What is Hapuka called in Australia?

What is Hapuka called in Australia?

groper
The hāpuku, hapuka or whapuku (Polyprion oxygeneios), also known as groper, is a wreckfish of the family Polyprionidae, found around southern Australia, southern South America, South Africa, Tristan da Cunha and New Zealand at depths between 30 and 800 m.

What is butterfish in Victoria?

In Victoria, escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum and Ruvettus pretiosus) and rudderfish (Centrolophus sp.) are commonly marketed under the name ‘butterfish’.

Is Hapuka a deep sea fish?

This fish Polyprion oxygeneios is known as hapuka in the North Island and groper in the South Island. These unique species of the deep would have to be one of the most delicious of all fish to eat, and also at times, one of the most difiicult to catch.

Where is Hapuka caught?

Hapuku are found in deep offshore reefs around the continental slope across the southern portion of Australia. They are taken by trawlers and as bycatch of dropline fisheries. Largely imported from NZ. Also known as Hapuka or New Zealand Groper.

What size hooks for Hapuka?

Hook size varies from 7/0 and upwards to 14/0. Depending on your bait a good size to start with is 9/0 or 10/0. Many people over-size the hook for Hapuka, and bigger is not necessarily better. Hapuka also have very bony, hard mouths so keep the points in good shape.

What is whiting fish?

whiting, (species Gadus, or Merlangius, merlangus), common marine food fish of the cod family, Gadidae. The whiting is found in European waters and is especially abundant in the North Sea. It is carnivorous and feeds on invertebrates and small fishes.

What is Australian butter fish?

For example: Mulloway is traditionally known as butterfish in South Australia.

Is a hapuka a grouper?

A member of the Grouper family of ocean fish, Hapuka is large fish that reaches 4 to 5 feet in length. Most often found in deep waters, this fish is common in the waters around New Zealand and Australia. Filets from the Hapuka are firm, white, very flavorful, and somewhat similar to a bass.

Where can I find Hapuka fish?

Hapuka inhabit all southern oceans and can be found off South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Tristan da Cunha, Australia and New Zealand. Australian hotspots include Jurien Bay, WA and the waters south of Robe, SA; New Zealand has excellent fisheries in Fiordland and the Chatham Islands.

When is the best time of year to fish in Hapuka?

Hapuka normally come to shallower waters to spawn throughout the summer, which means greater numbers, but the winter conditions are more conducive of reaching greater depths, which means bigger fish. In general, the fishing is good year-round.

How deep can a Hapuka live?

While coastal dwellers as juveniles, mature hapuka head for the deep, mostly found between 200m and 800m below the surface, scrounging the seabed for food. As such, many unethical fishery operators now drag-trawl the seabed for hapuka, destroying the grasses, corals and habitats in the process, ruining the marine environment for generations.

What kind of bait do you use for hapuka?

Hapuka are voracious eaters and will take almost anything you throw them, but live bait is recommended over other choices. This can be squid, mackerel, blue cod, just-legal tarakihi or any other fish in the same size category. Cut bait can be tuna, barracouta, kahawai, cod or sea perch.