Hunting Australia’s Tastiest Fish with James and Jacq Driftin

Australia is home to some of the best eating fish in the world. But if you ask 10 different fishos what the tastiest fish is, you will probably get 10 different answers. So, we decided there was only one way to find out for ourselves: load the boat, grab the dive gear and head offshore on a mission to hunt down what we reckon could be Australia’s tastiest fish.

We’re James and Jacq Driftin, and for this adventure we were based in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. After weeks of poor weather and dirty water, we finally had a weather window too good to ignore. The plan was simple enough: find clean water, dive some remote reef, hopefully get a trout or bluebone, and finish the day with a fresh fish cook-up on the beach.

Heading Offshore for Clear Water

The last few months had been tough for visibility. A lot of the Western Australian coastline had been holding brown water, and we had not had much more than around five metres of visibility for ages. When you are diving reef, especially in deeper water, being able to actually see the bottom makes a massive difference.

We started by running around 30 to 35 kilometres offshore, then kept pushing wider in the hope of finding bluer, cleaner water. Eventually, we hit the kind of water we had been waiting for. The ocean turned crystal clear, the reef started showing through from the boat, and we could even spot crayfish antennas down on the bommies. After so long diving in dirty water, it felt unreal.

First Dive: Coral Trout Everywhere

As soon as we jumped in, the place was loaded with coral trout. It was one of those spots where you almost have to stop and remind yourself how lucky you are. There were trout cruising everywhere, plenty of painted crays tucked away in the reef, and that clean blue water made the whole place feel alive.

Jacq was first up on the gun, and the goal was to find a nice lunch-sized trout. She dropped down, settled on the bottom and waited for the right fish to come in. Before long, she had a clean shot on a beautiful coral trout around the 50-centimetre mark. It was exactly the kind of fish we had hoped to find.

In Western Australia, you are only allowed one coral trout per person, which we think is a good thing. The trout stocks where we were diving looked really healthy, and seeing so many legal fish on one reef was pretty special.

Taking the Gamble

After that first dive, we had a decision to make. There were plenty of good trout out in the clear water, but we knew there was a chance of finding a bigger one closer in around the islands, even if the water was dirtier. It was a gamble.

I had trout all around me in that 50 to 55-centimetre range, but I decided to save my one trout and see if we could find something better later in the day. Of course, that is always the risk with spearfishing. Sometimes the fish are easy and curious, and other days they are switched on and gone before you even get close.

Bluebone Enters the Chat

Later in the day, after a few more dives and a bit of searching, I managed to get a nice bluebone. We also came across a big ornate cray, which was awesome to see. The ornate crays are easy to tell apart from the painted crays once you know what to look for, especially with the ring-like markings on their legs.

By then, we were starving. The original plan had been coral trout for lunch, but once that bluebone was on the boat, the decision pretty much made itself. Bluebone fish wraps on the beach sounded too good to pass up.

Fresh Bluebone Wraps on the Beach

We found ourselves a quiet little beach, pulled the boat in and got ready for a simple cook-up. The bluebone was 47 centimetres, which is not a giant, but it was a perfect-sized fish for lunch.

Bluebone are a bit slimy to fillet, so it helps to have somewhere clean to put the fillets and to cut a little hole near the tail so you can hold onto the skin properly. Once the fillets were off, the plan was as basic as it gets: fresh bluebone, a few veggies and wraps.

Sometimes people overthink cooking fish, but when the fish is that fresh and you are sitting on a beach after a big morning in the water, you do not need much. The bluebone was sweet, clean and absolutely delicious. It was exactly the kind of meal that makes all the effort worth it.

The Gear We Were Using

A few people have been asking about the dive gear we have been using, especially the new wetsuits. I have been diving in the Adreno Ascension 3.5mm two-piece wetsuit. The loading pad is solid, which makes a big difference when you are loading and unloading all day, and the utility pocket is handy for keeping a torch and throw flasher close by.

It also has reinforced knees, which is great when you are lying on the bottom, kneeling on reef or wrestling crays out of holes. It has been comfortable enough to stay in all day, which is exactly what you want when you are constantly getting in and out of the boat.

Jacq has been diving in the Adreno Tuna 3mm two-piece wetsuit. It gives her the comfort and flexibility she needs for long days in the water, and it has been a great setup for this kind of warm-water spearfishing.

Why We Love Days Like This

This was not the biggest dive day we have ever had, but it was one of those simple days that reminds us why we love this lifestyle. We had clear water, healthy reef, coral trout everywhere, a good bluebone, a beach cook-up and a full day outside doing what we enjoy most.

One of the best parts about diving is that you can have a big day on the water without losing heaps of fishing gear or burning through a fortune in tackle. You head out, dive, take what you need, enjoy a fresh feed and come home with enough fish for dinner as well.

Is Bluebone Australia’s Tastiest Fish?

Coral trout is always going to be high on the list. It is one of the best eating reef fish in Australia and we will never complain about fresh trout. But on this day, the bluebone absolutely earned its place in the conversation.

Cooked simply in wraps on the beach, it was sweet, fresh and seriously good. Is it Australia’s tastiest fish? That is always going to depend on who you ask, but after this day, bluebone is right up there for us.

Where We’re Heading Next

After spending a couple of months based around the Pilbara, we are getting ready to keep moving north. The next chapter is the Kimberley, Broome, Dampier and wherever else the road and weather take us.

We do not have too many fixed plans, which is exactly how we like it. If there are fish to chase, reefs to dive and new places to explore, we are keen. We have also got a boat review video coming soon, with around 600 hours on the boat in about a year and a half, so there is plenty more to come.

Thanks for joining us for another day on the water. Watch the full episode above and follow along as we keep chasing clear water, fresh fish and the next adventure.

Always check current local fishing and spearfishing rules, including size limits, bag limits, zones and seasonal closures, before targeting any species.