Sphyraena novaehollandiae
The Australian barracuda has a greenish back with silvery flanks to which fades to white on the belly with greenish-yellow tail. Has a protruding lower jaw with a conical snout. Prefer cooler inshore waters with patches of seagrass/seaweed or sandy areas. This is a pelagic fish species; an opportunistic predator, that can live up to 20 years.

Late calcarifer
Barramundi also referred to as a Barra! Has a soft and delicate white flesh; size is generally to 150 cm and 60 kg. The minimum size limit of 58 cm to maximum size limit of 120 cm and has a closed season from 1st November to 31st January each year to allow for spawning. Starts life out living in Freshwater of rivers and creeks, then ventures downstream into estuaries and coastal shallows. They are well-known and sought-after for their aerobic abilities when hooked.

Protonibea diacanthus
NOTE: Black jewfish is a no-take species strong for all fishers for the rest of the 2022 calendar year as it has reached it`s Total Allowable Commercial Catch; this is both commercial and recreational. Most common size to 150 cm but has a size limit of 75 cm with a limit of 1. Can live on sand and mud from the Continent shelf to inshore coastal habitats and estuaries. Well regarded as an angling fish for its fighting abilities. Excellent quality eating fish.

Epinephelus malabaricus
Commonly referred as `the coral trout of the estuaries`. In Cairns we call them Blackspotted Estuary cod. The flesh is coarse yet creamy texture. Delicious table fish species. Size up to 180 cm and 100 kg. Minimum size limit is 38 cm to 120 cm. Usually lives alone or in small groups, covering a variety of habitats from rivers and estuaries to offshore reefs. Commonly caught is the gold spotted estuary cod and the black spotted estuary cod.

Plectorhinchus gibbosus
Here in Cairns we call them Blubberlip Bream. They feed on benthic crustaceans, fish and invertebrates. Juveniles found singly mimicking a dead leaf by drifting on their sides along sheltered sandy shorelines. Can grow up to 75 cm.

Carcharhinus leucas
This is one of the most aggressive shark species in the world. Bull sharks must keep salt in their bodies to survive, however Bull Sharks have developed special adaptations to their kidney functions & glands near their tails, this helps to salt in their bodies even when they are living in freshwater. From time to time these sharks are caught on line.

Monodactylus argenteus
Locally known as Butter Bream. These are found in bays and estuaries around wharves and jetties and can grow to 27cm. They are omnivorous meaning they eat sea vegetables, small fish, crustaceans and prawns. Common bait for Butter Bream is Squid, octopus and small fish species using small hooks.

Ellochelon vaigiensis
These are one of the larger of the mullet species-can grow up to 5 kg and 55 cm in length. Can easily be identified by their distinctive diamond shaped scales with a black edge. It can have a truncate caudal fin and juveniles have a black pectoral fins. These are a schooling fish that can be found in lagoons, shallow sandy areas, mangroves and rivers.

Platycephalidae fuscus
Referred to as a `Flatty`. Size can be up to 120 cm and 15 kg. Highly-sort after for its SWEET yet small fillets. Bottom-dwelling fish of coastal bays & estuaries. A very slow growing fish species. Minimum size limit of 40 cm to 75 cm.

Aptychotrema rostrata
The Eastern Shovelnose Ray can be recognised by its wedge shaped disc, and its long triangular snout. Usually sandy white and may have darker blotches. Mainly found inshore in lower estuaries and off beaches, can be in deeper waters. Not commonly caught deep in Trinity Inlet; during breeding season they are a regular in Bay leading into Trinity Inlet.

Lutijanus johnii
Known as Golden snapper. Fingermark can grow up to 10 kg in weight. Minimum size limit is 35 cm with a maximum of 5. Live mainly around mangrove-lined estuaries, to the rocky headlands, but are mainly around the bottom of the snag. Has superb fighting ability and eating qualities. Has a distinctive finger mark on below anterior soft dorsal fin.

Scylla Serrata
Commonly called a Muddy. Prefer muddy bottoms amongst the mangrove, in swallow water. Pots or dillies are the main method of capture but will take bait from line fishing. In Queensland, only male are taken, with a minimum measurement of 15 cm across the carapace; no take for females. Mud crab possession limit reduced to 7. The cooked flesh is moist, flaky and sweet. Or chilly mud crab!

Caranx ignobilis
These are the juveniles of the Giant Trevally. Born and raised in Trinity Inlet, until they reach a mature age. At certain times of the year there are Adults in the systems for breeding.

Gnathanodon speciosus
Easily distinguished by its fleshy, rubbery lips and unqiue coloration ranging from bright yellow with black bars as a juvenile to golden-silvery colour as a adult.
Golden Trevally uses its protractile jaw to suck out prey from the sand/reef to consume a variety of fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Can grow up to 120 cm in length.

Sphyraena barracuda
One of the fastest fish in the sea. Easily identified by the distinctive silver shine on their scales with up to 23 dark bars on the upper body as well as their mouth containing two sets of teeth. One of the few fish species with few predators.

Polydactylus macrochir
Known as a steam train due to there striking and running abilities. Minimum size 65 cm. There backs can be bluish-silver with whitish belly (during some seasons the belly surface is flushed with yellow.

Platax tiera
The Longfin Batfish is silver-grey to brown with a dark bar through the eye and another through the pectoral fins with a protruding snout. Juveniles are black; the body and median fins are outlined in orange. The dorsal and anal fins are greatly elongated. The species occurs in inshore and coral reef waters. Not a commonly caught species in Cairns waters.

Lutjanus argentimaculatus
Mangrove jack commonly referred to as a `Jack`. Can grow to 120 cm and 16 kg. Has a minimum size limit for 25 cm. The juveniles live in the mangrove estuaries then when matured they prefer the shelters inshore coral reefs. For the fisher person they have excellent fighting abilities, as well as being a good quality table fish.

Megalops cyprinoides
In Cairns we refer to them as Tarpon. They are deep and skinny yet don`t let the silver fool you. While most species are around the 1 kilo mark, they can grow up to 2.5 kilos and be up to 60 cm in length. The reality is, Oxeye herring are hard hitting with strong fight abilities. Make a note, Oxeye herring will jump and then throw the hook. Not recommended as a table fish; they make the ultimate sports fish species.

Trachinotus falcatus
May also be known as a Snub-nose dart, this is not a commonly caught fish species, they can be caught while bait fishing. While fish stocks are believed not to be large, encouragement of releasing this fish species unharmed is encouraged. Take note and appreciate their fighting agility and stamina.

traodontidae
Pufferfish are a unique fish, known for their ability to inflate their bodies into sphere like shape as a defence mechanism. Most pufferfish contained within and maybe secreted across their bodies, this toxic substance known as tetrodotoxin; and is deadly to human, with enough toxin to kill at least 30 humans (no known antidote).

Platax orbicularis
Not a commonly caught fish species, they do put up a fight when using live prawns as bait. Are known to have a swift growth rate; their colouration can be from light brown to dark brown with black marking. Most Batfish are returned to the water as not considered to be a good table fish.

Nibea soldado
Silver jewfish are more common in our tropical waters over the cooler months. They happily take smaller baits, prawns and strip baits from the bottom. Their head has a steeply sloping profile & their body tapers sharply to the tail. Can be a lot of fun for the big kids and little kids!

Lutjanus erythropterus
Also known as a crimson snapper. Minimum size catch is 40 cm. Has evenly serrated teeth on both jaws and dark and or black tinge on the caudal fin rays. While mostly caught on the reef at certain times they can be caught while fishing in the estuary. An excellent table fish.

Scomberomorus munroi
Minimum take size is 60 cm; with a maximum size of 100 cm. Coloration light silver-grey body with faint band of small round spots along their sides and their dorsal fin is mostly black-blue.

Tylosurus gavialoides
This fish species is long & slender; has many needle-like teeth in its greatly elongated jaws. The dorsal & anal fins are positioned towards the rear of the body. The fish is blue to green or grey above and silvery below. The snout and fins of adults are usually dusky. Not a common caught fish species.