Red Emperor
SIZE AND WEIGHT
Red Emperor can reach 22kg in weight and more than a metre in length. The current all tackle word record is 17.9kg (39lb7oz), caught in Tokyo, Japan in 1999.
Not a lot is known about their reproduction habits, but they mature at about 50cm in length at 3-4 years of age, and have a lifespan of around 34 years.
They’re commonly caught around 60-70cm in length.
Most states in Australia have size and bag limits, so please check your local fishing regulations before targeting this species.
DESCRIPTION
Red Emperor are actually a member of the Snapper family (Lutjanidae), and are more closely related to Mangrove jack and Red bass than any of the Emperor species. They're a popular and highly sought after species for recreational anglers, particularly in Queensland. They're known for their impressive size and delicious taste.
They’re a striking reef species, with a red, deep body and a strong, forked caudal fin and continuous dorsal fin.
Juveniles and young adults are distinguished from more mature fish by three dark red vertical bands and a paler overall colouration.
As they age, they become pink/red all over and the banding becomes less distinct.
Red Emperor are carnivorous and feed on crustaceans, molluscs and fish within the reef system including squid, octopus, crabs, shellfish, shrimp and small fish.
WHERE AND WHEN TO FISH
Red Emperor are commonly found around the warmer northern waters of Australia, ranging from Shark Bay in WA, around to Moreton Bay in southern Queensland. But they can sometimes be found further south.
Red Emperor can be found in water depths ranging from 10 metres to 140 metres.
Juveniles tend to inhabit inshore reef systems, structure and gravel patches while adults are found deeper offshore near coral reefs with adjacent sand areas, or deep isolated reef and coral structures with small rises and gravel bottoms.
You can target and catch Red Emperor all year round, but the cooler months tend to be more prouctive.
They're usually more active from May to September (particularly in Queensland) but as with any species, the weather and other environmental fatcors can impact the likelihood of catching them on any given day.
HOW TO FISH
When targeting Reds offshore you have the option of drifting vs anchor and berleying, depending on the conditions. Either way, locating fish then presenting large baits to them close to the bottom is key.
Red Emperor are tough fighters and it’s not uncommon to be taken to the cleaners when fishing light tackle. They will run hard and bust off on the reefy bottom given the chance. The sheer size of mature fish matched with their powerful head shaking and ability to fight from the bottom to the surface make them a formidable opponent.
HINTS AND TIPS
- The best baits for reds are large fleshy fillets such as mullet, hussar, tuna, scads, pilchard or any locally caught reef fish. Alternatively whole squid, cuttlefish or octopus work well
- If you’re drifting baits over deeper isolated structures, small rises and rubble bottom, use a paternoster style dropper rig and a lead heavy enough to hold your bait on the bottom. It’s important to get your bait on the seafloor and keep it there. Increase lead size or keep feeding out line if you have to.
- If you’re fishing at anchor, get a berley trail running and send your baits down the berley trail. A basic running rig consisting of a set of three gangs or two snelled octopus style hooks, running sinker, and leader is tied to the mainline. Bait up with a full mullet fillet or similar and you’re in business.
- Reds are a demersal species, which means they live near or on the seafloor. They'll rarely rise up through the water column to grab a bait, so it's important to get a big bait on the seafloor and keep it there.
- Deeper isolated structures, small rises and rubble bottom are the favoured haunts of mature reds.
- When targeting big reds it’s best to try to overpower them. Fish heavy for big fish.
- Heavy gear may seem unsporting but reduces bust offs, long drawn out fights and the inevitable loss of good fish to sharks.
GEAR GUIDE
ROD, REEL, LINE AND LEADER
So when you’re targeting Red Emperor its best to try to over power them.
Most recreational anglers use an overhead rod and reel setup, however if you’re targeting larger fish an overhead combo could be needed for sheer stopping power.
Those who make regular big fish captures fish heavy with 50lb mono line and 80lb leader or 80lb braid with a long 10m 80-100lb leader. Heavy gear may seem unsporting but reduces bust offs, long drawn out fights and the inevitable loss of good fish to sharks.
RUNNING RIGS
Black Magic Brand Ambassador, Leigh Holtsbaum, regularly targets Red Emperor off Queensland’s Bunker Group.
His go-to rig consists of a 1m length of 80lb Tough Trace, a 15kg rolling swivel with a combination of a snelled KLT® 8/0 hook and DX Point® 6/0 hook, with 15cm of fluoro tube separating the hooks. He also likes to add the skirt from one of our ‘Pinky’ Snapper Snacks. He uses a running sinker (3oz – 8oz depending on the current and water depth). The running sinker allows the fish to pick up the bait without feeling the weight before you apply pressure to set the hook.
If you prefer a paternoster style rig the same hook rig can be implemented with a slight modification to the paternoster.
HOOKS
Reds can often be very hesitant when they eat, particularly when using a big bait as they will often pick up the bait and chew it making it feel like a smaller fish attacking the bait. This is where our KLT® hooks come into their own. When you feel the bites just allow the fish to take the bait in and then slowly apply pressure. Unlike normal hooks you don’t need to strike, the application of pressure and then a wind to engage is enough to set the hooks.
