Habitat
Longfin pike form schools and are relatively common around rocky reef outcrops and seagrass beds down to 70 metres. Pike tend to be found over a particular reef system and will stay there as residents. Found all around Tasmania but common in Bass Strait.
Fishing information
Longfin pike will take lures, soft plastics and bluebait, anything that resembles a small fish. Trolling is the best method to locate these fish. They form schools with as many as several hundred fish and once they begin feeding they will compete with each other for any food source including fisher’s lures. This behaviour makes it possible for fishers to take their possession limit within a relatively short period of time, especially from a boat. Sometimes confused with barracouta or snook.
Handling
Longfin pike have sharp first dorsal spines easily broken off into skin if mishandled. Their teeth are small and sharp and care is needed removing hooks from the small jaws.
Cooking
They are quite good eating with firm, gold coloured meat and a pleasant fishy taste. The flesh will become soft if the fish is not cleaned and cooled as soon as possible after capture. Can be prepared whole, or fillets, and pan fried in butter. Watch the cooking time as they overcook easily.