Overview
Blackspot tuskfish live over coral rubble and broken bottom, crushing crabs and shellfish with heavy teeth.
They hit hard and immediately bolt for cover, so they are lost far more often than they are landed.
Their thick white fillets are outstanding and highly prized across northern Australia.
Where to find them
- ▸Coral rubble and broken bottom in 10–30 m.
- ▸Edges of reef systems adjacent to sand.
- ▸Inshore shoals in tropical bays.
- ▸Isolated bommies surrounded by rubble.
Tackle
- ▸Rod: 6'6" boat rod rated 10–15 kg.
- ▸Line: 40–50 lb braid with 60–80 lb leader.
- ▸Bait: whole crab, squid or prawn on 5/0 circles.
Tips from the water
- ▸Lift the fish immediately after hook-up before it reaches cover.
- ▸Crab baits dramatically out-fish everything else.
- ▸Handle carefully — the teeth are genuinely dangerous.
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.