Open Year-Round
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis
DPIRD Category
Nearshore / Estuarine
Peak Season
October - April
Difficulty
Intermediate
Fight Rating
★★★☆☆
Regulations & Limits
NEARSHORE / ESTUARINE
Limits by Bioregion
West Coast
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
South Coast
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
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
ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au
Size & Weight
| Typical Size | 35-50 cm |
| Max Size | 100 cm |
| Typical Weight | 1-4 kg |
| Max Weight | 20 kg |
Habitat
Where: Floating debris, FADs, channel markers and structure in warm coastal waters
Depth: Surface to 20m
ID Features: Rounded dorsal and anal fins that extend back to look like three tails, mottled brown/black colouring
Season
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak
Available
Poor
Peak: October - April | Water Temp: 24-30°C
How to Catch Tripletail
1
Sight casting
Setup
- Line: PE 1-3
- Leader: 30-50lb fluorocarbon
Top Lures
- Small soft plastics
- Fly
Best Baits
- Live prawns
- Small live fish
Eating Quality
Flesh: White, firm, sweet flesh often compared to snapper
Best cooked: Pan-fried, grilled, baked
The Fight
Surprisingly strong for their size with powerful head shakes and short dashes. Their unique appearance makes them a memorable catch.