Mangrove Jack illustration
Species

Mangrove Jack

Lutjanus argentimaculatus
Also known as mangrove red snapper · grey snapper · creek red bream · Stuart evader · dog bream · purple sea perch · red bream · red perch
Tier 1Eating9/10medium tackleNSWQLDWANT
48 waypoints30–50 cm (max 120 cm) typical

Regulations

NSW35 cm min · bag 5QLD35 cm min · bag 5WA30 cm min · bag 3NT35 cm min · bag 5
StateSizeBag
NSW35 cm min5
QLD35 cm min5
WA30 cm min3
NT35 cm min5

Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.

Overview: about mangrove jack

Tough estuary ambush predator of QLD, northern NSW, NT and northern WA. Targeted with hardbodies, soft plastics and live baits cast tight to snags, rock bars and mangrove roots. Hits hard and bricks fast — heavy braid, short leaders and quick hands are essential.

Biology: Mangrove Jack size, diet & habitat

Habitat
Estuary, Inshore, Reef, River
Typical size
30–50 cm (max 120 cm)
Weight
0.8–3 kg (max 18 kg)
Depth range
0–100 m
Diet
prawns, mullet, small reef fish, crabs
Most active
crepuscular
Global range
Indo-West Pacific tropics (Lutjanus argentimaculatus)

How to target: Mangrove Jack angling strategies

Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.

  • live mullet or prawns under a bobby cork hard against snag lines on a falling tide
  • soft plastics and shallow hardbodies cast tight to mangrove roots and timber
  • trolling deep-diving hardbodies along snag edges in tropical rivers
  • topwater walkers in shallow creek mouths at dawn
  • fresh squid baits on reef and rubble bottom for larger offshore fish

Best season: when to catch mangrove jack in Australia

QLD
Oct-May (estuaries); year-round (offshore reefs)
NT
Mar-Nov (build-up best)

Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.

Safety & handling

Ciguatera risk: lowAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.

Razor-sharp canines and gill rakers; lip grip and use long pliers.

In the same waters
  • saltwater crocodiles in NT/QLD/WA tropical estuaries

Recent community catches: anglers who caught mangrove jack

No mangrove jack catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.

Where to catch: mangrove jack fishing spots in Australia

Queensland27
Northern Territory10
Western Australia10
New South Wales1

More information: mangrove jack references & sources

Log catch