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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Reports & Expeditions => Topic started by: Derek Mock on October 18, 2011, 08:48:19 PM

Title: Port Douglas GT's
Post by: Derek Mock on October 18, 2011, 08:48:19 PM

Hi

This a report from a day trip that I had while on a family holiday in Port Douglas.  I recommend this as an affordable way to get into GT fishing or those that can't dedicate a week for a live-aboad.

We went to the outer reef popping with fa fun. I had originally booked another operator but he had engine troubles so was a little concerned with the change. Turns out Adam from fa fun was more experienced and a great guide.

We did a morning session casting at fusiliers and I caught two decent gts at 18 and 20kgs.The first one almost pulled me off the casting deck, the second one I backed off the drag and fought it from the middle of the boat. Both were taken on Adhek Goby which also attracted red bass and follows from mackerel and others. A good lure for newbies.

As the tide bottomed and the run slowed,  the bait went deep so we changed strategy to casting small poppers and plastics for coral trout and emperor and other reef dwellers. I was amazed by the the reef, the colours, the rays, turtles. The guide uses a jet boat meaning we could still float in less than two foot of water.

Finished the day with a lagoon session casting at currents and messy water on batt reef. The third pic is of the guide who caught the biggest gt of the day.

Between to three fishing we caught six gts, five red bass, a large flowery cod, a dinner sized coral trout (unfortunately someone's else's dinner), and around a dozen plate sized reef fish. Many follows in the gin clear water made for a fantastic day.

It was a great day trip. Thanks for getting me started Tak and Sam, the gear performed well.
I fished a Carpenter 80M, Dogfight with 80lb
I ran a single assist hook at the back and baker rig of singles in the middle. Thanks to all who contribute to this great site - the research was half the fun.

Derek
(http://s4.postimage.org/mvlccp5w/P1010978.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/mvlccp5w/)

(http://s4.postimage.org/mvmzw1no/P1020006.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/mvmzw1no/)

(http://s4.postimage.org/mvonfe5g/P1020025.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/mvonfe5g/)

Title: Re: Port Douglas GT's
Post by: Matt Kris on October 23, 2011, 01:28:48 PM

sweet report!

cheers mate

Title: Re: Port Douglas GT's
Post by: Shaun Ossitt on October 24, 2011, 08:22:36 PM

Derek,

well done mate, sound like a pretty growse day

If possible can you PM me the details of the charters you had booked, I think the trouble and strife was talking about port douglas as a holiday destination next year... If so I'll definately be trying to beat my measly Personal best 8kg Darwin harbour GT...

Cheers

Shauno

Title: Re: Port Douglas GT's
Post by: Derek Mock on October 25, 2011, 04:58:07 PM

Thanks Matt, always special that first decent gt.

Shaun, the operator is fa fun. Website: http://www.fafunboatcharters.com/. (http://www.fafunboatcharters.com/.)
Adam will hopefully put you on to some fish above 8kg. I think the smallest gt we caught was around 15kg... But they still pull some string.

Good luck
Derek

Title: Re: Port Douglas GT's
Post by: Shaun Ossitt on November 17, 2011, 06:41:20 PM

yeah sweet, that looks like an affordable way to get into it, and on top of that I could probably get two days in up there whilst on holidays...

Thanks for sharing...

Title: Re: Port Douglas GT's
Post by: Nathan Cefai on November 19, 2011, 08:32:56 AM

well done mate,bout time you got into some..

Title: Re: Port Douglas GT's
Post by: Kenny Koh Kee Koong on November 23, 2011, 11:34:38 PM

Well done bro

Title: Re: Port Douglas GT's
Post by: Derek Mock on November 24, 2011, 12:13:40 PM

Thanks chaps.

Back to tackle Sydney kings on the new found surface techniques.

Derek

Title: Re: Port Douglas GT's
Post by: Doug Lindsay on November 24, 2011, 07:15:29 PM

Nice report, thanks for sharing!
I'm up there for work in December. I am going to try and get out there too :)