Things to do
Coral Trout
Land a trout on the end of your line
Tucking into a plate of freshly grilled fish that you’ve hand-plucked from the sea is one of life’s most delicious pleasures. And while it’s true to say that any fish you’ve caught yourself tastes pretty good, the coral trout – native to the waters of the Great Barrier Reef – is as good as it gets.
Widely recognised as Australia’s best eating fish – you’ll find the firm white pearly flesh featured on seafood menus across the country – the coral trout, which is not actually a trout but a member is the grouper and cod family, is also one of the most popular catches in the reef waters of Tropical North Queensland.
Coral trout can be caught from a boat on rods or handlines, or by spear fishing, and you can often see schools of the colourful fish when snorkelling on the reef. You can’t miss them: they’re pink and covered with electric blue spots. Like everywhere in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, there are bag limits and zoning rules for fishing, but you’re allowed 7 coral trout per bag as long as they are more than 38cm in size, enough to feed even the hungriest crew.
Catch a Coral Trout on a tour with Cairns Reef Fishing
