Queenfish
Scomberoides lysan
Queenfish Description
Queenfish are a fantastic sportfish found in Australia as well as other parts of the South Pacific. They are aggressive, not particularly picky when it comes to lures or bait, and put up a tremendous fight that belies their thin frame. They enter creeks and rivers as juveniles and graduate to coastal rocks and structure a little farther offshore as they get bigger. The biggest ones reach about 4 ft in length and are a handful on medium spinning tackle.
Queenfish fight so hard and are so spent that they are sometimes difficult to release alive, especially if caught on light tackle. They have sharp spines that deliver a painful wound to the unwary angler. In some places their highly reflective skin is used to make home made lures.
Queenfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7.5 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Queenfish are thin, but they are very strong. They also make some tremendous leaps trying to shake the hook. You are in for a fun fight if you hook one.
Queenfish Culinary Rating - Low
Queenfish are not known for their eating qualities and are often released.
Queenfish Tackle
Queenfish do not typically head into structure when hooked, so you can get away with relatively light tackle. However, as noted above this may prolong the fight and cause them to be too tired to release. They have good eyesight and are harder to fool if you are using wire. A Daiwa Certate reel in the 3000 size loaded with 30 or 50lb braided line and a 30lb leader is a fine choice for the big ones.
Queenfish Techniques
When looking for Queenfish, look for moving water with heavy current where they are right at home. River mouths are often good because water is constantly pouring out. Queenfish can be caught on a variety of lures provided that they are worked quickly. If a lure is slowed or paused they generally lose interest. If fishing with lures, fish fast. They can be caught in any part of the water column from the surface to the bottom. Once located, they usually strike aggressively at first and then wise up after a few are caught.
Queenfish Lures
Poppers are a fun way to fish for Queenfish and a good way to locate them. A variety of stickbaits and jerkbaits such as the sinking Sebile Stick Shadd are good mid-water choices, while a variety of metal and plastic jigs can be worked vertically for them. Whatever you use, work it in a fast and erratic manner or it will not keep their interest. They are typically not that fussy when it comes to eating.
Queenfish Baits
I have never fished for them with bait but I hear that most baitfish will work, and the livelier the better.
Where to Catch Big Queenfish
North Queensland in Australia has some big ones. They are a fairly abundant fish since they are not typically targeted commercially or by recreational fishermen looking for a meal.
These guides can put you on them:
John Campbell http://www.jcsfishing.com.au/
Clint Isaac www.oznbeyondsportfishing.com.au)
Scomberoides lysan
Queenfish Description
Queenfish are a fantastic sportfish found in Australia as well as other parts of the South Pacific. They are aggressive, not particularly picky when it comes to lures or bait, and put up a tremendous fight that belies their thin frame. They enter creeks and rivers as juveniles and graduate to coastal rocks and structure a little farther offshore as they get bigger. The biggest ones reach about 4 ft in length and are a handful on medium spinning tackle.
Queenfish fight so hard and are so spent that they are sometimes difficult to release alive, especially if caught on light tackle. They have sharp spines that deliver a painful wound to the unwary angler. In some places their highly reflective skin is used to make home made lures.
Queenfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7.5 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Queenfish are thin, but they are very strong. They also make some tremendous leaps trying to shake the hook. You are in for a fun fight if you hook one.
Queenfish Culinary Rating - Low
Queenfish are not known for their eating qualities and are often released.
Queenfish Tackle
Queenfish do not typically head into structure when hooked, so you can get away with relatively light tackle. However, as noted above this may prolong the fight and cause them to be too tired to release. They have good eyesight and are harder to fool if you are using wire. A Daiwa Certate reel in the 3000 size loaded with 30 or 50lb braided line and a 30lb leader is a fine choice for the big ones.
Queenfish Techniques
When looking for Queenfish, look for moving water with heavy current where they are right at home. River mouths are often good because water is constantly pouring out. Queenfish can be caught on a variety of lures provided that they are worked quickly. If a lure is slowed or paused they generally lose interest. If fishing with lures, fish fast. They can be caught in any part of the water column from the surface to the bottom. Once located, they usually strike aggressively at first and then wise up after a few are caught.
Queenfish Lures
Poppers are a fun way to fish for Queenfish and a good way to locate them. A variety of stickbaits and jerkbaits such as the sinking Sebile Stick Shadd are good mid-water choices, while a variety of metal and plastic jigs can be worked vertically for them. Whatever you use, work it in a fast and erratic manner or it will not keep their interest. They are typically not that fussy when it comes to eating.
Queenfish Baits
I have never fished for them with bait but I hear that most baitfish will work, and the livelier the better.
Where to Catch Big Queenfish
North Queensland in Australia has some big ones. They are a fairly abundant fish since they are not typically targeted commercially or by recreational fishermen looking for a meal.
These guides can put you on them:
John Campbell http://www.jcsfishing.com.au/
Clint Isaac www.oznbeyondsportfishing.com.au)
