Queenfish (giant queenfish)

A tall, thin, silver jack with a pointed head, a big mouth that reaches past the eye, and a row of 5–8 round dark blotches along the upper side. Deeply forked tail, gray-blue back. Related to the leatherjacks (zapateros) of the Atlantic, but much bigger.

5–20 lb.

About 4 ft and 35 lb (16 kg).

Small fish such as herring, mullet and garfish, plus prawns and squid.

A fast, acrobatic predator that hunts in small groups along beaches, headlands and river mouths, often chasing bait to the surface. Famous for jumping again and again when hooked.

Found from Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory & Western Australia, Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam), Indonesia (Bali, Komodo, Raja Ampat, Sulawesi), Philippines, South Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea, China, Hong Kong & Taiwan, East Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, Red Sea & Arabian Gulf (Egypt, Oman, UAE) and India, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Pakistan. Coastal waters, bays, estuaries, headlands, rock bars and inshore reefs; often over sand and mud flats on the rising tide.

Coastal waters, bays, estuaries, headlands, rock bars and inshore reefs; often over sand and mud flats on the rising tide.

Surface to 160 ft.

Surface to 20 ft.

All year in the tropics; the dry season (May–October) is best in northern Australia.

Daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon.

The rising and high tide around headlands and river mouths.

Clear, calm days with bait on the surface.

Live herring, mullet or garfish.

Surface poppers and stickbaits, metal slugs, fast-retrieved soft plastics and flies.

7 ft medium spinning rod (6–10 kg); 9–10 weight fly rod.

3/0–6/0 hooks; single hooks on lures make release easier.

20–30 lb braid.

40–60 lb monofilament.

Cast poppers or stickbaits around headlands, bait schools and river mouths, and retrieve them fast; queenies follow and smash lures right at the boat.

Speed the lure up when a queenfish follows; slowing down usually makes it turn away.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Edible but dry and a bit soft; best bled right away and eaten fresh as sashimi, curry or fish cakes.

The dorsal and anal fins have sharp spines that are mildly venomous and can give a painful sting; hold the fish behind the head.

Covered by general bag limits in Australian states; check local rules wherever you fish. Licenses and rules differ by country across the Indo-Pacific: Australia's states, Asian countries and the Pacific islands all set their own bag limits, size limits and marine park zones. Check the local rules or fish with a licensed charter.

A great sport fish but only fair on the table, so most anglers release it.