Trevally
Silver trevally are a staple of southern Australian inshore fishing — schooling, hard-mouthed, and willing to eat a range of baits and lures.
Found from Sydney around the southern coast to just north of Perth, they turn up over reefs, sandy ground, and in estuaries.
Most fish run under 2 kg, but larger specimens push 5 kg or more, and their reputation for grunting when landed has earned them a loyal following among rock and beach anglers.
Scientific Name: Pseudocaranx georgianus
Also known as Skippy, skipjack trevally, silver bream, araara, blurter, blue trevally
- Greenish-blue on the back, bright silver on the sides and belly, with a small but distinct black blotch on the gill cover — the easiest field mark.
- Juveniles and sub-adults carry a yellow mid-lateral stripe that fades with age; a useful ID feature when sorting mixed trevally schools.
- Compressed, oval body with a deeply forked tail and long, scythe-shaped pectoral fins; bony scutes run along the rear of the lateral line.
- Typical fish run 35–60 cm and 0.4–2.5 kg; larger adults can reach 1.2 m and 18 kg, though fish over 5 kg are genuinely noteworthy.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to southern Australia — distributed from north of Sydney, NSW, west around the Bight to just north of Perth, WA; also recorded at Norfolk Island.
- A pelagic schooling species that moves over reefs, sandy flats, and artificial reefs; individuals regularly push into estuaries, particularly as juveniles.
- Juveniles favour shallow coastal waters and are tightly reef-associated; adults prefer deeper water around headlands and undertake pronounced offshore migrations.
- Adults show site fidelity within local areas, with most tagged fish recaptured within 100 km of release — meaning local populations can be distinct from one another.
Key Locations
- Solitary Islands, NSW — clear temperate reef where schools congregate around the island structure.
- Bawley Point and Cabbage Tree Bay, NSW — documented schooling sites in shallow coastal reef habitat.
- King George Sound, WA (near Albany) — the type locality for the species and still a productive southern WA fishery.
- South Australian gulfs and reefs — the sheltered, cooler waters of Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent hold good numbers of fish across the size range.
Specific Spots
- Rocky headlands and reef edges in 10–30 m hold adult schools — the current break where clean water meets structure concentrates bait and draws fish.
- Sandy patches adjacent to reef are productive feeding grounds; silver trevally work the edges, picking off crustaceans and small fish dislodged by surge.
- Estuarine channels and wharves hold juveniles and sub-adults, especially where current funnels through a narrow section and pushes food past waiting fish.
- Artificial reefs attract schooling fish in areas where natural reef is sparse — worth checking on sounder before anchoring up.
Trevally FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Trevally?
Peeled prawn, beach worm, and squid strip are the most consistent baits across the species's range, fished on the bottom near reef or in estuarine channels. Small metal slugs (10–30 g) cast into feeding schools and retrieved at pace work well when fish are surface-active or mid-water over reef.
When is the best time to fish for Trevally?
Spring (September–November), fish move inshore and into estuaries as water warms; reliable time to find schools in accessible coastal spots. Summer (December–February), spawning activity peaks; fish are present inshore but can be scattered across a wider area.
How do you catch Trevally?
Most anglers target silver trevally from rocks, jetties, and boats using bait on the bottom near reef structure, or by casting metals and soft plastics into visible schools.
What do Trevally eat?
Feeds heavily on small crustaceans, worms, and molluscs along sandy and reef-edge ground, which is why peeled prawn, squid, and beach worms are the go-to baits for most southern anglers.
Where do Trevally live?
Native to southern Australia, distributed from north of Sydney, NSW, west around the Bight to just north of Perth, WA; also recorded at Norfolk Island. A pelagic schooling species that moves over reefs, sandy flats, and artificial reefs; individuals regularly push into estuaries, particularly as juveniles.
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