Hapuka
A true heavyweight of the deep offshore reefs, the hapuka lives hundreds of metres down and takes serious tackle and effort to winch to the surface. It is one of the great prizes of deep-drop fishing off Sydney, and the reward is thick, firm, top-shelf white fillets.
About the hapuka
Hapuka, also called hapuku or groper, are a big, deep-bodied member of the wreckfish family that live on the deep reefs and drop-offs well off the coast, often in hundreds of metres of water. They grow large and heavy, and pulling one up from that depth is as much a test of gear and stamina as it is of skill.
This is deep-drop territory, so it is a fish for the wider offshore trips rather than the inshore reefs. Hapuka are a genuine trophy for the crew that puts in the miles, and their thick, firm white flesh is among the best eating you can bring back from the deep.
Hapuka at a glance
| Name | Hapuka |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Hapuku, Groper |
| Scientific name | Polyprion oxygeneios |
| Best season in NSW | Year-round |
| Habitat | Deep offshore |
| Where found in NSW | NSW offshore |
| Size and bag limits | No min, bag 5 |
| Average size | 80–150cm |
| Max size | 2m |
| Fishing method | Deep drop |
| Best bait / lure | Large bait |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Eating quality | Excellent |
| Taste | Firm white |
| Recipe ideas | Fillets |
Deep dropping the offshore grounds
Hapuka come from deep water, so it is a specialist game of heavy tackle, big baits and marking the right ground.
The proven methods
Deep dropping means sending a heavily weighted rig with large baits, squid, fish fillets or whole baits, down onto the deep reefs and pinnacles where hapuka hold. It takes serious leads to hold bottom in that much water and current, and once you hook up it is a slow, heavy winch to the surface. Electric reels earn their keep out here. It is hard work, but the payoff is a genuine deep-water trophy. All the gear is on board and ready to go.
How Wahoo puts you on them
Deep dropping is all about the marks, the deep reefs, ledges and pinnacles well off the coast, and the conditions to fish them safely. George Aslanian has spent more than 30 years working the offshore grounds off Sydney and knows the deep-water country that holds fish like hapuka. We pick the right weather window, set you up with the heavy gear, and help you work a bait down where these deep-water giants live. Ready to go? Book a dedicated Sydney deep sea charter.
Other Reef & offshore fish
Blue Eye Trevalla
Blue Eye Trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica): a prized deep-drop fish off NSW. Season, size, bag limits, methods and eating quality, plus how to catch them off Sydney.
Morwong
Jackass Morwong (Nemadactylus macropterus): a reliable NSW reef fish. Season, size, bag limits, methods and eating quality, plus how to catch them off Sydney.
Snapper
Snapper (Pagrus auratus): Sydney's classic reef fish. Season, size, bag limits, methods and eating quality, plus how to catch them on the reefs off Sydney.
Tiger Flathead
Tiger Flathead (Platycephalus richardsoni): an offshore NSW flathead. Season, size, bag limits, drift-fishing methods and eating quality, plus how to catch them off Sydney.
Ready to chase a deep-water giant?
Tell us your dates and crew and we will look at the right weather window to chase hapuka off Sydney, all gear supplied. Browse the full species guide, or explore our deep sea and reef charters.