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

Rigging a stick bait for marlin

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Brandon Khoo:
The hooks used for sailfish are primarily saltwater flyfishing hooks like Owner Akis

Robert Palcak:
We have an up and coming trip to Fiji and although our primary target will be GT's, I do plan on having a go at some Sails and Marlin. I've been into chasing Marlin for a few years now and have come up with a game plan.
Here's my strategy...
To find a beakie... either look for them as Shane mentioned, or tease them up to the boat, then switch them onto a "cast" Stickbait or Popper.
I have searched for a good "marlin" hook and a has already been mention, you will really struggle to set a heavy gauged hook into a marlin's mouth. The closest hook I've found to suit my mission is a Mustard Hoodlum in a 10/0. I believe that Owner Jobu's, the old Pakula Katana's or the new Dojo hooks would also suit. For the tail hook, I've rigged it with about 3 - 4" of 200lb 49 strand wire to gaurd against abrassion. Same hooks again on the belly set up as a baker rig or a head assit rig again using the same hook (will be experimenting with the 2 methods).
The leader will be single strand mono attached to suit, ie, 200lb for small Blacks/Stripies/Sails and 300lb for Blues (yes I know... big call attempting a Blue on spin tackle ;)).
The rods will be similar to what you use for Tuna, as Marlin are just another Pelagic fish... not a Reef Dweller. I will be using a BC75MH with a Stella 10000SW with approx 400m of 50lb Tufline as the lighter outfit, and a TBL711/35RF with a Stella 18000SW (20K spool) spooled with approx 400m of 80lb Tufline. I believe that in most cases this is ample line as you should be using the boat to chase the fish down. Drags will be set @ 8 - 12kg and only adjusted if absolutely needed.

Anyway, I've put a fair bit of thought into this and fingers crossed, it all comes together. I am certainly no expert and am open to further suggestions.

Note - none of the above is IGFA legal... it's purely for fun  ;D

Brock Arifovic:
Robert, you have been doing your homework, when do you leave, & who will you be fishing with over there?

Shane Hartstone:
We have been toying around with Gamakatsu Sl12's in 10/0(SWF hook).  We tried to break one the other day, but couldnt do it.  They are quite long in the shank too, is this an advantage or a disadvantage?  Bloody sharp tho.

Robert, and lure in particular you have picked out?

Robert Palcak:
G'day Shane
The SL12's are a brilliant hook... In my opinion, they are one of the best hooks of all time for setting in a Marlin's mouth, however, they are only really rated for up to 15kg game outfits. I do know of a few guys that will push the drag up to around 7kg, but I certainly wouldn't push the hook any harder than that as it will bend or flex enough for the fish to spit the lure.
I'm not 100% sure on which stickbaits I'll be using... although I'm pretty keen to try out the new Bobara's in 50 and 100g sizes

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