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

Locating GTs - TIPS Please!!

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Ben Rivers:
Guys,

Heading to the Swains/Coral Sea for 10 days - im relativley new to GT Fishing.

This charter is an unguided charter, when we head out in 3s from the Mothership.

Can I get some advice on what to look for, when targeting GTs?

Thanks Ben.

Warwick Joyce:
Same rules apply everywhere ben, look for current pushing onto reef edges/drop offs and bommies and most importantly look for bait. If there is a patch of showering bait launch a popper into it!

All the tips you will ever need are on this site, take a look around, your not the first to ask the question.

If your after area specific info, my best advice is to check out g-earth. Take some screen shots and gps points and your half way there.

Lars Nielsen:
Hey Ben,

It is not rocket science. I would say you need to look for five things:

1) Structure: GT stick around rocks or reef. Remember in India, they call it "rock fish" for a reason. :)

2) Current: The GT have the upper hand on their prey when there is current - they are less prone to be hunting where there is none. Look at the sea charts for places where the tide will be compressed by structure. Note that current is surprisingly unpredictable - sometimes it is just not where and when you would expect it. So you may have to cruise around between likely spots to look for it. That is most often a better investment than endless casting.

3) Bait: Keep an eye on the sounder: The more baitfish, the better chance the GT are there.

4) Clear water: If the water is the least bit murky, you usually will not catch GT.

5) Peace and quiet: GT hate any disturbance from man - especially fishing, of course. :) The more untouched, the better.

Good luck,

Lars

Kamalu Charlot:
One thing I noticed is they like to be at the end of current to catch the fish being pushed off.  Another is sand channels that are kind of a highway for them.  There was a study and I have seen it for myself that when bait is not around they will eat crustaceans.  I have seen them 'grazing' inches from shore on rough days.

Mark Harris:
Some very good advice there.

Ben, I think it is important to bear in mind that GTs are very fickle and there is much that we do not understand about their habits.

That being said, both current and tide are clearly important factors. At sites I fish regularly, I can tell almost right away upon arrival if the current is right. As others have said look for strong currents pushing against structure (eg a headland) or between structure (eg two offshore rocks). Moon phases obviously have considerable effect on that and periods at or just after full and new moons are often the most productive.

Picking where GTs might be according to tide is I think more difficult, and is where local experience comes to the fore. For example, at two sites I fish a lot, one tends to only hold larger GTs either side of high tide. At another site nearby, the best chances of a large fish are on the tide change, especially the change from low tide to  incoming water.

If you follow some of the basic guidelines in this discussion and remain patient, you ought to find some GTs. The very best of luck to you.

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