Skip to content

Search

Popular pages

How to catch Largehead hairtail

Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, 1758

About Largehead hairtail fishing

The largehead hairtail is a striking pelagic predator belonging to the cutlassfish family Trichiuridae. It features an elongated, ribbon-like body with a mirror-like silvery steel blue finish, large eyes, and a prominent jaw equipped with long, fang-like teeth. Growing up to 234 cm in maximum length and a weight of 5 kg, this species typically averages around 100 cm. It inhabits coastal brackish and saltwater environments across tropical and temperate regions, frequently moving over soft muddy bottoms down to depths of 589 metres. Largehead hairtails form dense shoals and exhibit diel vertical migrations, feeding primarily on small pelagic fishes, squids, and crustaceans. Spawning occurs across extended periods depending on water temperature. Highly valued for its excellent commercial and sporting qualities, it is actively pursued by anglers worldwide.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    100 cm TL

  • Market value

    High

  • Habitat

    Brackish, Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn

  • Also known as

    Atlantic Cutlassfish, Atlantic cutlassfish, Australian hairtail, Common hairtail, Cox's hairtail, Cutlass fish

Largehead hairtail

Striking body shape

Extremely elongate ribbon-like body tapering into a thread-like tail identifies the hairtail.

Superior mouth

Large mouth with prominent fang-like teeth opens upward for predatory feeding.

Long dorsal fin

Very long dorsal fin extends continuously along most of the back length.

Pelvic fins absent

Pelvic fins are suppressed or absent, distinguishing it from many other ray-finned fishes.

Largehead hairtail fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    100 cm TL (max 234 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    0.8 kg (max 5 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    10.1–23.2 °C

  • Depth

    0–589 m

  • Longevity

    15 years

  • Body shape

    Eel Like

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    52.5

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Active

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Low

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Low

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Peak

When to fish for Largehead hairtail

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 Largehead hairtail

Tips for catching Largehead hairtail

Targeting largehead hairtails requires capitalising on their nocturnal feeding habits and vertical migration patterns. Anglers find great success by fishing from piers, boats, or deep shore marks during dusk and nighttime hours when these pelagic predators ascend toward midwater and surface layers. Use medium-heavy spinning gear equipped with wire traces to withstand razor-sharp fangs, and impart erratic, enticing actions with metal jigs or slender soft plastics. Natural dead baits presented on paternoster rigs near deep drop-offs or soft muddy channels also yield consistent catches during periods of low light and slack water.

Other names for Largehead hairtail

Local and alternate names anglers use for Largehead hairtail.

  • Cutlassfish
  • Cutlass fish
  • Cox's hairtail
  • Australian hairtail
  • Common hairtail
  • Atlantic cutlassfish
  • Cuttlassfish
  • Largehead hairtail
  • Large-headed hairtail
  • Hair-tail
  • Sable fish
  • Ribbonfish
  • Ribbon fish
  • Large-headed ribbonfish
  • Large headed hairtail
  • Grey ribbon fish
  • Large-head ribbonfish
  • Hair tail

Best equipment to catch Largehead hairtail

Compare fishing methods for Largehead hairtail — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.8 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Largehead hairtail

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

How Largehead hairtail migrates — Amphidromous

Moves between fresh and salt water during its life, but not specifically to spawn. Fish the estuary and the lower river.

How Largehead hairtail migrates — Amphidromous 1. Eggs: Spawned at sea or along the coast. 2. Larvae: Drift inshore with the currents. 3. Juveniles: Move into estuaries, lagoons and fresh water to feed and grow. 4. Adults: Return to the sea to mature and spawn.
Fresh water Estuary Sea

1 Eggs

Sea

Spawned at sea or along the coast.

2 Larvae

→ Estuary

Drift inshore with the currents.

3 Juveniles

Fresh water

Move into estuaries, lagoons and fresh water to feed and grow.

4 Adults

→ Sea

Return to the sea to mature and spawn.

The crossing is for feeding and growth, not to spawn.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Largehead hairtail

  • Diet

    Top predator

  • Feeds by

    Hunts animals

  • Hunts

    Dusk · Night

  • Feeds over

    Soft bottom · Coral reefs · Mangroves

  • Social

    Shoaling

  • Main prey

    Baitfish · Bottom prey

Prey and predators of Largehead hairtail

Prey is what Largehead hairtail eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Predators

What hunts it

Where Largehead hairtail lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Brackish, Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral, Bathyal
0–589 m
Usually 100–350 m
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Largehead hairtail

Mapped fishing spots where Largehead hairtail is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

Rio Andaraí

Rio de JaneiroRio de JaneiroBrazil