Species
Maori Cod
Epinephelus undulatostriatus
Tier 4Eating7/10medium tackleQLDWANT
11 waypoints40–70 cm (max 110 cm) typical
Overview: about maori cod
Inshore reef rockcod of the east coast, especially northern NSW and southern QLD. Targeted with bait and jigs over rocky reef and broken bottom. Often a reef-edge bycatch — fights hard for its size and is generally tough on heavier gear.
Biology: Maori Cod size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 40–70 cm (max 110 cm)
- Weight
- 2–8 kg (max 20 kg)
- Depth range
- 5–60 m
- Diet
- reef fish, octopus, crabs
- Most active
- crepuscular
- Global range
- Indo-Pacific tropical reefs (Epinephelus undulatostriatus / various)
How to target: Maori Cod angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- live fusiliers or whole squid baits dropped onto coral bommies
- soft plastics worked along reef edges
Safety & handling
Ciguatera risk: moderateAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
Larger groupers in tropics elevated ciguatera risk.
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern
Several lookalike species share 'maori cod' vernacular — flag for review.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught maori cod
No maori cod catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: maori cod fishing spots in Australia
Queensland11
- 18 mile SouthReef · QLD-26.58°
- 21 mile edge of the Barwon Banks in MiddleReef · QLD-26.55°
- 85m Ridge of the Barwon BanksReef · QLD-26.47°
- Caloundra Wide Northern endReef · QLD-26.70°
- Caloundra Wide South Western endReef · QLD-26.85°
- Cape Moreton TrenchReef · QLD-26.93°
- Deep Little ShipReef · QLD-26.30°
- Deep Tempest Reef off Cape MoretonReef · QLD-27.12°
- Mooloolaba WideReef · QLD-26.60°
- North of Hutchison ShoalsShoal · QLD-26.92°
- Southern Little Ships MarksReef · QLD-26.38°
More information: maori cod references & sources
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