Hāpuku
DESCRIPTION
Hāpuku are a wreckfish, usually found at depths of 200 metres or more.
They have a large, stocky body, which is usually grey with silvery white bellies. However, as with all species, colours can vary slightly depending on their environment and juveniles can be more blue than grey.
Hāpuku have 10 dorsal fins running along their back and a large powerful, square shaped tail.
Their lower jaw protrudes like an underbite and their very large eye are adapted for living and hunting in low light conditions.
Not much is known about their spawning habits, but they spawn in spring and summer, from September to January each year. They mature at about 10-13 years old and can live up to 60 years.
Hāpuku are a slow growing species, but they can eventually reach over 60kg and 180cm in length. They’re most commonly caught around the 20-30kg mark.
In New Zealand, a 68kg hāpuku is the largest fish on record, caught in 2005 by M Hulena in the Hawkes Bay. However, there are stories of a 74kg hāpuku caught by Guy Russell, off the Coromandel coastline.
There is no official record for Australia or with IGFA.
DIET
Hapuka are voracious predators feeding on tarakihi, mackerel, blue and red cod, gurnard, hoki, crabs and crayfish to name a few.
Using mackerel, cod or tarakihi as a live bait when targeting hapuku have proven to be highly effective, but they will take almost any bait you offer them.
BAG AND SIZE LIMITS
In New Zealand, specifically for the North Island (in its entirety) and the west coast of the South Island, the daily catch limit for recreational anglers is 2 per person, with a limit of 3 per person on multi-day trips.
You can find out more about New Zealand’s limits for hapuku here.
In Australia, each state has different rules regarding bag and size limits. Please ensure you are aware of the most recent rules for the location you are fishing in.
WHERE TO FISH
ENVIRONMENT
Hāpuku favour reefs in depths around 200m of water, but they can also be caught in shallower and deeper water. Pinnacles, drop-offs and the like in deeper water are a good place to start – foul bottom, the rougher and deeper the better.
Larger fish (adults) are usually found around reef structure, but smaller fish (juveniles) may be caught out in the open over mud or sand.
They are known to favour areas of high current and, in some locations, it’s only possible to fish for them over the turn of the tide. If the drift is too fast due to tide, wind, or both, the fishing can be poor because baits are not spending enough time in the strike zone.
NEW ZEALAND
The reefs and banks around the Three Kings, White Island and the Ranfurly Banks are known hotspots in New Zealand.
However there are locations right around the country offering great opportunities to target and catch hapuku, including the edges of the continental slope of the west coast ofthe South Island.
AUSTRALIA
Hāpuku are found amongst the deep offshore reefs around the continental slope along the southern coasts of Australia, from Sydney in NSW, to Rottnest Island in WA and around Tasmania.
BAROTRAUMA
When fish are brought up from the depths, usually quicker than they would surface under their own power, they can suffer barotrauma. The risk of barotrauma is generally increased as the depth increases. Symptoms can include their stomach being pushed out through their mouth, bulging eyes, bloating of the stomach, and protruding intestines.
Some fish will not show signs of barotrauma but can be suffering from internal injuries such as a ruptured swim bladder, damaged organs, internal bleeding, and clotting.
There's a lot of advice and some guidelines on how to “safely” release a fish suffering from barotrauma, and we suggest you do your own research.
Many deepwater species can’t be successfully released under normal circumstances, so any fish boated should be retained.
The good old recommendation of “only catch what you need” stands true. Once you’ve either caught your bag limit, or what you want for a feed (within the bag limit), stop fishing.
GEAR SET UP
Check our our guide to deep dropping for a full gear guide.
