Bluenose
Bluenose are a deep-water species found right around New Zealand, almost always tied to offshore reef structure and drop-offs below 250m.
They're one of the country's most-targeted deepwater table fish — thick white fillets with high oil content that hold up beautifully on the grill. The NZ all-tackle record sits at 40. 4kg, and fish over 10kg are common.
Scientific Name: Hyperoglyphe antarctica
Also known as Mātiri, Stone Eye, Bonita, Bream, Griffin's Silver Fish
- Dark metallic blue-grey on the back, shading to silver-blue on the sides and belly — distinctive enough to ID at the rail.
- Blunt snout, very large low-set eyes adapted for seeing in deep, low-light water, and a chunky, deep-bodied profile.
- Commonly caught at 5–15kg; fish over 20kg are a solid result, and the species can reach 50kg and grow to around 137cm in length.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found right around New Zealand in temperate offshore waters — not a regional specialty, but North Island seamounts get the most recreational pressure.
- Depth varies with age: smaller fish can be found shallower, while larger adults typically hold at 250–600m, with the productive recreational zone around 300–400m.
- Almost always associated with hard bottom — offshore reefs, seamounts, pinnacles, and steep drop-offs where upwellings concentrate prey.
- Unlike hāpuku and bass, bluenose commonly school 30–50m or more above the bottom rather than sitting hard on the reef.
Key Locations
- Garden Patch off Cape Karikari (Northland) — one of the most-fished bluenose grounds accessible to trailer boats, known for holding large fish.
- Mayor Island and White Island seamounts (Bay of Plenty) — well-known offshore pinnacles that reliably hold bluenose schools.
- Three Kings Islands (Far North) — remote but productive, with significant underwater structure at the right depths.
- Southeast coast (BNS3 stock area) — a separate managed stock covering the South Island's east coast offshore grounds.
Specific Spots
- Seamounts and pinnacles in the 300–400m range are the go-to — look for any noticeable lump or ledge on a bathymetric chart at those depths.
- During the spawning season (late autumn into winter), fish stack up in dense schools over these features, making them far easier to locate and stay on.
- Because bluenose school mid-water above structure rather than on the bottom, getting your bait or jig to the right depth in the water column matters as much as finding the right reef.
Bluenose FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Bluenose?
Whole squid and large cut baits are the traditional approach, fished on a ledger or dropper rig at depth, targeting the mid-water zone above structure rather than hard on the bottom.
When is the best time to fish for Bluenose?
Year-round: bluenose can be caught at any time, but fish are more spread out and harder to locate consistently in summer. May–October (autumn through winter): the prime window, fish school up over seamounts to spawn, making them easier to find and far more concentrated.
How do you catch Bluenose?
Bluenose are an offshore boat fishery, you need to get out to deep water (250–400m) over identified seamounts or pinnacles, usually located using bathymetric charts. Most anglers fish bait or jigs with electric reels, targeting the mid-water zone above structure rather than the bottom itself.
What do Bluenose eat?
Squid is the primary forage, bluenose have large eyes built for hunting in the dark at depth, and squid-pattern lures and whole squid baits directly exploit this preference. They also eat lanternfish, crabs, and small ling.
Where do Bluenose live?
Found right around New Zealand in temperate offshore waters, not a regional specialty, but North Island seamounts get the most recreational pressure. Depth varies with age: smaller fish can be found shallower, while larger adults typically hold at 250–600m, with the productive recreational zone around 300–400m.
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