Species
BARRAMUNDI Lates calcarifer
Has a soft and delicate white flesh; size is generally to 150cm and 60kg, minimum size limit of 58cm to maximum size limit of 120cm and has a closed season from 1st December to 1st February to allow for spawning. Starts life out living in Freshwater of rivers and creeks, then ventures downstream into estuaries and coastal shallows. They are well-known and sought-after for their aerobic abilities when hooked.
ESTUARY COD Epinephelus coioides
Commonly referred as `the coral trout of the estuaries`. The flesh is coarse yet creamy texture. Size up to 180cm and 100kg, minimum size limit is 35cm. Usually lives alone or in small groups, covering a variety of habitats from rivers and estuaries to offshore reefs.
FLATHEAD Platycephalidae
Size can be up to 120cm and 15kg. Highly-sort after for its SWEET yet small fillets. Bottom-dwelling fish of coastal bays & estuaries. Minimum size limit of 30cm to 60cm.
FINGERMARK Lutijanus johnil
Can grow up to 10kg in weight. Live mainly around mangrove-lined estuaries, to rocky headlands, but are mainly around the bottom of the snag. Has superb eating qualities - rated above the barramundi. Same family as the Mangrove Jack.
MANGROVE JACKS Lutjanus argentimaculatus
Can grow to 120cm and 16kg. Has a minimum size limit for 25cm. The juveniles live in the mangrove estuaries then when matured they prefer the shelters inshore coral reefs. For the fisher person they have excellent fighting abilities, as well as being a good quality table fish.
BLACK JEWFISH Protonibea diacanthus
Most common size to 150cm but has a size limit of 45cm to 120cm. Can live on sand and mud from the Continent shelf to inshore coastal habitats and estuaries. Well regarded as an angling fish for its fighting abilities. Good quality eating fish.
GRUNTER Pomodasys kaakan
Makes a characteristic `grunting` sound by grinding the teeth in the back of there throat. Can grow up to 70cm and 5kg. Has a minimum size limit of 30cm. The flesh is firm with a distinctive flavour.
MUD CRABS Scylla serrata
Prefer muddy bottoms amongst the mangrove, in swallow water. Pots or dillies are the main method of capture but will take bait from line fishing. In Queensland, only male are taken, with a minimum measurement of 15cm across the carapace. The cooked flesh is moist, flaky and sweet.
TREVALLY Carangoldes gymnostethus
Can grow up to 170cm and over 60kg. Live mainly in schools. A sought after angling tropical fish for eating qualities yet the flesh quality can vary between species from pale & dry to dark & oily.
QUEENFISH Scomberoides commersonnianus
They are vicious feeder and strong fighters. Often get schools in shallow water but generally alone. Can grow up to 120cm and 14kg. Target species for Sports Fishing. The larger ones are preferred to cook fresh.