Leatherjacket
Leatherjackets are found in cooler waters and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Due to their tough exterior and diverse diet, the Leatherjacket can survive in most areas around South Australia.
Cooking Leatherjacket
Texture
Medium to firm
Flavour
Mild flavour not very overpowering
Storing
Best to be wrapped in muslin or freezer film and placed in a container with ice under the fish
Cooking
Leatherjack reaches its full potential when baked, grilled or curried.
Wine pairing
White wine, Riesling
Catching Leatherjacket
Habitat
Due to the tough nature of their exterior and sharp teeth Leatherjackets live among rocky areas and weeds.
Catch
They are more frequently found around rocky areas and local wharfs.
Seasonality
All year
Bait
Use small bait of prawn’s squid and octopus as Leatherjackets often take the bait off the line. Using berley can be used effectively to catch leather jackets. See bait and berley use for more information.
Size
No minimum size.
Gear
Longshank pattern size 8, alternatively paternoster rigs can also be successful to catch Leatherjackets. See recreational fishing gear for more information.
Handling
Leatherjackets have very powerful jaws in conjunction with sharp teeth, best to keep hands away from the mouth. Additionally, the tough skin can be very tough to piece therefore a sharp knife is required for more precision. See handling your catch for more information.