Other names: GT, Lowly Trevally, Barrier Trevally

Habitat

The Giant Trevally is one of the great saltwater fly fishing attractions. They are usually seen cruising along reef dropoffs in tropical marine waters. They occur throughout the Indo Pacific region and in Australia the GT inhabits warm marine waters from the Shark Bay coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north coast and south to the Queensland/New South Wales border. The GT is a marine pelagic fish generally occurring over the tropical continental shelf. Most Giant Trevally are found in large schools although larger individuals can be solitary, and prefer to feed at night.

Size

Giant Trevally can grow to 1.7m in length and the giants of the Giants can weigh up to 50kg. Most fly fishers are more likely to catch GT’s in the 5 to 15kg class.

Feeding

GT’s are pelagic fish which means they can be found in the upper or shallow depths of marine waters. They usually attack bait fish schools, prawns etc.

Seasons

There are no restricted seasons for Giant Trevally and they are most likely caught in warmer waters between September and March.

Description

The Giant Trevally is a popular saltwater fly fishing target. At maturity Giant Trevally are 5 years of age and up to 1m in length. These fish are bluish-silver on the back, sometimes with a yellowish hue. Their sides are yellowish silver, and they have a small oval-shaped patch of tiny scales on the breast, right in front of the ventral fins.

How to catch them

GT’s can be caught on fly, lure and by trolling around reefs and rocky headlands. The best option for fly fishers is to cast just of reefs and bommies. They will hit the fly very hard and will run just as hard and deep usually heading for a rocky underwater outcrop which could cut the line. Pound for pound they will usually give you a great fight.

Hot Spots

The Northern Territory and the Gulf of Carpentaria in Australia and at Christmas Island in the country of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean.

Equipment

Fly fishing gear for Giant Trevally should include the following;

• 9/11 weight saltwater rod
• Reel should have large Arbor with at least 300metres of 20kg backing (preferably braid)
• Flyline- intermediate and/or fast sinking shooting line both weight forward.
• Class leader 1-2m of 8-10kg
• Shock tippet of .5-1m of 20kg mono

Popular Flies

• Lefty’s Deceivers (white, green, yellow)
• Clouser Minnow –mainly white with orange, chartreuse, red flash
• Poppers
• Crazy Charlie
• Pink Things
• Flash 3D
• Polar fiber minnow

If tying your own flies use saltwater hooks usually 1/0 to 4/0 size, colours should include red/white, green/white, pink/white, and blue/white with generous flashing and some flies should be weighted.