Hāpuku is fished both commercially and recreationally in New Zealand. It is highly sought after, but catches are relatively low; this species is managed in the New Zealand Quota Management System (QMS).

Mar 24, 2025 · You can find bass all around the New Zealand coastline usually in deep water over the 200m mark. The best area to catch this species seems to be off the Bay of Plenty particularly over the deepwater reefs around White Island.

Also known as Hapuka, Hapuku or Whapuku (or Groper in New Zealand) is a member of the Wreckfish family. This deep-water species and sought after fish has a reputation for its superior flavor and texture. Where: East Coast, New Zealand. How: Wild; Bottom Longline.

Mar 24, 2025 · Out of Tauranga, we have an abundance of deepwater reefs that hold hapuka, bass, bluenose, and gemfish, plus a variety of other species that tum up by surprise. These four species are the main deepwater fish that you will encounter and the best thing is that they are all great eating, no matter what they look like. Tauranga Sport Fishing Club.

Hāpuku and bass are the deepwater thugs of NZ fishing. These two closely related species grow to large sizes and are available to anglers right around the country. Unfortunately, they’re nowhere as common as they once were as they are slow …

Pink maomao (Caprodon longimanus) is found in the eastern Indian Ocean and the southern Pacific Ocean, including Australia and New Zealand. Potato cod (Epinephelus tukula), also known as the potato bass or potato grouper, is a large reef fish found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Two revolutions in tackle and technology have really reinvented deep water fishing, making previously unreachable spots identifiable, and accessible to even small boat anglers.

If you’re looking for a unique NZ fish type, or maybe you’re just a big seafood lover, you’re in for a treat. Hapuka, with its firm white flesh, is a highly sought-after fish that will delight your taste buds.

There are two species of Groper in New Zealand, commonly known as Hapuku and Bass. Both species are grey-blue or grey-brown on top and white on the underside. Hapuku can grow to a maximum length of 150 cm, though most adults are 70-100 cm. Bass are larger, growing to a maximum length of 200 cm, though most adults are 80-110 cm.

Growing to an impressive 90 kilos, I view bass as the lumbering elephants of New Zealand’s underwater world, while hapuku and bluenose are perhaps the rhino and hippo equivalents (very tasty elephants and hippos they are, too!).