Blue Morwong / Queen Snapper
Queen Snapper, Blue Morwong, Deep-water Morwong
Nemadactylus valenciennesi
Overview
Blue Morwong — also known in some regions as Queen Snapper — are a deep-water South Australian reef fish with a slate-grey to blue body and long trailing pectoral fins. They live over deeper offshore reef and rough ground, fight hard on light tackle, and are an excellent table fish.
Quick Info
Identification
A deep-bodied, slate-grey to silvery-blue reef fish with a small mouth, long trailing pectoral fins and a forked tail. Larger fish carry a distinctly blue-grey hue over deep structure.
Slender trailing pectoral fins, deep body, small mouth and slate-blue to grey colouring over deep reef — unlike shallower-dwelling morwong species.
Jackass Morwong are shallower-dwelling with a dark band across the body; Blue Morwong are deeper-bodied, bluish-grey, and usually caught in deeper water over offshore reef.
Where to Find Them
Typical depth: 20-100 m
Fishing environments: Boat
When to Fish
How to Catch Them
Anchor or drift over deep reef, drop a lightly weighted baited rig to the bottom and lift it just off, then hold on. Berley draws fish; keep baits small and near the structure. A slow, steady fight follows hookup.
Small fresh baits of squid, prawn or fish fillet on strong but small hooks, presented just above the bottom on a light paternoster.
A firm tap and steady weight — blue morwong bite confidently and load the rod quickly.
Lift smoothly into the weight; blue morwong hook themselves against a light sinker once the bait is taken.
Locate deep reef on your sounder and drop small baits over the edge with a light berley trail. Blue morwong are a consistent deep-water species once you find the right ground.
Fishing too heavy, using hooks that are too large, and not keeping baits small — blue morwong have small mouths.
Best Baits
Rigs & Gear
The dedicated snapper rig — two snelled hooks on a long sliding leader with the sinker running free on the main line, so a suspicious red can mouth the bait and run without feeling any resistance.
A versatile and highly effective rig for King George Whiting and many other species.
Current SA Fishing Rules
CURRENT SA FISHING RULES
Method: Total length
Measured at: Measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.
Always check current regulations before fishing. Fishing rules and closures can change.
Keeping Your Catch
Support the body with wet hands; deep-water fish are delicate when brought up — hold gently and release unwanted fish quickly.
If keeping, dispatch and bleed promptly before icing.
Slush ice promptly; blue morwong flesh firms and stays sweet when chilled.
Cleaning & Filleting
Gut, scale and rinse. Blue morwong scale easily and gut cleanly.
Fillets come off cleanly along the backbone; the body is solid enough for full fillets.
Skin is thin and crisps well when pan-fried or grilled skin side down.
Few pin bones; feel the fillet and pull out any you find with pliers.
Cooking
Sweet, white, firm flesh — pan-fry in butter, crumb and deep-fry, or grill whole. Blue morwong are superb table fare.
Where to Catch Them in SA
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