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General => General Topwater & Jigging Discussion => Topic started by: aaron on June 24, 2007, 07:39:23 PM

Title: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on June 24, 2007, 07:39:23 PM
i just moved to airlie beach QLD and love my fishing!!!  im really keen to start catchn monster GTs ..the only thing is i dont know any gt spots in this area.ive been throwing a halco roosta pooper around a lot and pretty much caught every thing but a gt.if any one could help me it would be very appreciated.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Brandon Khoo on June 30, 2007, 10:25:43 AM
Aaron, I have no familiarity with the area but there are a few features of the land (or more to the point, sea!) that you should look for with GTs. What you need is cover like bommies, reef, headlands, sea mounts and current. Lots of current is what GTs love. IThey also like big tides.

i just moved to airlie beach QLD and love my fishing!!!  im really keen to start catchn monster GTs ..the only thing is i dont know any gt spots in this area.ive been throwing a halco roosta pooper around a lot and pretty much caught every thing but a gt.if any one could help me it would be very appreciated.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on June 30, 2007, 12:08:51 PM
Sounds like you may also be fishing fairly shallow given that you are catching most other species?

Try to find some deeper drop-offs with all the factors that Brandon mentioned - only a matter of time.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Ivan Verhage on July 11, 2007, 07:28:36 PM
How deep is too deep to throw a popper Luke?

Thanks
Ivan
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on July 11, 2007, 09:49:39 PM
How deep is too deep to throw a popper Luke?

Thanks
Ivan

50/60 metres would be a general rule for me. These areas almost are always a drop-off or have good structure.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Greg Burt on July 11, 2007, 10:30:32 PM
One area 20miles off shore has a 10 mile long and one mile wide reef, going from 60m rubble on the Western side to 25m hard reef on top and then falls away sharply after 100mts down to 60m again on the Eastern side, it then sloops away to the shelf.
 It is a good area for reefies and all pelagics, with a few Bludger Trevally being caught in summer. Is this a GT like area or is the 25m on top to deep.? ???
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on July 11, 2007, 10:50:37 PM
One area 20miles off shore has a 10 mile long and one mile wide reef, going from 60m rubble on the Western side to 25m hard reef on top and then falls away sharply after 100mts down to 60m again on the Eastern side, it then sloops away to the shelf.
 It is a good area for reefies and all pelagics, with a few Bludger Trevally being caught in summer. Is this a GT like area or is the 25m on top to deep.? ???

Greg,

25m isn't too deep.

I think that would be a good place to try. Look for the shallowest areas that drop off significantly/sharply to deeper areas - also sound for bombies/pinnacles and other structure that may be relatively shallow. Also look for lots of current.

Even if you don't turn up GTs (and i would be surprised), you may have fun with mackeral and tuna.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on July 11, 2007, 10:54:22 PM
Greg,

I should clarify, if you want reliable and more consistent captures, the shallower the better. When i fish the deeper areas, i am always looking for trophy fish - which from my experiences, more often than not tend to lurk, stalk and then crash lures, rushing up from these deeper depths. Not a hard and fast rule but definately produces the good for me in terms of finding the bigger fish.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Neil Griffiths on July 12, 2007, 08:38:17 AM
Aaron, you don't mention what size roosta you're throwing, it's unlikely you will hook and land a truly big GT on a small popper.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: AustralianAngling on July 12, 2007, 08:50:04 AM
In the reef areas I work the pressure corners and outer edges.
If you are land based search for area at low tide that when it's high the stucture will hold bait.
Low tide can also be good too as bait has to move off reef top.
Look for bait presence, always a dead giveaway that a few GT's are close by.
When we work the reef area like the in the photo we will keep the boat just within casting distance of the reef top if possible, rough days can get a little hairy then cast to place lure on top of reef even up into the waves crashing on the reef.
Advantage of having a tower on boat you can spot large school of GT's travelling together.

FIND THE BAIT!!!



Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Cam Foley on July 12, 2007, 02:55:30 PM
Hey Greg are you thinking of throwing some poppers around out the banks?
That spot over near the cape ,were there is a big bombie would be the go wouldn't it.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on July 12, 2007, 05:42:12 PM
hey neil, ive been throwing a large halco roost haymaker,and thanks to all the great info on this site ive been smashed a few times and rasied a couple but no hook ups.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Greg Burt on July 12, 2007, 06:29:33 PM
Yeah Cam, the north end spot with the big Spaniards and Bludger Trevs, the Cape spot and Hutchies is a different kettle of fish [no pun intended] where GTs will be target species, 25 NM separates the two spots.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on July 13, 2007, 11:07:45 PM
thanks luke and brandon.have been fishing a lot of shallow reefs wich go from a few meters with sharp drops to about 20m.been drifting  out enought to just cast onto the reef and work lure towards ledge and back to boat.this spot i really like as it allways holds bait schools there when the tide is running and even know i havnt caught a gt there i know one day i will be there when they are.its only time
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 14, 2007, 10:22:35 AM
Aaron, that sounds about ideal in terms of the terrain. Also, try to find the areas where the current is coming through strongly and creating eddies. The location you're fishing sounds good for queenfish too!

If the bait schools are there, the GTs will be there. If you have a sounder and you find the bait hanging deep, don't hesitate to drop a jig down there as GTs will be hanging around the bait if they're feeding. For shallower water, look to jigs like Raiders, Spanyids and Bumpa Bars rather than the Japanese style knife jigs. This is only a personal thing but I need some depth to get a Japanese jig working (probably with the exception of sliders which lend themselves to a slow action).

The general rule is that if you find the bait, you will find the fish feeding on them.

Good luck and persevere - no doubt, you'll hit a good one soon!
Title: RIGHT ABOVE HERE
Post by: AustralianAngling on July 14, 2007, 05:34:23 PM
This was a good spot.

Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on July 15, 2007, 09:06:23 PM
brandon,you are spot on about the queen fish!!was there today doing sum jigging but no luck.the tides were big but really rough conditions.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 18, 2007, 09:00:44 PM
Aaron, I'm jealous. Queenies are one of the best light tackle fish around out there. They go absolutely ballistic when hooked and fight like crazy. When they're on, they'll hit anything. I saw stacks at Shoalwater this year in the same areas we were fishing for GTs and theywere big! I landed four of them in my last hour of fishing on a baitcaster and I had as much fun with them as I did with the GTs.

Don't let rough weather put you off fishing for GTs. They don't mind the chop. The difficulty is in keeping your balance on a boat to cast and retrieve. it sure is hard trying to work a popper effectively in those types of conditions and you may find a sub-surface stickbait (like an Orion Bigfoot) is easier to work.

Vary your fishing technique. if you can't get them popping, try a stickbait or even jigging for them. As a last alternative, catch yourself a Spanish Flag and drop it down there (whoops, I don't think I am supposed to say that ;D )
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Greg Burt on July 18, 2007, 10:15:05 PM
Baitcaster! Spanish Flag! tru believer huh? ;)
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 18, 2007, 10:39:14 PM
Spanish Flags make very good live bait indeed for big GTs although Fusiliers are better  ;D
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Hon-Su Chin on July 18, 2007, 10:52:50 PM
well....if you cant work surface lures in those conditions.....why not try a shallow diving minnow??
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on July 18, 2007, 11:04:49 PM
I'm ready to ban one moderator and one user right now.... :o
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 19, 2007, 07:08:03 AM
but, but I took great care in avoiding the mention of the "minnow" word!!   ;D
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Greg Burt on July 19, 2007, 09:19:09 AM
A huh, I see it all, a minnow in Fusilier colours  :o ;)
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Hon-Su Chin on July 19, 2007, 09:52:27 AM
lol.....wat about a popping minnow???   ;D ;D
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on July 21, 2007, 04:12:43 AM
brandon<how good are queenies!!!light gear,clean fighters,there jump they fight hard!!!!what else do u want in a fish!!!!
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on July 21, 2007, 04:27:22 AM
luke,brandon,hou su,i find you guys so help full! ive got a spot were at nite there is bait and lite!!!but under the lite is baby black gts in the hundreds and under them is massive gts in big .....i mine big!!!!numbers!!!!!!!ive been there the last few nights and just cant work this out.the big guys  are just so fussy!but when you cast out out wide you catch 10_15kg barrakooda.the gts are in a ball as if there lowering the risk of being eaten.ive tryed so many diffrent things but so hard when you can see them!have tryed so many lures after poppers cause ill do anything to get a good gt.but the small black gts nail your lure strait away!
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 21, 2007, 09:43:42 AM
Aaron, are you talking black GTs as in a black coloured GT or a black trevally? Black coloured GTs have always been the exception so to see them schooling would be amazing. how big are these?

In the scenario you're in, a big live bait may be the only way to get something down past the little fish. Also, depending on the depth, a jig might get through as well. You could try a really big loud popper as the big popper might put the smaller fish off. Hon Su has done a lot of popping at night. Perhaps he might have some suggestions.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Hon-Su Chin on July 21, 2007, 11:12:52 PM
Unfortunately in my scenario, you dont know what will hit the popper. I mainly pop from the beach or onshore reef.

Maybe berley up at one spot to keep the smaller fish occupied then move away from the berley and pop or jig for the bigger ones??
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on July 22, 2007, 01:48:58 PM
the small black ones are around 30cm but lots of them! there allways on top wich are allways hungry and are so fun on light gear!the big ones are under these guys and have tryed large loud poppers but just not interesred.the depth is only around 8m  so a bit shallow to jig.
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: warren yuile on July 22, 2007, 03:42:39 PM
Whats the bottom like azza if its not to snagy you could cast a jig and let it sit on the bottom then wind it through the larger fish back Woz
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Brandon Khoo on July 22, 2007, 04:08:19 PM
Aaron, if the little guys are only about 30cm in lengh, they're not going to be in a position to attack a decent sized lure. A sinking stickbait will get down to them so it may be worth trying. Another thing is perhaps a big soft plastic. GTs actually really like these. If chuggers are not working, perhaps a big pencil popper might get them going.

As you've probably gathered, I'm not too proud to try anything to catch a fish if I can't get it the conventional way.

Unfortunately, sometimes, the damn fish are just not feeding. Anyone who has fished for a long time will have experienced those terrible times when you can see amazing fish but you just can't get them to feed! The one good thing to take from this is that you know the big fish are there and that they will feed sometime! Persevere and I'm sure you will succeed. GTs are simply too voracious a predator to stay quiet for long. In water that depth, I'd encourage you to persevere with chuggers. I am certain you will get one sooner or later.

You can imagine how envious you're making those of us who live in places like Sydney having access to areas like that!!
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on July 22, 2007, 08:22:14 PM
wazza,your on a winner there!tryed that tonight and was smashed!!!silly me was fishing a bit to light and could not stop him from reaching the structure...   
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on July 22, 2007, 08:31:50 PM
brandon, i know what u mean.i only moved here here about 8months ago from just north of sydney.when i got here and started looking around i could not belive it! it  is paradise,so many fish.the only poppers i have are halco haymakers.the locals up here go pretty good on these.the tackle shops here dont have a wide range of poppers.if you would be able to help me out in sum brands and names of sum pencil poppers and stickbaits ect many i can search sum shops on the net.thanks heaps
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on July 22, 2007, 08:37:03 PM
brandon, i know what u mean.i only moved here here about 8months ago from just north of sydney.when i got here and started looking around i could not belive it! it  is paradise,so many fish.the only poppers i have are halco haymakers.the locals up here go pretty good on these.the tackle shops here dont have a wide range of poppers.if you would be able to help me out in sum brands and names of sum pencil poppers and stickbaits ect many i can search sum shops on the net.thanks heaps

Hi Aaron,

You can get some great poppers, pencils and stickbaits from Neil at Jones's Tackle - good pricing for members and he can express post so that you recieve it ASAP.

More information and contact details for Jones's Tackle (http://www.gtpopping.com/tackle.php)

You can also read more about poppers and pencils in this article (http://www.gtpopping.com/poppersandpencils.php).
You can also read more about stickabits in this article (http://www.gtpopping.com/stickbaitarticle.php)
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: aaron on July 22, 2007, 08:55:18 PM
thanks luke,really looking forward to trying diffrent kinds of poppers
Title: Re: Where to throw a popper
Post by: warren yuile on July 23, 2007, 09:06:27 PM
another way azza is to man up and get yourself castable 14# fly rod and 1 of the lines with a 70lb core and a big sparse flashy  profile fly like the ones I use for marlin but a bit lighter you would be abel to fish it deep and slow keep it in front of them until 1 makes a mistake when you come down I will show you what I mean Woz