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

Big GT techniques

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Jay Burgess:
Ok so I've just started targeting GT's in my local area over the past month and a half and we've had a couple of good trips out. So far we haven't had any trouble locating big GT's, landing them is the problem. The ground we're fishing has heaps of big bommies scattered around shallow(ish) ground and landing any decent GT's is damn near impossible.

What strike drag should I be running? I'm currently using 80lb but am upgrading to YGK PE8 (113lb) line. Leader is 100lb twisted leader about 1.5-2m, would it be worthwhile upgrading to a 120lb twisty of a longer length?? Does anyone have any techniques which have helped them increase their chances of landing big GT's in similar ground??

I've found that even if you manage to turn it's head and pull it away from the main structure, it usually gets you on isolated bommies on the way back towards the boat. It's extremely frustrated and I'm longing to finally land that big one.

Brandon Khoo:
Jay, it reads like the areas you're fishing is shallow and very rocky. If that is the case, it's going to be bloody tough landing a big fish in that type of area. To start with, I'd suggest you look at going to PE10 - 130lb instead of PE8. You can go as high as PE12 - 170lb! Start with a drag setting of about 15kg but be ready to palm the spool to increase the drag setting. I don't like starting with any more than 15kg as that just increase the risk of a break off on the strike. I'd suggest you go to 130lb or even more with your twisted leader. In really ugly areas, I'm using 170lb twisties. Also, my twisties are closer to 4m in length.

All I can suggest is load up your gear a bit more and when you do hook up try to drag it out to more open water. Once out in more open water, try and get right over the top of the fish.

Luke Wyrsta:
Everything Brandon said - but you need someone on at the helm as soon as you hook-up to be strategically moving the boat into open water, this usually involves pumping the drag down, holding on and powering away from the structure.

Jay Burgess:
Thanks for the responses guys.

Brandon, I'm using a SP-78H, PE10 is at the upper limit of what it's rated to, can it handle 130lb line OK? So far we've only been starting off with about 10kg of drag, which for a novice like me is still a fair bit to hang onto (I decided to go a bit easier on the drag until I increased my confidence). I will consider going up to 15kg like you recommended but what sort of impact will it have on the rod, will it handle it OK? Do you ever have strike break off's with 15kg?

Mick Cunningham:
hi jay ..
i think your sp 78h should be okay to handle the 130lb .. but you will have to lower the rod when you hook it up ... and then when it stop running awy then you can pull it up ..

my sp710h rod that i used at shoalwater bay trip .. i used 120lb line on it and i had 13kg of drag on it .. but the big g,s got away so i decide to put more drag on it so i went up to about  16kg of drag and i still can,t stop the big g,s who got away and i was blown away  ;D... so i hope that will help... only way is keep your rod low.. anyway i am going to get another rod for me  ::) ;D

mick

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