Bite Compass

WA Dhufish

Reef / Offshore

Glaucosoma hebraicum

Western Australia's premier table fish, endemic to WA. Mostly boat-caught over reef but occasionally taken from deep-water rock walls and jetties. Highly regulated with strict bag limits.

Overview

WA dhufish is Western Australia's iconic table fish — endemic to WA and found nowhere else in the world. While primarily a boat-caught reef species, land-based catches do occur from deep-water structure. Dhufish are slow-growing and heavily regulated, making every legal fish a genuine trophy.

How to Catch

Best baits

Whole squid, whole pilchards, octopus, mulie

Lures

Large soft plastics, slow-pitch jigs, heavy metal jigs

Rigs

Heavy paternoster rig with two 6/0–8/0 hooks and a bomb sinker to hold bottom in current. Use 40–60lb leader. The rig needs to be robust — dhufish head straight for the reef when hooked.

Technique

Mainly a boat-fishing species. From land, target deep-water structure such as the end of long jetties or deep rock walls. Lower whole squid or pilchard baits to the bottom near reef structure and wait. Dhufish feed close to the reef, so accuracy in placement is important. When hooked, apply heavy pressure immediately to prevent them from reaching the reef.

Best time

Bite throughout the day but dawn and dusk are most productive. Tide changes near deep reef structure are key. Active year-round, with some anglers reporting better catches in the cooler months.

Size

Up to 25kg, commonly 3–8kg

Peak season

Year-round

Eating quality

WA's best table fish — firm, white, sweet flesh that's hard to beat. Pan-fry, grill, bake, or eat as sashimi. Worth every bit of effort to catch.

Regulations (WA)

Bag limit: 2. No minimum size. Highly regulated — always check current DPIRD rules as closures and zone restrictions apply.

Perth Tips

Land-based dhufish are rare in Perth — most are caught from boats over reef in 20–40m of water. If you're land-based, focus on the deepest structure you can access. Consider a charter trip to experience dhufish fishing properly.

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