Species
Southern Rock Lobster
Jasus edwardsii
Also known as red rock lobster · spiny rock lobster
Tier 2Eating10/10ultralight tackleVICSATAS
1 waypoint~10–14 cm typical
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Range & spots
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Overview: about southern rock lobster
Cool-water spiny lobster of southern Australia — SA, VIC, TAS and southern WA. Taken by recreational divers and pot fishers under strict licence, size, season and zone rules in each state. Premier table crustacean — verify rules and tagging before heading out.
Biology: Southern Rock Lobster size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Offshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 10–14 cm (max 25 cm)
- Weight
- 0.5–1.5 kg (max 7 kg)
- Depth range
- 5–200 m
- Diet
- molluscs, urchins, dead fish
- Most active
- nocturnal
- Global range
- Southern Australia and NZ (Jasus edwardsii)
How to target: Southern Rock Lobster angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- lobster pots baited with fish frames set on rocky reef edges overnight
- diving and hand-collecting from rocky ledges in shallow reef (where lawful)
Best season: when to catch southern rock lobster in Australia
- VIC
- Nov-May (when open)
- TAS
- Nov-Aug (varies by region)
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Where to catch: southern rock lobster fishing spots in Australia
One mapped fishing location for southern rock lobster across Australia, covering estuary fishing and offshore and bluewater fishing. Each location below links through to access notes and coordinates.