Big GT – where, when & how!

Big Giant Trevally are one awesome fish to catch. They have some of the best qualities a sportfish could have - awesome looks, extremely strong, can grow to huge sizes and surface feeding makes up a big part of their hunting!

The fact that GT are a surface feeder is why surface or topwater fishing for them can be so effective. They just love chasing baits from the surface, whether it be garfish, herring, mullet, or bigger fish such as wolf herring, reef species and even small tuna.

The distribution of GT are over tropical waters and the places they usually spend time around are manmade and natural structures near deep water. Large jetty pylons, floating jetties, reef bombies, rocky headlands & rocky points are all places where GT often frequent.

One successful technique for catching big GT that is growing in popularity is called ‘GT popping’. It involves casting big stickbaits & poppers and retrieving them over the surface, creating a realistic-looking baitfish action which GT rise up and attack.

GT popping requires heavy & quality gear –lines, lures, knots, rods & reels all need to be in great condition. An outfit we’d recommend would be a 10000 or 20000 size Shimano Stella reel spooled with 80lb Fins XS braid and 150lb Jinkai leader with a double as the joining knot. The rod would be rated around 15kg to 25kg with large guides so the joining knot can glide through while casting. Tied to the end of the leader would be a Nomad Ulua 150 stickbait or Cubera popper with a standard loop knot. Large 10/0 single hooks from Owner would be debarbed and attached to the 250Lb Owner split rings.

The best times for GT are usually during low light – early and late in the day with little or no sun on the water. Strong currents are usually very good and make the GT more active as more food is pushed around in the fast flowing water.

Rough turbulent conditions can also be productive for GT as the foamy water against rock edges provides an ideal place for baitfish to feed and GT to hunt out of sight.

These are the best times & conditions although big GT can be readily caught during all times of the day and in any weather conditions so get out and go popping!

Written by,
Cy and Kerrin Taylor.

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