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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Brandon Khoo on May 21, 2007, 08:38:02 AM

Title: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 21, 2007, 08:38:02 AM
The primary lures used for GTs are the various types of poppers and of course, stickbaits are now very popular.  With the success of stickbaits, I see no reason why big minnows which are heavy enough to cast wouldn't work well. I've seen heaps caught on minnows while trolling.

Has anyone used minnows for casting and what kind of success did you have with these?

I think I will try this on my next trip. Also been thinking of trying a big Halco Trembler as a sinking stickbait.
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Jon Li on May 21, 2007, 11:31:56 AM
Brandon ,

Wouldn't be the same sensation n no surface explosion !  ;)

Jon .
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: MikeOsborn on May 21, 2007, 12:18:15 PM
You are right Jon about the lack of surface action but it does work :) we Ran out of poppers last year and were reduced to casting these big "mega bait" lures from the bow. it worked but no spectacular hookups
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a83/nzwaves/indo2006006.jpg)

Try inverting the old metal bibbed rapala's and casting them as a stickbait with a bellyhook :o
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Andrew Poulos on May 21, 2007, 01:16:34 PM
You would have to be careful when upgrading hooks though. I changed the trebles on some for the weekend, and I was stuck with 2 minnows that swam like crap.
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 21, 2007, 01:19:41 PM
no, that's good!!
Stickbaits all swim like crap compared to minnows - that's why they catch so many fish. I reckon the predators just want to put them out of their misery!
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Andrew Poulos on May 21, 2007, 01:23:39 PM
True !.......the ones I had would dive, pick up speed, track left/right and then end up on the surface upside down..... GTs would probably go for that ...
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 21, 2007, 01:54:56 PM
True !.......the ones I had would dive, pick up speed, track left/right and then end up on the surface upside down..... GTs would probably go for that ...

especially the go upside down bit! Did you know there is a bass lure that has developed a cult following that actually swims upside down?
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Wong Kai Zhee on May 21, 2007, 02:17:10 PM
one concern would be durability.

cus my experience w yozuri hydro tiger was that they cracked under impact of a big fish (not even GT, just toman aka snakehead).

so, i reckon those plastic minows with precision swimming action will probably not last very long.
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Greg Burt on May 21, 2007, 02:34:02 PM
 The HALCO Laser Pros have a removable bib [supposedly] by taking out a small pin, got the pin stuck half way out so ground the bib down instead ::), tested in my testing tank [pool] and works really well as standard but much better by having just the bellyhook although I think I'll still use a single rear hook :-\.

PS: Haven't caught the Barracuda yet!
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Jon Li on May 21, 2007, 02:45:19 PM
Mike ,

I works , no doubt about it and have done it many times , what I am saying is that the strike is not spectacular and hence less excitements when you just feel the strike instead of viewing and feel the strike at around about the same time .

Halco Trembler dives too deep for any chance of spray , at least stickbait still produce them and be carefull using any deep diver , might catch the reefs instead of fish .

Jon .
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 21, 2007, 04:59:39 PM
I pretty much thought deep divers were out but I've been thinking that I know a few spots against cliff faces where a trembler might just do the trick - and I was thinking not just of GTs but possibly of doggies.

I find that the surface strke aspect is lessened with stickbaits as I like to get mine to sink a bit.

Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on May 21, 2007, 09:48:27 PM
This post is utter sacrilege Brandon!

LOL. I can see the potential but i have no interest in it - yes, stickbaits don't have as good an in-built action as some diving minnows but the diving minnows are fairly restrictive in the sense that you can't really dart and poke them very well due to the bib.

As for the Trembler - sure i reckon that may do well on relatively shallow doggies and GTs but i'll probably be reaching for the tried and tested stickbaits and jigs first ;)
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 21, 2007, 10:10:04 PM
 ;D

you mean I am not going to convince you to change the name of the site to gtminnowing.com? I admit it hasn't quite got the same ring to it   :D
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Wong Kai Zhee on May 22, 2007, 12:37:10 AM
will a big kastmaster or casting jig work?
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Jon Li on May 22, 2007, 01:38:38 AM
will a big kastmaster or casting jig work?


Yes they do but if you want a big GT , get a big lures .

Jon .
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 22, 2007, 07:34:03 AM
I reckon pretty much anything works on GTs when they are feeding. That said, I think what I am suggesting might be getting away from "popping" in the pure sense of the word!


will a big kastmaster or casting jig work?
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Che Carson on May 24, 2007, 09:19:24 PM
I haven't been on the site for a few days and when I log on I am confronted by this.

I second Lukes notion, this is "utter sacrilege" :D.

Brandon of all people you should know better. As moderator I think you should severely reprimand yourself. I don't care how big a GT is, the catch does not count unless it is caught on a surface lure cast and retrieve.

This is not the way of the Jedi, change you must. Evil it is  ;D.
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 24, 2007, 09:45:53 PM
I'll do anything to catch a big GT!!

If you really want to be horrified, come to Shoalwater next year and see what I am going to do. I managed to convince one of the guides when I was there that next year, we're going to cheat. Instead of charging out there, we're going to go catch ourselves a few fusiliers or other small critter and then we're going to troll them along the cliff faces on a really heavy jigging rod like a Jigging Master Monster on 130lb braid. I'll be sitting in the cage at the back of the dory ready to lock up and see if we can drag it out into deep water.

If I am successful, what we can do is take the hook out of its mouth and put a popper in there instead.....   ;D

I think I am going to get sin-binned...........



Actually, I was amazed when I was in Vanuatu recently and the captain of the boat we were on told us that it was quite a common practice for fishing journalists to catch fish on live bait and put the jig in its mouth for photos.
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Cam Foley on May 24, 2007, 09:55:29 PM
Thats really lame what some journalists will do.
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on May 24, 2007, 10:50:33 PM
I think I am going to get sin-binned...........

 >:( >:( >:( >:(  ;)
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 24, 2007, 10:53:48 PM
mate, you've got to give me a break. I'm desperate - there is simply no way I'm going to land a really huge one in the areas I fish unless I get a little more innovative!!
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Che Carson on May 24, 2007, 11:10:08 PM
But if you do are you really going to be able to claim it as a legitimate capture ???.

Luke I think maybe we should cut him some slack, maybe we could direct him to a more appropriate site. Maybe one that deals with feather chucking  ;D.
Title: Re: Using minnows for GTs
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 25, 2007, 08:25:23 AM
I'll do what the fishing journalists do - put a popper in its mouth and pose for photos with my popping rod?   ;D


But if you do are you really going to be able to claim it as a legitimate capture ???.

Luke I think maybe we should cut him some slack, maybe we could direct him to a more appropriate site. Maybe one that deals with feather chucking  ;D.