Trevally

New Zealand Trevally | Species ID Video

COMMON NAME                                                              Len with his record 10.2kg Trevally.

Trevally

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Pseudocaranx dentex

LEGAL LENGTH & LIMIT

Minimum length 25cm                                                                                 

Trevally are included as your combined daily bag limit of fin fish.                                   

There are different amounts allowed depending on where you are in New Zealnd

• Auckland Central and Challenger are 20 per person
• South East Area, Southland Area, and Fiorlans Area are 30 per person

DESCRIPTION

Trevally are schooling fish, most abundant in the warmer waters off the northern North Island but summer stragglers reach to banks peninsula. Adult schools are often seen near headlands, pinnacles and islands where currents tend to concentrate plankton. At times, large schools of trevally break the surface when feeding.

The deep body, separated dorsal fins and row of ridged plates near the tail base are distinctive features of this species, as is the greenish colouration with metallic overtones and the dark spot above the gill plate. Its fins are yellowish.
 

HABITAT & FEEDING

A plankton feeder, food seems to be anything locally available, whether from a rocky shore or a muddy bottom offshore to depths around one hundred meters, small fishes predominate. In summer trevally form close packed schools, backs humping above the water as krill and other plankton are gulped down. If plankton food is scarce, they will suck up sediment to sift out worms and other small organisms, large

AGE & GROWTH

As the Trevally grows beyond 40cm its back becomes a darker blur-green. The head also develops a hump the Trevally are slow growing and long living, some fish may exceed 45 years.

FOOD QUALITY

Firm flesh suited to frying, smoking and sashimi

HUNTING TECHNIQUES

Trevally responds very well to burling and flashers, this is one of the most effective way to target this species. Sometimes when the Trevally don’t respond to burly diving down on a weed edge, lying still and flicking sand up can bring stragglers in off the sand. But they are often very cagey.

In summer big bait balls of Trevally and kahawai will be seen, jumping in the

middle and spearing them from the surface is quite straightforward. But be aware often large kingfish lurk beneath.

WHERE TO SHOOT THE FISH

Where ever possible try to dispatch the fish by aiming for the head or spine area.

EQUIPMENT

110cm rail speargun like Riffe, Picasso or Freedivers.

Jess Whiddett with her Womens record Trevally