Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) > Tackle & Techniques

How you fight GT in the shallow.

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Sachin Chaudhry:
Hi Adrian.
I pop a fair bit in quite shallow water say from 6 to 10 feet.
As Jon said you need to hold that rod as high possible and moving the boat around helps.
The other thing that comes into play is rod length.
I find a rod around 8ft to 8ft 6 inches allows you to get more of the line out of the water.
Something to consider if you will mostly be fishing in very shallow water.

Adrian Wong:
Many thanks guys for the input  ;D. Well, I've lost some 'battles' with 'them' but nevertheless enjoyed my trip and the fights no doubt. It was so tiring popping for the first 2 days especially not 1 bite was recorded... >:(, but told myself not to give up just like that... :D.

Well, my set up were:
Rod: Eupro hammer 8' PE3-6,
Reel: Stella 10k,
Line : Berkley Whiplash 80lbs.

Friends onboard with me are all newbies to GT popping, so it actually makes me a more 'experinced' fisherman with other types of fishing like bottom and surfcasting. Maybe I didn't talk to staffs onboard enough to pick up pointers from them.  :D. I did thought of bringing the rod higher to slow those GT runs, but by doing this wouldn't it be increasing chances to break the rod? Maybe I need to get a new rod  ;D? I always tried to held rod at about 45 degree angle.

Although rod stated PE3-6, many friends who tried it commended that it should be in the PE8 rating. As for the reel, don't think stella would have any issue, but got myself another SW18k  :D. Think the area I got a bad choice was Whiplash here, many wind knots. Almost none when I switch to Varivas PE6.

Last but not least, like what you guys said.....LUCK! Should go to 'temple' for prayers before trip like this.... ;D. It happened so many times that when my popper hits the water besides those rocks, stirke came in within the first 2-3 pops of poppers. It was so close to these rocks that with a blink of an eye, the line was cut yet again.  :'(. Will practice my popping soon with the sails soon in West Malaysia.

Anyway, I'm really happy that I found this site so I could get advises from gurus like you guys here. ;D. Many thanks guys!

Jon Li:
Hi Adrian ,

IMHO , you may need to upgrade your rod in order to be " on par " with the reel you are using .

Jon .

Andy Rowe:

--- Quote from: Jon Li on January 10, 2009, 02:07:20 AM ---

Langwan , a member of this forum , works in Lombok n if you drop him a pm , I am sure he can help you as he is an accomplished GT fisherman . Nothing better than going fishing with an experienced angler then just reading about how n what to do , in GT fishing .


Jon .   

--- End quote ---

 :-[  :-[ Jon you are far more accomplished than I...haaaa but thanks.

Hi Adrian,

Just read your last post, you have to 'gear up' for south coast of lombok, I presume that is where you were?? The geology of the south coast is particularly hard on fishing, the raggedness of the shallow outcrops and texture of those volcanics will sever a good leader quickly, let alone braid.

I have fished off the rocks there enough to have pretty much given up the cause for a sea-bourne approach.

Yep your going to need a more powerful rod which you already know, and maybe PE10 as large loners are present. Try 4 to 5 m of 200+lb nylon leader, reduce the amount of line on your spool so you can sit that extra leader 'in' the spool when casting and avoid wind knots, smooth casting technique will also reduce wind knots. You will also need a slim leader connection like a PR or FG knot so it will sit on the spool and go through the guides without catching. As is also suggested by Jon up your initial drag setting, with that and good boat work you will have a better chance of keeping the fish's head up and away from the razor sharp and abundant snags.

Nothing new here, it is all stated above...welcome to the money hole   ;) ;)...enjoy

Cheers
Andy
AKA langwan on another forum

Brandon Khoo:
Adrian, it looks to me like you're completely outgunned on gear at the moment. Provided you can handle it, I'd suggest you look at moving up to PE10 in both the line and the rod. I have no familiarity with the rod you have but in shallow water on even 15 to 20kg fish, you're going to get your butt kicked with the weight of the gear you're currently using   :D

I don't think there is much more anyone can add to what has already been written - you need to be able to take up the load on the fish as quickly as possible and for the boat captain to be able to get you in deeper water on hook-up.

Finally - there are some experienced anglers but no gurus here. If you fish enough for GTs, you get your butt tanned too often to have any claim on guru status!  :D

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