How to catch New Zealand blue cod
Parapercis colias (Forster, 1801)
About New Zealand blue cod fishing
The New Zealand blue cod is a demersal marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Pinguipedidae. It features an elongated, robust body with striking blue to greenish-blue hues dorsally that shade to a lighter belly, while younger specimens display distinct brown blotches. Reaching a maximum length of 45 cm and a maximum weight of 2.5 kg, this species inhabits rocky areas and reef margins down to depths of 150 metres. It operates as a territorial carnivore, stalking benthic macrofauna such as small fish and crabs before swallowing its prey whole. Adults maintain home ranges in structured coastal waters and undergo unique sex changes from female to male during their lifespan.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
35 cm TL
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Market value
High
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Habitat
Saltwater
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Season
Spring, Autumn, Winter
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Also known as
Blue cod, Sandperch
Operculum Present
Distinct gill cover with striking blue and orange markings distinguishes this species.
Blue and Orange Stripes
Unique bright blue and orange lines across the cheek identify the blue cod.
Truncate Caudal Fin
Slightly rounded to truncate tail fin helps distinguish this sandperch.
New Zealand blue cod fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
35 cm TL (max 45 cm TL ) -
Typical weight
0.5 kg (max 2.5 kg ) -
Preferred temperature
8.5–16.5 °C -
Depth
52–150 m -
Longevity
17 years -
Body shape
Elongated -
Commercial?
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Vulnerability score
35.6
Best hours
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Active
Dawn
First light
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Peak
Morning
After sunrise
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Low
Midday
High sun
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Peak
Afternoon
Late day
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Active
Dusk
Last light
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Low
Night
After dark
When to fish for New Zealand blue cod
How to catch New Zealand blue cod
Tips for catching New Zealand blue cod
Targeting this territorial bottom dweller requires presenting baits or lures tightly against structured rocky ground, bedrock outcrops, and kelp margins where adults establish home ranges. Because these fish feed actively by stalking benthic prey like small fish and crabs, bottom rigs baited with strips of squid, fish, or crab yield consistent results. Alternatively, working vertical jigs or soft plastic lures close to the seabed mimics their natural diet and triggers aggressive strikes. Focus your efforts during daylight hours, particularly in the warmer spring and summer months when coastal activity peaks.
Other names for New Zealand blue cod
Local and alternate names anglers use for New Zealand blue cod.
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Blue cod
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New Zealand blue cod
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Sandperch
Best equipment to catch New Zealand blue cod
Compare fishing methods for New Zealand blue cod — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 0.5 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
90% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 2.1 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
2.5 kg · 0.16 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
4 kg · 0.2 mm · 80 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
4
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Jigging
Working vertical lures with an active up-and-down motion.
80% Effectiveness
Rod
Jigging rod
A jigging rod is the short, powerful fishing rod for working a metal jig up through the column, including freshwater jigging.
Sized for a typical fish
heavy · 1.52 m
- Reel seat
- Casting
- Form factor
- One-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Jigging reel
A jigging reel is a compact, high-speed conventional for working metal jigs. A short retrieve picks up slack fast.
Sized for a typical fish
10 · 10 kg drag
- Spool
- Revolving
- Mount
- Over
- Drag
- Star
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
7 kg · 0.3 mm · 90 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Spinning
Casting and retrieving lures with a spinning rod and reel.
60% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 2.1 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
7 kg · 0.3 mm · 90 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Best lures and baits for New Zealand blue cod
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Squid
- Bottom Fishing
- Jigging
Elongated muscular body holds internal organs and secretes scent in the water.
02
Mackerel
- Bottom Fishing
Distinctive wavy dorsal stripes provide high contrast and flash underwater.
03
Crab
- Bottom Fishing
Hard upper shell protects the crab and anchors its vital organs.
04
Metal jig
- Jigging
A long metal lure for speed-jigging the deep column.
Where New Zealand blue cod spends the year — Non-migratory
Stays in the same waters year-round. Look for it on the same grounds rather than timing a run.
1 Eggs
Same water all year
Laid on the home grounds.
2 Juveniles
Same water all year
Grow up close by.
3 Adults
Same water all year
Keep to a small home range.
4 Spawners
Same water all year
Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of New Zealand blue cod
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Diet
Carnivore -
Feeds by
Hunts animals -
Hunts
Morning · Afternoon -
Feeds over
Hard bottom
Where New Zealand blue cod lives
Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.
52–150 m
Where this species lives
New Zealand blue cod photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.
Where to fish for New Zealand blue cod
Mapped fishing spots where New Zealand blue cod is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.
