Saltwater · Year-round; best April to August when fish rise and spawn

Uku (Green Jobfish)

Aprion virescens

Uku, the green jobfish, is a prized Hawaiian bottom fish — a streamlined green-bronze snapper built more like a tuna than a reef snapper. It holds over deep reef slopes most of the year, then rises toward the surface to feed and spawn in spring and summer.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Uku (Green Jobfish) — Photo: Hugues Evano (IFREMER, Délégation océan Indien (DOI), Département Ressources Biologiques et Environnement (RBE), F-97420, CC BY 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Streamlined green to bronze-green body — unusually sleek for a snapper
Last ray of the dorsal and anal fins drawn out longer than the others
Pointed snout and large mouth with strong canine teeth
Deeply forked tail built for open-water swimming
No spots or bars — the plain green-bronze colour separates it from most Hawaiian snappers

Habits

Holds over 200-400 ft (60-120 m) reef slopes and ledges by day
Rises in the water column to feed in spring and summer, sometimes schooling near the surface
Feeds on small fish, squid and crustaceans
Spawns through spring and summer over deep reef areas
Wary of heavy tackle — lighter leaders draw more bites in clear water

Distribution

Honolulu, HI · Hawaii★ Primary

Where to find them

Deep reef slopes off Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island
Known bottom-fishing grounds (koʻa) over 200-400 ft ledges
Points and current lines where uku rise in spring and summer

Where they live

Deep reef slopes at 200-400 ft (60-120 m)Ledges and pinnacles off Hawaiian coastsOpen water above deep structure when rising to feed

How to catch them

Deep jigging and live bait (bottom fishing) Boat

Rig: Conventional or heavy spinning outfit fished over 200-400 ft (60-120 m) reef slopes, with jigs or baited leaders dropped to the ledges

Bait/lure: Live baitfish, squid, metal jigs

Key tip: Anchor or drift precisely over the ledge — uku hold tight to specific deep structure (koʻa).

Trolling and casting when they rise Boat

Rig: Medium trolling or casting gear worked around points and current lines in spring and summer, when uku come up to feed

Bait/lure: Small lures, skirted trolling heads, live bait

Key tip: Watch for surface activity and birds in spring and summer — risen uku will strike trolled and cast lures.

Best baits & lures

Live baitfish and fresh squidMetal jigs for deep jiggingCut fish and shrimp

Techniques for Uku (Green Jobfish) →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium-heavy boat rod for deep bottom work
Line: 50-80 lb braid or mono
Terminal: Deep jigs, multi-hook bait leaders, 8-16 oz leads

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

9' 5-weight fly rod outfit

≈ US$180-260

Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.

Flies · Budget

Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)

≈ US$25-40

Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 5-15 lb (2.3-6.8 kg); large fish to about 30 lb (13.6 kg)

On the table

Excellent — one of Hawaiʻi's premium food fish, prized raw and cooked.

Similar species

Queen SnapperQueen snapper is a deepwater Atlantic and Gulf fish — bright red with a very large eye; uku is green-bronze and Hawaiian

Gray SnapperGray snapper is a smaller inshore mangrove fish, grey and barred as a juvenile; uku is far larger, green and built for deep open water

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

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