Anchoring on a Fingermark school accidentally

While the wife planned a no fishing boat trip, I accidentally anchored on a Fingermark school. And all hell broke loose as I jigged up four from four.

Although as you’ll see in the video, perhaps it wasn’t so “accidental”.

Golden Snapper or Fingermark are a delicious food fish and great sportsfish to boot.

Taking home a feed is not hard after anchoring on a Fingermark School.

When traversing rubble pads and other uneven ground keep an eye on your fish finder. There's nothing more exciting than anchoring on a fingermark school, dropping down a jig and waiting for your drag to scream.

Fingermark (otherwise known as Golden Snapper in the territory) have a very characteristic bite. In other words they kill their live bait first before they eat it.

They grab it by killing it with a few "chops" (hence why they are called chopper). It's like they're chopping your bait up.

Then they engulf it! Unlike their close relative the mangrove jack they don't really bolt for cover. They just take off!

If they snag you up it's because the snag has gotten in the road rather than them being a dirty fighter.

Trolling can be a good alternative to anchoring on a fingermark school

When anchoring on a fingermark school in deep water you've got very little to worry about. Because they are not a dirty fighter. Unless you're fishing in tight to a wreck or other structure.

They aggregate in good numbers and swan around together as can be seen in this underwater video. It shows a fingermark school taken in the Hinchinbrook channel.

I use the same gear when anchoring on a fingermark school as I use for barra. Spin rods are capable of retrieving a bit more line quicker whereas the bait caster is lighter so you can jig all day. It really is horses for courses and I cover the options in a previous blog on gear for chasing barra.

We have a comprehensive course on Finding and catching fingermark/Golden Snapper as part of our Fish Smarter online fishing courses.

RMF UNPLUGGED: Accidentally anchoring on a Fingermark School

The wife had decided that we needed a break from fishing and filming and wanted to go chill on a beach and go exploring with NO FISHING.

In this fun behind the scenes video, we had a minor boat issue with the genset impeller and had to anchor in the channel.

Well... I had to stop somewhere so I pulled up "accidentally" anchoring on a fingermark school.

To see what happened next watch the video.

Trouble seeing fish on your fish finder?

Check out our Sounder Skills 1 online course by clicking the yellow button;

If you enjoyed our tips and would like to see more, enter your name and email and sign up for our free fishing community. We send new tips fortnightly, plus you'll go in the draw to win a barra charter with master angler Ryan Moody.