One of the author's most memorable casts ever; this stickbait accounted for two large Green Jobfish on the same lure on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Green Jobfish
Aprion virescens
Home
Other Species
Green Jobfish Description
Green Jobfish (known as "Uku" in Hawaiian) are a member of the Snapper family and are found in tropical locations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans from Africa to Hawaii. If you don't think they look like other snappers, it's probably because they are the only species in their genus Aprion. Green Jobfish are not usually targeted specifically, but are a welcome by-catch when fishing on many reefs in the tropics.
Green Jobfish are generally found around and above reefs, from mid-water to the surface. They max out around 30lbs but are typically much smaller especially in more heavily fished areas. They are solitary fish, but sometimes form loose schools. They eat smaller fish, crustaceans such as shrimp, and cephalopods such as octopus among other things. They are an inquisitive fish, often coming out to inspect divers and snorkelers in areas where they are not heavily pressured.
Green Jobfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Green Jobfish are not as good as other snapper species at bricking you in the rocks when hooked. Their bodies are a little more slender shaped. They do put up a very solid fight for their size though.
Green Jobfish Culinary Rating - High
Green Jobfish are fun to eat, but in some areas can carry Ciguatera poisoning, so it is worth checking that out if you plan to eat a larger one.
Aprion virescens
Home
Other Species
Green Jobfish Description
Green Jobfish (known as "Uku" in Hawaiian) are a member of the Snapper family and are found in tropical locations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans from Africa to Hawaii. If you don't think they look like other snappers, it's probably because they are the only species in their genus Aprion. Green Jobfish are not usually targeted specifically, but are a welcome by-catch when fishing on many reefs in the tropics.
Green Jobfish are generally found around and above reefs, from mid-water to the surface. They max out around 30lbs but are typically much smaller especially in more heavily fished areas. They are solitary fish, but sometimes form loose schools. They eat smaller fish, crustaceans such as shrimp, and cephalopods such as octopus among other things. They are an inquisitive fish, often coming out to inspect divers and snorkelers in areas where they are not heavily pressured.
Green Jobfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Green Jobfish are not as good as other snapper species at bricking you in the rocks when hooked. Their bodies are a little more slender shaped. They do put up a very solid fight for their size though.
Green Jobfish Culinary Rating - High
Green Jobfish are fun to eat, but in some areas can carry Ciguatera poisoning, so it is worth checking that out if you plan to eat a larger one.
A big Green Jobfish caught in a shallow reef area on a Heru Cubera popper in Madagascar
Green Jobfish Tackle
Although not the most powerful fish on the reef, these fish are not pushovers and they will break you off in the rocks if you let them. In general, I would go with a minimum of 50lb braid with a 50lb flourocarbon leader and a Daiwa Saltiga 4500 spinning reel or equivalent. Click here for tackle recommendations.
Green Jobfish Techniques
Green Jobfish can be caught in a variety of ways including bottom fishing, trolling, and casting. As mentioned above, they are usually caught when fishing for other species.
Although not the most powerful fish on the reef, these fish are not pushovers and they will break you off in the rocks if you let them. In general, I would go with a minimum of 50lb braid with a 50lb flourocarbon leader and a Daiwa Saltiga 4500 spinning reel or equivalent. Click here for tackle recommendations.
Green Jobfish Techniques
Green Jobfish can be caught in a variety of ways including bottom fishing, trolling, and casting. As mentioned above, they are usually caught when fishing for other species.
A beautiful specimen caught speed jigging in Madagascar
Green Jobfish Lures
Green Jobfish can be caught on a variety of soft plastics, metal jigs, and stickbaits. They will even come up to hit a popper on the surface. The two caught in the photo above were taken on a Heru Bobara stickbait.
Green Jobfish can also be caught by trolling swimming minnow plugs such as Rapalas, although that is not the most fun way to fish for them.
Green Jobfish Baits
A live baitfish will work great, but they will also take dead baits such as whole or cut squid or shrimp or octopus. If you drop any of those near the bottom on a tropical reef you should catch a whole host of species including Green Jobfish.
Where to get the big Green Jobfish.
Green Jobfish are widespread, but not particularly numerous in any one location that I know of. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has some nice ones.
Green Jobfish can be caught on a variety of soft plastics, metal jigs, and stickbaits. They will even come up to hit a popper on the surface. The two caught in the photo above were taken on a Heru Bobara stickbait.
Green Jobfish can also be caught by trolling swimming minnow plugs such as Rapalas, although that is not the most fun way to fish for them.
Green Jobfish Baits
A live baitfish will work great, but they will also take dead baits such as whole or cut squid or shrimp or octopus. If you drop any of those near the bottom on a tropical reef you should catch a whole host of species including Green Jobfish.
Where to get the big Green Jobfish.
Green Jobfish are widespread, but not particularly numerous in any one location that I know of. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has some nice ones.
A Green Jobfish caught at Likiep Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands a number of years ago