Coral Trout

(Plectropoma Maculatum)

Common Names

Coral Trout are simply known as Trout in northern waters. They are unrelated to the freshwater Trout.

Description

Coloration varies greatly between the species and locations, from greenish-brown in shallwo water through to bright-red in deeper water; they always have an overlay of blue or red spots. Their eyes are red are the elongated pupil. The fins usually carry the same colors as the body, and are spotted or marbled. After death, the color fades to pinkish-brown. Both jaws have narrow bands of small sharp teeth - so watch your fingers!

Size

Most Coral Trout caught in Australia weigh around 1.0-6.0 kilos. They can reach a size of 30.0-35.0 kilos.

Habitat

The Coral Trout is a tropical reef dwelling fish; sometimes it strays into sub-tropical waters. The biggest Coral trout are found well off-shore. They are bottom-dwelling fish but sometimes they hunt many maters clear off the seabed. They prefer warm, clear water and avoid turbid or discolored water.

Feeding

Coral Trout are fierce territorial predators which feed on smaller reef fish, but they will also hunt prawns, crayfish, crabs, squid, octopus and cuttlefish. They don't really school, except around spawning time.

Fishing Techniques

The bulk of Coral Trout are taken by traditional bottom-fishing techniques. The fish fight hard and often head towards a clump of coral. Coral Trout will strike at all types of lures, dead baits and live fish. You have to get on top of them quick or say goodbye to them.

Fishing Tackle

Tackle for catching Coral Trout range from relatively heavy handlines in the 10.0-50.0 kilo range.

Eating

The Coral Trout is a superb eating fish. I myself think it is just behind the Barramundi taste wise. But if you catch one ober 8.0 kilos, you might be taking a chance eating it because of ciguatea poisoning.

Bag Limits

Western Australia 4 per day,Queensland 10 per day.

Legal Size

Western Australia -,Queensland 38cm.