Open Year-Round
Southern Garfish
Hyporhamphus melanochir
Also known as: Garfish, Gar, Beakie
DPIRD Category
Other Finfish
Peak Season
Year round
Difficulty
Easy
Fight Rating
★☆☆☆☆
Regulations & Limits
OTHER FINFISH
Limits by Bioregion
West Coast
OPEN
Min Size
—
Individual Limit
30 fish
Mixed Limit
Within 30 other finfish total
✓ Open year-round.
South Coast
OPEN
Min Size
—
Individual Limit
30 fish
Mixed Limit
Within 30 other finfish total
✓ Open year-round.
Gascoyne
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Pilbara
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
North Coast (Kimberley)
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Good to Know
- Part of garfish group (includes southern and robust garfish)
- No minimum size
- Southern garfish reopened in Perth metro March 2024
ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au
Size & Weight
| Typical Size | 25 cm |
| Max Size | 40 cm |
| Typical Weight | 0 kg |
| Max Weight | 0 kg |
Habitat
Where: Coastal bays, seagrass beds, jetties
Depth: 0-10m
ID Features: Silver elongated body, distinctive long lower jaw (beak)
Season
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak
Available
Poor
Peak: Year round | Water Temp: 14 – 22°C
How to Catch Southern Garfish
1
Float fishing
Setup
- Line: PE0.4-0.6 / 2-4kg
- Leader: 6-10lb fluoro
Top Lures
- Not typically caught on lures
Best Baits
- Bread
- Dough
- Maggots
- Small prawns
Eating Quality
Flesh: White
Best cooked: Whole fried (excellent bait)
The Fight
Delicate