Bluespotted Coral Trout
Plectropomus laevis
Also known as: Footballer Coral Trout, Chinese Footballer, Tiger Trout, Oceanic Coral Trout
Regulations & Limits
⚖️ Mixed Species Limit Applies
Bluespotted Coral Trout count towards your total demersal scalefish bag limit. You can keep a maximum of 2 demersal scalefish total statewide.
Limits by Bioregion
Good to Know
- Part of coral trout group
- Two colour phases - 'footballer' and spotted
- Ciguatera risk - avoid large specimens from certain reefs
- Grows to 1.25m, 25kg
- Lives up to 20 years
ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au
Size & Weight
| Typical Size | 50-80 cm |
| Max Size | 125 cm |
| Typical Weight | 5-12 kg |
| Max Weight | 25 kg |
Habitat
Where: Coral lagoons, reef channels, outer reef slopes
Depth: 4-100m
ID Features: Two colour phases - "Footballer" (white with black bars, yellow fins) and spotted form (red-brown with blue spots). Largest of the coral trouts.
Season
Peak: Year-Round | Water Temp: 24 – 29°C
How to Catch Bluespotted Coral Trout
Bottom Fishing / Jigging
Setup
- Line: PE3-5 / 25-40lb braid
- Leader: 50-80lb fluorocarbon
Targeting Tips
Eating Quality
Flesh: White, firm, sweet
Best cooked: Steamed, pan-fried, baked
The Fight
Strong fighter that heads for cover. Larger than Common Coral Trout so expect a harder battle. Keep pressure on to prevent reef lock-up.