Open Year-Round

Snook

Sphyraena novaehollandiae

Also known as: Snook, Pike, Short-finned Pike

DPIRD Category Nearshore/Estuarine Finfish
Peak Season Year round
Difficulty Easy
Fight Rating ★★★☆☆
Snook

Regulations & Limits

NEARSHORE/ESTUARINE FINFISH

Limits by Bioregion

West Coast OPEN
Min Size 300mm
Individual Limit 8 fish
Mixed Limit Within 16 nearshore total
✓ Open year-round.
South Coast OPEN
Min Size 300mm
Individual Limit 8 fish
Mixed Limit Within 16 nearshore total
✓ Open year-round.
Gascoyne OPEN
Min Size 300mm
Individual Limit 8 fish
Mixed Limit Within 16 nearshore total
✓ Open year-round.
Pilbara N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
North Coast (Kimberley) OPEN
Min Size 300mm
Individual Limit 8 fish
Mixed Limit Within 16 nearshore total
✓ Open year-round.

Good to Know

  • Also includes striped barracuda (S. obtusata)

ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au

Size & Weight

Typical Size40 cm
Max Size70 cm
Typical Weight1 kg
Max Weight4 kg

Habitat

Where: Estuaries, coastal waters, around bait schools

Depth: 0-30m

ID Features: Long silver body, distinctive jaws with sharp teeth, dark stripe

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 Snook

1

Casting

Setup

  • Line: PE1-1.5 / 6-10kg
  • Leader: 20-30lb fluoro

Top Lures

  • Metal slugs 15-30g
  • Soft plastics 3-4inch
  • Small poppers

Best Baits

  • Whitebait
  • Pilchards
  • Prawns

Eating Quality

★★★☆☆ Fair

Flesh: White

Best cooked: Pan fried (remove red flesh)

The Fight

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Aggressive strikes

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