Queenfish are one of those species of fish that is perfect for targeting with light tackle and lures. They are strong, but clean fighters. They are acrobatic fighters, which often leap from the water in spectacular jumps during the fight. They are very aggressive when they are feeding and often attack surface lures in a pack attack. They are also very beautiful fish and make for gorgeous photographs. I have put together a few tips that apply to this species in particular and can help anybody who is looking to catch a nice queenfish on lure.

Tip 1.

 

Queenfish feed most aggressively during low light periods. They should be targeted at dawn and dusk where they occur. During the low light periods they are most likely to take a popper on the surface. Those who get out early, or stay out late will always catch more queenfish.

 

Tip 2.

 

Use small lures for queenfish. While larger lures may excite them and they may chase them, they will seldom commit to eating a big lure, especially a popper. Smaller poppers, around 15cm long are ideal. Other good lures for queenfish are bucktail jigs and soft plastics rigged on a jig head and worked vertically and fast.

Tip 3.

 

While queenfish are curious and will follow many lures, the best way to get them to commit to attacking the lure is to move the lure fast. Speed is the most attractive ingredient to queenfish. They are far more likely to hit a fast moving lure than a slower moving one. Lures that move fast and have an erratic action are especially good.

 

Tip 4.

 

Never strike to set the hook until your rod is bent and you feel the fish on the end. Striking at a visual strike often means pulling the lure away from following fish if the striking fish misses, which they often do.

 

Tip 5.

 

Use single hooks only when targeting queenfish. Their gills extend right into the mouth and they are very easily damaged by treble hooks. Single hooks give a better hookup and less fish die as a result of being hooked.

Tip 6.

 

When one queenfish is hooked, other anglers on the boat should make some quick casts, they are often shoaling fish and when one is hooked in the water others will often be aggressive and feed freely.

Tip 7.

Make casts in all directions, a shoal of queenfish will move around fast chasing baitfish. They move over sand near the reef as well, so don’t only concentrate casts towards the reef.

Tip 8.

 

Keep them out of the water for the shortest possible time. Queenfish are delicate and will easily die if kept out of the water for too long.