Overview
Queen snapper, properly blue morwong, hold on deep limestone reef and ledges across southern Australia.
They are structure-bound and rarely move far, so accurate positioning over a mark matters more than covering ground.
Their flesh is white, firm and highly regarded, and they are a prized bycatch of dhufish fishing in WA.
Where to find them
- ▸Deep limestone ledges and caves in 30–80 m.
- ▸Broken reef edges adjacent to sand.
- ▸Steep drop-offs off exposed southern coastline.
- ▸Same ground as dhufish and breaksea cod.
Tackle
- ▸Rod: 6'6" boat rod rated 8–15 kg.
- ▸Line: 30–50 lb braid with 60 lb leader.
- ▸Rig: paternoster with 5/0 circles, octopus or squid baits; slow-pitch jigs 150–250 g.
Tips from the water
- ▸Anchor or hold position precisely over the mark — a 20 m drift misses the fish.
- ▸Use a release weight; barotrauma is severe from 50 m plus.
- ▸Fresh octopus is the standout bait.
Regulations
Size, bag and possession limits differ between states and can change each season. Check the current rules with your state fisheries authority before keeping a fish.