Where to fish

Giant trevally (GT) inhabit coastal and offshore waters from the central Western Australian coast north around to the central coast of New South Wales. GT’s are wide ranging and can be found cruising in shallower nearshore as well as offshore reef structures such as coral reefs and atolls, pinnacles and drop-offs. When targeting GT’s look for washy areas where bait are holding up, particularly fusiliers around offshore reefs and atolls.

How to target

Giant trevally will take live or dead whole fish and fillet baits as well as soft plastics and trolled minnows, but by far the most exciting and sporting way to target them is on large surface lures like poppers and stickbaits.

When targeting GT’s by boat pull up in deeper water within casting distance of an area of interest, a reef outcrop for example, and cast large poppers or stickbaits towards the reef edge and work the lure back to the boat, imparting as much action to the lure as possible. Upon hookup drive the fish off the reef fast!

Rod & Reel

Minimum rod length for casting of 7ft and up to 9 ft. Preferably choose a strong, lightweight graphite rod rated PE 6-10 to suit the lure size and area you plan to fish. A lower cost example would be the Azusa 902H or for high end Carpenter Monster Hunter and Blue Lagoon.

A quality reel is advisable for example Shimano Stella, Sustain, Biomaster size10000-20000 or the Daiwa Saltiga or Saltist size 4500-6500.

Line and leader

• Mainline PE 6-10 braid

• Min.100-200lb leader, fluorocarbon preferred

Terminal Tackle

• Quality high breaking strain crane swivel

• Quality high breaking strain split ring

• Quality trebles e.g. Owner Stingers or Decoys

Best Lures

Large poppers such as Dumbbells, Black Jack Cubera and Tuna, Hammerheads, Fishermans, Carpenters etc, and large stickbaits such as Black Jack Ulua, Shimano Ocea, Daiwa Dorodo, etc.

Best Bait

Live whole or dead fish caught on location. Fillet baits can work but not as well.

Filleting

We strongly encourage catch and release fishing for this for this highly regarded sport fish.

Hints & tips

Giant trevally are generally caught around coastal offshore reefs from the central WA coast north around to the central NSW coast. Anglers target them with high quality, strong, lightweight outfits using large poppers and stickbait lures.

• When a fish follows don’t speed up the retrieve. Keep doing what you are doing and even throw in a pause if they are still not hitting.
• In calmer conditions work poppers with a slower retrieve with big sweeps of the rod to displace more water.
• Always be ready for a strike. You will often get hit as soon as the lure hits the water.
• In calmer conditions or when the fish are less aggressive use stickbaits with an aggressive walk-the-dog technique with the rod tip down to get the lure darting.

Rigging for lure casting

This method involves casting and retrieving large poppers or stickbaits over and around reef structure. Join your braided mainline to: a) a twisted leader by tying a Bimini twist, or b) a single strand leader by tying a FG knot, PR knot, Fingertrap knot or similar. At the other end of the leader attach a quality crane swivel by tying a Uni knot, Chain knot or similar (even when using a twisted leader). Connect the swivel directly to a quality split ring on the lure and you’re away.

Rigging for live baiting

This method involves fishing live whole fish baits from the shore, jetties, or boat. Keep the rig simple; connect the mainline to a basic rig (as pictured right) consisting of a 6/0-10/0 hook, 100-200lb leader (preferably fluorocarbon) and a quality high breaking strain crane swivel. Insert the hook through the nose or shoulder of a live baitfish such as Fusilier, Herring, Mullet or similar. For dead whole fish baits or fillets use the same rig just insert a running ball sinker between the swivel and hook.

Click here for more Information On Giant Trevally

Information courtesy of Che Carson, Perth WA and Department of Fisheries WA. Photos courtesy of Rock Wyrsta, Sydney NSW. Visit gtpopping.com for more details.