Fingermark aka golden snapper

Size and possession limits:

For up-to-date information on size and possession limits visit QLD Fisheries.

Targeting:

Fingermark (or golden snapper if you're from the Northern Territory) are one of the most sought-after species in the Mackay area. These fish fight hard, taste great and look amazing in photos. However, they are also crafty and easily spooked. Drop one fish, and the school will usually spook. Land one though, and there's usually more.

The number one tip when chasing fingermark is timing – these fish feed more at night and the hour on either side of dawn is usually the hottest bite time. Offshore, they can be caught around isolated rocky structure between 30m and 50m deep. Jigs work well, with soft plastics and vibes being popular. If bait is more your thing, then take the time to get live bait. Live squid has always been the go-to fingermak bait but catching them isn’t easy and can be messy. For this reason, squid-style soft plastics are popular.

Inshore, fingermark can be caught trolling and jigging deep holes in creeks, around rock bars and around deep rubble patches. Small fish can be caught in the snags when casting for barra and jacks.