Tailor

tailor
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit5

 

possession limit10

 

boat limit-

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

None
Measuring

Most scalefish are measured from the nose to the end of the tail. Get your scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any Service Tasmania outlet.

Other names

chopper, bluefish


Scientific name

Pomatomus saltatrix

Grows to


Up to

1.2m and 14.5kg.

Identifying features


​Tailor are a greyish to green-blue colour on the upper body and silvery below.  They have a moderately long body, a prominent lower jaw and a large forked tail fin.

​Habitat

Tailor prefer warmer temperate waters.  A pelagic, migratory species, it moves south from subtropical areas in spring when it can be found in estuaries and inshore waters on the east and west coasts of mainland Australia, then northward again in autumn.

Fishing information

A popular game fish caught off the southern east coast of Australia which is sometimes taken in the north of Tasmania but not commonly caught.  The tailor is a voracious feeder on small fish, named for its ability to cut fishing nets and lines with its sharp teeth.  In Tasmania, it tends to be found swimming with Australian salmon schools.

Handling

Handle cautiously as tailor may bite an unwary hand.

Cooking

Tasty eating.  The flesh tends to go soft once frozen and thawed.

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au