Species
Australian Pike
Sphyraena novaehollandiae
Also known as Australian barracuda · arrow barracuda · Australian sea pike · sea pike · snook · shortfin barracuda
Tier 5Eating4/10ultralight tackleNSWVICSAWATAS
1 waypoint30–60 cm (max 90 cm) typical
Overview: about australian pike
Small inshore barracuda of southern Australian estuaries, bays and reef edges — not the European freshwater pike. Targeted with small metals, hardbodies and soft plastics around weed beds and structure. Sharp teeth — use a short wire or heavy fluoro trace.
Biology: Australian Pike size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Estuary, Inshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 30–60 cm (max 90 cm)
- Weight
- 0.5–2 kg (max 5 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–30 m
- Diet
- small baitfish, squid
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Various — long-finned pike (Dinolestes lewini) inshore; longtom (Tylosurus spp.) tropical surface
How to target: Australian Pike angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- small metal slugs and jerk-shad plastics over weedy inshore reef
- live yakkas or whitebait under a float
Safety & handling
Often used as live or strip bait for kingfish, snapper, mulloway.
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern
'Pike' vernacular in AU not the same as Northern Hemisphere Esox — flag for editorial clarity.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught australian pike
No australian pike catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: australian pike fishing spots in Australia
Victoria1
More information: australian pike references & sources
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