Chloe Zhang
Trevally are known for their dogged fighting abilities and can be caught using soft plastics. The ZMan Micro Finesse BaitZ range of plastics has proven effective in catching trevally. Berkley's 3-inch powerbait's, gulp shrimp, and turtleback worm offerings have also been successful. The Gladiator gold fleck prawn soft plastic is another extremely successful lure. When fishing for trevally, look for fast-flowing water, strong current flow, and bait schools, which are all triggers for feeding. The full and new moon phases are excellent times to target these fish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lures | Berkley’s 3-inch powerbait’s, gulp shrimp, turtleback worm, Gladiator gold fleck prawn soft plastic, GULP Crazylegs Jerkshad, ZMan Micro Finesse BaitZ |
| Colors | Pink Shine, Lime Tiger, Gold |
| Techniques | Using bridges as a manmade structure, fishing during full and new moon phases |
| Locations | Brooms Head in Yuraygir National Park, Northern New South Wales, Noosa |
| Species | Golden trevally, diamond trevally, long nose trevally, bluefin trevally |
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What You'll Learn
The best locations to catch trevally
When it comes to the best locations to catch trevally, there are several key factors to consider. Trevally can be caught in a variety of habitats and locations, but some spots are more productive than others. Here are some detailed instructions on where to find them:
First, look for areas with a mix of estuaries, rocky headlands, and beaches. Coastal areas like Brooms Head in Yuraygir National Park, Australia, offer diverse fishing grounds. You can target trevally along with other species such as tailor, kingfish, and mulloway. Try casting from the rocks, especially around structures like rock walls and ledges.
Secondly, target estuaries and the entrances of bays and oceans. Trevally, particularly the smaller silver trevally, frequent these areas. Look for clear waters and structures like boat wharves, bridge pylons, and rock walls. They can also be found in sandy flats, shallow reefs, and along the edges of drop-offs.
Additionally, oyster leases can be productive spots for trevally fishing. The shallow and weedy waters around oyster farms can be advantageous during the incoming tide. Target areas where the weed opens up to a sandy or broken bottom. Remember to respect the property of oyster farmers and exercise caution when navigating these areas.
Georges Bay in Tasmania is another prime location for targeting silver trevally. The channel in Georges Bay holds good numbers of large silver trevally. They tend to hold in the current flow on the channel edges and around pylon markers. Look for the drop-off where shallow water meets deeper water, creating a "highway" for fish.
Lastly, consider fishing at dawn or dusk, as trevally are often most active during these times, especially in spring. By focusing your efforts on these key locations and timing your fishing trips right, you'll significantly increase your chances of catching trevally on soft plastics.
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The most effective lures and bait
Trevally is a common catch on baits and lures. They are aggressive hunters and are known to ambush bait schools and prawns in areas with fast-flowing water, strong current flow, and large tides. They are also known to feed on small fish, crabs, and shrimps.
- Soft plastics: Berkley PowerBait Ripple shad, PowerBait minnows, Bento Bait minnows, worm and grub imitations, curl tails, and paddle tails.
- Hardbodied lures, metals, vibes, divers, surface lures, and flies.
- Small lures or flies that accurately represent their common prey items, such as small fish, crabs, and shrimps.
- Prawn imitations, small bait of squid, shellfish, or pilchard cubes.
- ZMan Micro Finesse BaitZ plastics range.
Additionally, the "hopping" and "slow roll" techniques are recommended when using lures or plastics to catch trevally. The "hopping" technique involves imitating a wounded baitfish by casting your plastic or lure, letting it hit the bottom, then doing quick erratic lifts before letting it sink back down. The "slow roll" technique is similar, but involves a slow continuous retrieve of the reel, and works great with curl tails and paddle tail plastics.
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The ideal fishing equipment
When it comes to catching trevally with soft plastics, having the right fishing equipment is key. Here is the ideal setup to maximise your chances of success:
Rod: Choose a light and sensitive rod made of graphite, with a length between 7 feet and 7 feet 6 inches. Look for a rod with a rating of 1-3kg or 2-4kg. Some specific models that are suitable include the Abu Garcia Rayrex 702L and the Crucis Elite 7023UL. These rods are affordable and effective for catching trevally.
Reel: A 2000-2500 sized spin reel is a good choice for this type of fishing. Popular models include the Abu Garcia Roxani 2000 and the Abu Max X 20 for a more entry-level option.
Line: The line choice is critical. Opt for a quality braided line with a PE 0.8 or 6-10lb breaking strain. Atomic Linez PE 0.8 is an excellent choice. For leader material, use fluorocarbon with an 8lb or 10lb breaking strain. Connect your leader to the braid with a double uni knot or an FG knot for added strength.
Lures: Top soft plastic lures for trevally include the Atomic 2” grub, Munroes 2.75” paddle tail, Berkley Powerbait Nemesis 3”, and Gulp 4” sandworms and turtleback worms. Silver trevally, in particular, seem to favour motor oil and pumpkin seed colours.
Jigs: When using metal jigs, opt for smaller sizes of around 10g. Cast your lure in front of a school of trevally and retrieve it at a medium-fast pace. This technique helps to avoid spooking the fish and increases your chances of a solid hookup.
With the right combination of rod, reel, line, lures, and technique, you'll be well-equipped to catch trevally using soft plastics.
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How to fish soft plastics correctly
Soft plastic lures are a great way to catch trevally, especially in estuaries and around manmade structures such as bridges. Here are some tips on how to fish soft plastics correctly to improve your chances of success:
Choose the Right Lures: Select lures that mimic the baitfish or prey that trevally typically feed on. Small lures that resemble baitfish, wrigglers, prawns, shrimp, or turtles can be effective. The ZMan Micro Finesse BaitZ range, Berkley's 3-inch Powerbait's, and Gladiator gold fleck prawn soft plastics are all proven options.
Gear and Techniques: Use the right gear and techniques for the specific type of trevally you're targeting. For example, long nose and bluefin trevally are best targeted with presentations deeper in the water column or on the bottom. Bridges can also be productive structures to target trevally, as they provide cover and attract smaller baitfish.
Understand Trevally Behaviour: Trevally tend to hunt in fast-flowing water with strong current flows and bait schools. They are aggressive feeders and will ambush bait schools and prawns in these conditions. Time your fishing trips around the full moon and new moon phases when the tides are stronger and larger, as these are excellent times to target trevally.
Use Appropriate Equipment: Ensure you have the right equipment for soft plastic fishing. This includes a suitable rod and reel, line, jigheads, and other terminal tackle. A heavy rod with a 40lb leader and a 3/8th ounce size 2/0 jighead can be a good combination for trevally.
Vary Your Retrieval: Experiment with different retrieval speeds and techniques. Sometimes a slower, steady retrieval works best, while in other situations, a more erratic or faster retrieval may be more effective. Try different techniques and observe how the trevally respond.
Try Different Colours: Soft plastics come in a variety of colours, and sometimes trevally can be selective. Try natural colours that mimic baitfish, such as silver, green, or transparent shades. In clearer waters, more vibrant colours like pink or gold can also attract attention and trigger aggressive strikes.
Remember to be patient and persistent when fishing for trevally with soft plastics. It may take some time and experimentation to find the right combination of lure, retrieval, and location that works best for you.
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The best times to catch trevally
Trevally are known for their fighting abilities and stunning appearance, with some species growing to a large size. They can be caught all year round, but are most active in spring and are typically targeted at dawn or dusk. The full and new moon phases are also excellent times to fish for trevally, as the stronger and larger tides during these periods create ideal feeding conditions for these aggressive fish.
The best locations for catching trevally vary depending on the species. Silver trevally, for example, are frequently found in estuaries and the entrances of bays and oceans. They favour clear water and structures like boat wharves, bridge pylons, and rock walls. They can also be found in sandy flats, shallow reefs, and along the edges of drop-offs. Other species, such as long nose and bluefin trevally, are less common in estuaries and may require targeting in river systems.
When fishing for trevally with soft plastics, it is important to consider the type of lure and presentation. Soft plastics that mimic worms, grubs, curl tails, paddle tails, and minnows are effective for trevally. Silvers, a species of trevally, respond well to burley, which can be a simple bread or chook pellet mix. They are also aggressive takers of small metals, jigs, vibes, stick baits, soft plastics, and flies. Giant trevally, on the other hand, are known for their heavy weight and can be targeted with a range of larger soft plastics.
Additionally, the technique used to present the lure is important. The "slow roll" technique involves casting your plastic or lure, waiting for it to hit the bottom, and then doing a slow continuous retrieve. This works well with curl tails and paddle tail plastics. Keeping the lure a foot or two above the bottom can be an effective way to catch trevally. The "hopping technique" is another simple method where you cast your lure and then do several quick erratic lifts before winding in the slack and letting the plastic sink back down.
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Frequently asked questions
Berkley’s 3-inch powerbait’s, gulp shrimp, turtleback worm, and Gladiator gold fleck prawn soft plastic lures are all good options for catching trevally.
Brooms Head in Yuraygir National Park is a good location to catch trevally. The area has plenty of estuaries, rocky headlands, and beaches.
The stronger and larger tides around the full and new moon phases are excellent times to target trevally.
A heavy rod with a 40lb leader and a 3/8 ounce size 2/0 jighead is a good setup for catching trevally.
