Trevally
Silver trevally are one of New Zealand's best light-tackle inshore species — fast, deep-bodied fish that test fine lines and light leaders. Common around the North Island and upper South Island, they turn up on estuarine flats, rocky headlands, and open reefs.
Many anglers overlook them chasing snapper, but trevally reward patience and finesse with a strong run and some of the best sashimi in the sea.
Scientific Name: Pseudocaranx georgianus
Also known as Silver trevally, araara, jackfish, Silver Prince
- Blue-green to greenish-grey on the back, silver-white on the belly, with a yellow-silver sheen along the flanks and a small dark spot on the gill cover.
- Deep, laterally compressed body with a bluntly rounded head, sickle-shaped pectoral fins, a deeply forked tail, and a row of hard scutes along the tail base — distinctive in hand.
- Juveniles carry a yellow stripe along the sides; larger fish develop darker, greener shoulders and a more pronounced forehead.
- Typical fish run 30–60 cm and 0.4–2 kg; anything over 5 kg is a serious fish. The NZ all-tackle record sits at 11.53 kg from Great Barrier Island.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to New Zealand and temperate Australian waters; found around much of the North Island and the northern half of the South Island, with occasional fish reaching as far south as Otago in summer.
- Both open-water and bottom-oriented depending on season — schools roam pelagically offshore but move into shallow estuaries and harbours, particularly in spring and early summer.
- Tagging studies show trevally are relatively homebodies, typically staying within about 50 km of where they grew up as juveniles.
- Found across a wide range of terrain: rocky coastlines, sandy flats, weed lines, estuarine channels, and around man-made structures.
Key Locations
- Bay of Plenty — historically one of the strongholds for surface-schooling trevally; still produces good fish around headlands and estuaries.
- Great Barrier Island — remote, lightly fished waters; home of the current NZ all-tackle record at 11.53 kg.
- Northland and the Hauraki Gulf — warm water, extensive estuarine systems, and rocky headlands make this the most consistent region for targeting trevally year-round.
- Top of the South Island (Marlborough Sounds and Nelson) — the southern edge of reliable trevally habitat; fish are present but less abundant than further north.
Specific Spots
- Estuary channels on a falling tide — trevally follow the current downstream, zigzagging between deep and shallow water, herding baitfish against underwater obstructions before charging in.
- Where reef meets sand: headlands and offshore islands where current concentrates bait draw schooling fish to the edge of structure.
- Shallow estuarine flats as the tide floods in spring — larger, solitary fish patrol these areas and are more cautious than schooling fish offshore.
- Around wharves, rocky points, and any structure that breaks current and holds smaller fish or crustaceans.
Trevally FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Trevally?
Small soft plastics (2–3 inch curly tails or paddle tails) on 1/8–1/4 oz jig heads are the most consistent estuary lure, fish them slowly along the bottom, letting the current swing them downstream.
What flies work for Trevally?
Weighted baitfish patterns like Clouser Minnows (which imitate small fish) in white, chartreuse, or olive are the most reliable all-round fly, get them to the bottom and swing or dead-drift them in the current.
When is the best time to fish for Trevally?
Spring (September–November), fish move into estuaries and shallow harbours as water warms; good numbers of fish and the start of the main inshore season. Summer (December–February), peak season for estuary flats fishing and offshore schooling activity; spawning fish present.
How do you catch Trevally?
Most NZ anglers target trevally from shore or by wading estuarine flats on a moving tide, casting soft plastics or flies ahead of fish they can see working the shallows. Boat anglers find schooling fish around offshore headlands and islands by watching for surface activity or working metal jigs over reef-to-sand edges.
What do Trevally eat?
In estuaries, trevally feed heavily on mantis shrimps, small crabs, and baitfish, small soft plastics on light jig heads or weighted flies that match these prey items are the go-to approach.
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