Best Months
May – Oct
Best Time
Daytime bottom fishing — most productive mid-morning to mid-afternoon in 40–120m
Tide
Incoming tide floods bait over reef structure; fish the run-in with fresh bait
Top Locations
49 regions
How to Catch Red Emperor
Incoming tide floods bait over reef structure; fish the run-in with fresh bait
Daytime bottom fishing — most productive mid-morning to mid-afternoon in 40–120m
Calm sea essential in deep water; emperor retreat to deeper structure in rough conditions
Deep reef edges and drop-offs in 40–120m, rubble and coral bottom, submerged bomboras
Lower bait to the bottom and hold; drift bait 1m off the bottom works well; electric reels allow rapid depth changes to work the water column
Fresh bait is essential for red emperor — they're very choosy. Bridle-rigged live bait out-fishes dead bait 5-to-1 in prime habitat
Best Regions by Month
Seasonal ratings across all Australian regions. Click a region to see the full calendar.
Presenting bait (pilchards, squid, cut fish) on the bottom over reef structure.
Methodical jigging technique using specially designed slow-pitch jigs over reef structure.