Overview
The Australian Salmon (not related to northern hemisphere salmon) is one of the hardest fighting fish for its size. Arrives in huge schools along southern coasts, offering non-stop action. Perfect for beginners, fights hard and is easily caught on lures.
Identification
Large pectoral finsTwo dorsal spinesRough scalesDark spots along the body
- Body
- Streamlined body with a robust head and wide mouth.
- Colouration
- Bluish-green coloration on the back with silver sides and a white belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very evident
- Growth
- Rapid during juvenile stage, then average
Taxonomy
- Family
- Arripidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Arripis truttaceusArripis georgianusArripis xylabion
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- sand, gravel, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Along the southern coasts of Australia and New Zealand.
- Micro-habitat
- Prefers to hunt near the surface, often near natural barriers or in the surf.
Prefers clear waters, often around natural structures.
Presence by sea area
Au Costa Est TemperataPeak
Au Costa SudPeak
Au Costa Ovest TemperataPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small fish, crustaceans
- Secondary prey
- squid, shrimp
- Occasional prey
- larvae, plankton
- Feeding behaviour
- Hunts in groups, attacking prey en masse, often near the surface.
- Natural predators
- sharks, seals, cormorants
Diet varies with seasonal availability of prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Undergoes seasonal migrations along the coasts for spawning and food searching.
- Seasonal behaviour
- In warmer months, it approaches the shores, while in winter it migrates to deeper waters.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to stay in shallow waters, in large schools.
- Adults
- Adults actively hunt and move in schools in more open waters.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- September, October, November
- Spawning depth
- Between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic, transparent, floating eggs.
- Larval stage
- Fry develop quickly, feeding on small planktonic organisms.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Australian Salmon
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayDawn, Dusk
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
sandy beachesrocky shoresestuariespiers
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
spinningsurfcastingtrollinglive bait fishing
Other applicable
SpinningShore JiggingSurfcastingSurfcasting PesanteDriftingSpinning MedioTraina CostieraTrolling Oceanico
Recommended baits
artificial luressardinesshrimpsmall fish
Baits by pressure
Low
JerkbaitMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Metal slug / PilkerMinnow affondantePaddle tail softbaitPiuma biancaSabiki standard
Medium
Acciuga vivaSardina vivaGambero vivoTrancio di sardina
High
JerkbaitMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Metal slug / Pilker
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Energetic, with numerous jumps and sudden bursts.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid damaging the scales.
- Release
- Release promptly to reduce stress, preferably removing the hook in the water.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- Australian salmon catches can reach considerable sizes, with documented specimens up to 9 kg. This species is particularly popular in sport fishing in both Australia and New Zealand, where large specimens are considered prized trophies.
- In the kitchen
- Used in grilled and smoked dishes.
- Cultural notes
- Considered an important species for sport fishing due to its fighting ability.
- Historical notes
- Traditionally fished by coastal communities for generations.
