Species
Bar-cheek Coral Trout
Plectropomus maculatus
Tier 2Eating10/10medium tackleQLDWANT
0 waypoints40–60 cm (max 80 cm) typical
Regulations
QLD38 cm min · bag 5
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| QLD | 38 cm min | 5 |
combined coral trout limit; max 80 cm | ||
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about bar-cheek coral trout
Inshore coral trout of the GBR and northern Australia, smaller than common coral trout and often the inshore version. Caught on live baits, soft plastics and trolled minnows around bommies and inshore reef. Top-tier table fish.
Biology: Bar-cheek Coral Trout size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 40–60 cm (max 80 cm)
- Weight
- 1–5 kg
- Depth range
- 5–60 m
- Diet
- fish, crustaceans
- Global range
- Western Pacific
How to target: Bar-cheek Coral Trout angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- live baits around bommies
- soft plastics on heavy jigheads
- trolled deep minnows
Safety & handling
Ciguatera risk: moderateAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught bar-cheek coral trout
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More information: bar-cheek coral trout references & sources
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