Red Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) & (Packhorse Crayfish) (Sagmariasus verreauxi)

Crayfish are active year-round but are easiest to find in shallower waters during warmer months . In winter, they move deeper, making them a tougher target.

Best Spots to Target Them
Crays love rocky reefs, caves, and kelp beds , using cracks and crevices as their hideouts. Keep an eye out for recent landslides along the shoreline —fallen rocks create new shelters where crays love to settle.

Recognising the Species

• Spiny Red Rock Lobsters ("reds") – Smaller and widespread, found all along NZ’s coastline.
• Packhorse Crayfish ("packies") – Green, massive (up to 15kg) , and more common in northern waters.

Size and Legal Limits
Measuring correctly is crucial:

• Reds are measured across the tail
• Packies are measured by tail length

Always check MPI size limits before catching to ensure you’re within legal regulations.

Hunting crays is all about patience, stealth, and a bit of local knowledge. Here’s how to up your game:

Find the Right Spot 

• Look for rocky reefs, caves, and cracks—crays love these hiding spots.

• Check under kelp beds and take it slow. If you rush, you’ll miss them.

• Pro Tip: If you see a recent landslide on the shoreline, there’s a good chance rocks have tumbled into the water, creating fresh cray hideouts.

Don’t Go Cray Cray 

• Found one? There’s probably more! Instead of charging at the first one you see, scope out the area and plan your approach.

• Start down-current and work your way up, collecting as you go.

• Every now and then, look up—tall structures with small fish hanging around are a great marker for cray hotspots.

Grab and Go 

Once you’ve got one in your sights, speed is everything:

• Keep your hand low and move in slowly.

• When the moment’s right, strike fast! Grab it by the horns and transfer it to your other hand (or tuck it under your arm) so you’re ready for another.

• With some practice, you’ll be pulling two or three crays per dive like a pro. 

Species: Jasus edwardsii (Red Rock Lobster) & Sagmariasus verreauxi (Packhorse Crayfish)

Average Size: Reds ~1kg, Packies ~5–15kg

Habitat: Rocky reefs, kelp beds, underwater caves

Diet: Scavengers – they’ll eat almost anything they can find on the seafloor 

**Be sure to check out the MPI site to see the legal take size for your area.

There’s no better way to end a successful dive than throwing fresh crays on the BBQ. Their sweet, tender meat is incredibly versatile, and whether you keep it simple or get fancy, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Top Cooking Methods:

• BBQ with Garlic Butter – Crack them in half, brush with butter, garlic, and lemon, and grill over a hot flame.

• Crayfish Thermidor – A creamy, cheesy classic if you want to go gourmet.

• Simple Boil – Drop them in salted boiling water for a few minutes, then serve with lemon and mayo.

• Crayfish Tacos – Dice the meat, mix with lime, coriander, and chili, and throw into soft tacos for a fresh twist.

Try this BBQ Lime & Chilli Crayfish recipe from Nadia Lim:  Click Here