Species
Jackass Morwong
Nemadactylus macropterus
Also known as tarakihi · deep sea perch
Tier 3Eating6/10light tackleNSWVICSATAS
36 waypoints~30–50 cm typical
Sign in
Community
Recently caught
Be the first.
No jackass morwong catches logged yet — log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch
Range & spots
No catches reported in the last 14 days.
Overview: about jackass morwong
Cool-water reef fish found across southern Australia from NSW around to WA, mostly in 30-200m. Targeted with bait over offshore reef and gravel bottom. Good table fish and a regular bycatch when chasing snapper and gummy shark.
Biology: Jackass Morwong size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Offshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 30–50 cm (max 70 cm)
- Weight
- 1–3 kg (max 6 kg)
- Depth range
- 10–200 m
- Diet
- crustaceans, worms, small fish
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Southern Australia and NZ (Cheilodactylus / Nemadactylus spp.)
How to target: Jackass Morwong angling strategies
Generally fished with light tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- squid or pilchard strips on a paternoster rig over offshore reef in 30-80m
- small soft plastics dropped over rubble bottom
Best season: when to catch jackass morwong in Australia
No seasonal pattern for jackass morwong yet. Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions — check state fisheries advice and recent local reports before planning a trip.
Where to catch: jackass morwong fishing spots in Australia
36 mapped fishing spots, marks and waypoints for jackass morwong across Australia, covering land-based fishing, rock fishing, estuary fishing and offshore and bluewater fishing. Each location below links through to access notes and coordinates.
New South Wales14
- 12 Mile ReefReef · NSW-33.87°
- Batemans Bay - Tollgate IslandsReef · NSW-35.74°
- Eden - Twofold BayBay · NSW-37.07°
- Long Reef WideReef · NSW-33.74°
- Port Macquarie Artificial ReefReef · NSW-31.45°
- SS Annie M Miller WreckWreck · NSW-34.85°
- SS Catterthun WreckWreck · NSW-32.49°
- SS Centurion WreckWreck · NSW-33.73°
- SS Myola WreckWreck · NSW-33.80°
- SS Undola WreckWreck · NSW-34.45°
- South West Solitary IslandReef · NSW-30.20°
- Sydney Offshore Artificial ReefReef · NSW-33.71°
- The 32 FathomReef · NSW-33.90°
- Twelve Mile Reef NewcastleReef · NSW-32.90°