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How to catch Blue moki

Latridopsis ciliaris (Forster, 1801)

About Blue moki fishing

The blue moki is a marine ray finned fish belonging to the family Latridae, distinguished by a short and deep body shape and bluish flanks. Reaching a maximum length of 80 centimetres and weights approaching 9 kilograms, this demersal species inhabits temperate coastal waters of the southwestern Pacific down to depths of 50 metres. Juveniles typically reside inshore around rocky reefs and kelp beds, while adults form schools over open sandy bottoms or maintain solitary territories near rocky outcrops. They feed primarily on benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans and molluscs. Adults undertake seasonal coastal migrations to specific spawning grounds during the winter months.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    63 cm TL

  • Market value

    Very high

  • Habitat

    Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

  • Also known as

    Moki, Trumpeter

Blue moki

Vertical Bands

Distinct dark vertical bands along the upper flanks help identify this moki.

Long Pectoral Fin

Elongated pectoral fin reaches past the pelvic fin insertion.

Deep Body Shape

Deep, compressed oval body profile distinguishes this species.

Blue moki fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    63 cm TL (max 80 cm FL )

  • Typical weight

    2.2 kg (max 8.8 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    14.9–21.4 °C

  • Depth

    10–50 m

  • Longevity

    33 years

  • Body shape

    Short And / Or Deep

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    50.7

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Peak

When to fish for Blue moki

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Blue moki

Tips for catching Blue moki

Anglers target this species primarily along surf beaches featuring adjacent rocky reefs, foul ground, or kelp beds where benthic invertebrates accumulate. Success relies heavily on presenting natural offerings like fresh mussels or crabs securely bound to long shank hooks with bait cotton. Fishing is most productive during low light transitions around dawn and dusk, as well as across the lower stages of rising tides when fish move close to the shore to feed. Because these fish can be cautious biters and fight tenaciously near snags, anglers must remain attentive to rod tips and use strong lines to steer them clear of obstacles.

Other names for Blue moki

Local and alternate names anglers use for Blue moki.

  • Blue moki
  • Trumpeter
  • Moki

Best equipment to catch Blue moki

Compare fishing methods for Blue moki — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 2.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Blue moki

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Blue moki migrates — Inshore–offshore

Shifts between shallow inshore water and deeper offshore grounds with the season.

How Blue moki migrates — Inshore–offshore 1. Warm months: Stay close inshore through the warm months. 2. Cold months: Move offshore into deeper water as it cools.
Inshore Offshore

1 Warm months

Inshore

Stay close inshore through the warm months.

2 Cold months

Offshore

Move offshore into deeper water as it cools.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Blue moki

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Feeds by

    Hunts animals

  • Hunts

    Dawn · Dusk · Night

  • Feeds over

    Hard bottom

Where Blue moki lives

Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.

Habitats
Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral
Continental shelf · 10–50 m
Water column
Demersal
On or near the bed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Blue moki

Mapped fishing spots where Blue moki is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

Ohahoa Bay

ChristchurchCanterburyNew Zealand

Sumner Bay

ChristchurchCanterburyNew Zealand

Te Waipapa / Diamond Harbour

ChristchurchCanterburyNew Zealand

Scorching Bay

Wellington CityWellingtonNew Zealand

Waikouaiti River

DunedinOtagoNew Zealand

Robinson Bay

Lower HuttWellingtonNew Zealand

Heathcote River

ChristchurchCanterburyNew Zealand

Waikouaiti Bay

DunedinOtagoNew Zealand

Hawke Bay

HastingsHawke's BayNew Zealand