Species
Red Bass
Lutjanus bohar
Also known as two-spot red snapper · twinspot snapper · bohar snapper
Tier 5Eating0/10medium tackleQLDWANT
1 waypoint40–70 cm (max 90 cm) typical
Regulations
QLDbag 0
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| QLD | — | 0 |
Closed: NO TAKE — high ciguatera risk species | ||
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about red bass
Tropical reef snapper of the Coral Sea, GBR and northern reefs. Hits hard on jigs and live baits but is widely associated with ciguatera poisoning across northern Australia — generally not eaten, and prohibited in many areas. Best treated as catch-and-release.
Biology: Red Bass size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Offshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 40–70 cm (max 90 cm)
- Weight
- 2–7 kg (max 13 kg)
- Depth range
- 4–180 m
- Diet
- reef fish, squid, crustaceans
- Most active
- crepuscular
- Global range
- Indo-Pacific tropical reefs (Lutjanus bohar)
How to target: Red Bass angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- (catch-and-release only) — squid baits over coral reef in 20-60m
Safety & handling
Inedible — toxicDo not consume. This species carries toxins that survive cooking.
Ciguatera risk: highAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
DO NOT EAT — among the most ciguatera-prone species worldwide. No-take in QLD.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught red bass
No red bass catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: red bass fishing spots in Australia
Queensland1
More information: red bass references & sources
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