Overview
Leatherjackets are the reason your bait keeps disappearing without a bite, but their sweet white flesh makes them worth targeting deliberately.
They have small, hard beaks that require tiny hooks and tough baits, and a spine on the head that locks upright.
Numerous species occur around Australia, from small reef jackets to the large chinaman leatherjacket.
Where to find them
- ▸Rocky reef and weed edges in 5–30 m.
- ▸Jetty pylons and marina structure.
- ▸Kelp beds along southern coastlines.
- ▸Around any berley trail over reef.
Tackle
- ▸Rod: light 6'6"–7' spin.
- ▸Line: 10 lb braid with 10–12 lb leader.
- ▸Rig: size 8–4 long-shank hooks with tough squid or prawn baits.
Tips from the water
- ▸Use long-shank hooks — jackets bite through short-shank knots.
- ▸Strike early; they nibble rather than run.
- ▸Skin them rather than scale them; the fillets are superb.
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.