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Australia's best flyfishing
Giant Trevally caranx ignobilis
aka: GT, Giant Trevally, Trevor

 Photo: © Jono Shales

The gangster of the bommie, the pit bull of the reef - GTs are not for the feint-hearted or limp wristed. Extremely savage striker and a powerful dirty fighter.

If you're targetting GTs around reefs, there's a good chance that's where they'll head once hooked, which means things get messy and expensive.

If targetting them in shallow water or on the flats, then you have a really good chance of landing a trophy fish on the fly.


Once hooked, a large fish will make an unstoppable run towards deeper water or any kind of structure. Be prepared for a prolonged dogged battle with the fish using it's large flanked body to pull sideways against you.

Distribution: Throughout warmer tropical waters of the northern half of Australia.

Average Size: 1kg - 25k but can reach 50kg +
Good luck if you hook one that big on the fly.


Tackle and methods for Giant Trevally

What tackle to use
10 - 14wt outfits, reels with good strong drags, lots of backing. Gloves are a good idea for both the fight and landing the fish

What flies to use
Poppers; Crease fly; Gurglers; Deceiver; Thing; Clouser.

Fishing strategy
Big noisy surface flies are the go for savage visual hits - but also any big fly fished anywhere near them will work when they're hungry. Think 4/0 and upwards with the general rule being the more noise you make, the bigger the fish that will hit your fly.

Once hooked a large GT will rush for cover of any nearby structure - big ones almost always make it home so crank down the drag and hold on. They have a hard mouth so big sharp hooks should be set hard. Small and medium sized fish often travel in pods but larger fish are travel alone or in pairs. The tail scutes are very sharp - wear a glove or just don't grab it by the tail.

Sight casting to large fish in shallow water is an awesome way of targeting these fish.

Otherwise get a mate to throw hookless poppers around likely holding spots or reef and throw flies at the fish that chase the popper in.

Target Giant Trevally in the following locations:

Target Giant Trevally with the following guides:

Australian Flyfishing Outfitters

Barra Lodge Arnhemland

Carpentaria Seafaris

Exmouth Fly Fishing

Fish Philliskirk

Gavin Platz

Mark Bargenquast

Melville Island Lodge

Nomad Sportfishing

One Tree Beach

Paul Dolan

Wilderness Island
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