Species › Australia & New Zealand › Kahawai

Saltwater

Kahawai

Arripis trutta · Australian salmon, eastern Australian salmon, kahawai

Water temp
55–68°F
Peak season
Nov–Mar
Best light
Daytime
IGFA record
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Kahawai (Arripis trutta by Frank Edward Clarke.jpg)

Photo: Frank Edward Clarke · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

OverviewWhere & WhenHow to CatchGearRegulationsRecordsForecastCatches

Overview

Kahawai are streamlined, silver-green fish with dark speckling on the back, a forked tail and a surprising turn of speed, found around New Zealand and, as Australian salmon, along Australia's southeast coast. They school in surf zones, harbor entrances and river mouths from spring to autumn, chasing anchovies, pilchards and whitebait and often boiling at the surface under working birds. Not true salmon at all, they fight with long runs and aerial leaps that make them a prized light-tackle and fly-rod target, while their abundance makes them a first fish for countless young anglers.

Typical size2–6 lb (0.9–2.7 kg); 16–24 in
Trophy12 lb+ (5.4 kg); 15 lb+ is exceptional
Table fareFair — good smoked or bled and iced immediately; otherwise strong-flavored

Where & when

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Kahawai move inshore as water warms from October and peak in January–March when baitfish crowd river mouths and harbors; they thin out over winter in the south.

Bay of Plenty, New ZealandSurface schools along beaches and river mouths all summerMotu River mouth, New ZealandEast Cape surf-casting classic for big kahawaiKaipara Harbour, New ZealandHuge northern harbor; kahawai in channels and entrance

How to catch

Spinning metal luresCast 20–40 g slices and metal jigs into surf gutters, river mouths and feeding schools under birds and retrieve fast with the rod low. Vary the speed until fish react; kahawai often follow a lure to your feet before hitting.
Fly fishing river mouthsOn an outgoing tide at a river mouth, strip baitfish streamers and small white flies on an intermediate line through the current seam where fresh and salt water meet. Kahawai take on the swing and jump repeatedly, so keep the rod low.

Gear

Rod7–9' medium spin rated 10–40 g, or 8-wt fly rod
Reel3000–4000 spinning or 8-wt fly reel
Line15–20 lb braid; 20 lb fluorocarbon leader

Lures

metal slices and jigssoft plastics on jigheadsbaitfish streamer flies

Baits

pilchardwhitebaitsquid stripsanchovy

Regulations

No license is needed for sea fishing in New Zealand, but kahawai are included in the combined daily bag limit, which varies by fishing area. In Australia, Australian salmon fall under each state's size and bag rules.

Records

IGFA all-tackle world record: not listed. State and regional records are kept by each fish & wildlife agency.

Frequently asked

Are kahawai good to eat?

They can be, if bled and iced the moment they come aboard and eaten fresh or smoked; left unbled in a bucket they turn soft and strong. Kahawai is a staple of New Zealand smokehouses and makes excellent fish cakes and sashimi when handled properly. Many anglers release them because they are better sport than table fare.

Bite forecast — Kahawai

Recent catches

Posted by anglers on the live map, filtered to Kahawai.

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