Blue warehou are a cool-water offshore fish that turn up in southern Australian waters and fight better than plenty of anglers expect. They are well regarded for both sport and the table, especially when you find a proper school.
In Australia they are mostly found off southern coasts, from Tasmania across Victoria and South Australia to southern WA, usually over the continental shelf and around offshore reefs, pinnacles and bait-rich ground. They are commonly taken in deeper water rather than inshore, often from mid-water schools holding over structure or along current lines.
Blue warehou feed on small baitfish, krill, squid and other pelagic feed, and they usually work in schools. They spend a lot of time mid-water, picking off whatever the current pushes through, so when the bait is there they can switch on fast.
Tide matters most where current strength builds over reef edges, pinnacles and shelf country, with the bite often improving when moving water concentrates bait. Low light around dawn, dusk or heavy cloud can help fish rise and feed more freely, especially if bait is sitting higher in the water column. Light to moderate wind is generally easier to fish because you can hold position and present baits or jigs properly, while strong wind makes deep offshore work messy and cuts down your control. Smaller, manageable swell is usually best for comfort, boat control and staying on schools, while bigger swell can make offshore grounds hard to fish effectively even if the fish are still there.
A 10–15 kg boat outfit with braid is a good fit, matched to paternoster rigs, flasher rigs or small knife jigs worked through the mid-water zone. Fresh squid strips, pilchard pieces and slim baitfish all work, and a sounder is a big help because these fish often sit off the bottom rather than right on it. If the school is fussy, lighter leaders and smaller hooks can make a real difference.
Despite the name, blue warehou are actually related more closely to trevallies than true herring-style baitfish.