Species
Samson Fish
Seriola hippos
Tier 3Eating6/10heavy tackleNSWVICSAWA
38 waypoints80–140 cm (max 200 cm) typical
Regulations
WAbag 1
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| WA | — | 1 |
Closed: West Coast Demersal closures may apply | ||
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about samson fish
Big southern kingfish cousin found from WA across SA and around to NSW. The aggregations off Rottnest Island are world-famous — targeted by jigging and live-baiting deep reef in summer. Brutal, untiring fighters — almost always tag-and-release in WA.
Biology: Samson Fish size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Offshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 80–140 cm (max 200 cm)
- Weight
- 10–30 kg (max 65 kg)
- Depth range
- 10–250 m
- Diet
- reef fish, squid, baitfish
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Southern Australia, Tasman Sea, NZ (Seriola hippos)
How to target: Samson Fish angling strategies
Generally fished with heavy tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- heavy knife and mechanical jigs over offshore reef in 50-150m off Rottnest
- live yakkas slow-trolled around offshore reef pinnacles
- stickbaits cast at sighted fish around isolated bommies
Safety & handling
Common WA target for jigging — many fish released.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught samson fish
No samson fish catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: samson fish fishing spots in Australia
Western Australia18
- Albany - Princess Royal HarbourEstuary · WA-35.03°
- Bunbury Artificial ReefReef · WA-33.27°
- Cape LeeuwinHeadland · WA-34.37°
- Centaur ReefReef · WA-28.63°
- Cheynes Beach OffshoreReef · WA-34.88°
- Five Fathom BankBait Ground · WA-32.16°
- Houtman Abrolhos IslandsReef · WA-28.72°
- Jurien LumpShoal · WA-30.28°
- Lancelin LumpShoal · WA-31.02°
- Lighthouse LumpShoal · WA-28.78°
- Mandurah Artificial ReefReef · WA-32.52°
- Mewstone ReefReef · WA-31.67°
- Quobba StationRock Platform · WA-24.48°
- Rottnest Island - Strickland BayBay · WA-32.02°
- Sanko Harvest WreckWreck · WA-34.02°
- Steep PointRock Platform · WA-26.16°
- Three Mile ReefReef · WA-31.93°
- Two Rocks FADBait Ground · WA-31.50°
South Australia13
- Cape CatastropheHeadland · SA-34.99°
- Cape SpencerHeadland · SA-35.29°
- Donington ReefReef · SA-34.70°
- Greenly IslandReef · SA-34.65°
- Margaret Brock ReefReef · SA-36.97°
- Marion Reef (Yorke)Reef · SA-35.05°
- Pearson IslandReef · SA-33.95°
- Seal Rock (Port Lincoln)Reef · SA-34.75°
- Topgallant IslandsReef · SA-33.72°
- Tumby LumpShoal · SA-34.46°
- Wedge Island (Eyre)Reef · SA-35.15°
- Wedge Island LedgesReef · SA-35.15°
- Williams IslandReef · SA-35.02°
Queensland4
More information: samson fish references & sources
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