Giant Trevally Fly Line?

C

Chinook Angler

Steelhead
Wondering if anyone here has any suggestions for a GT fly line. Also, I am looking to gather as much information as I can about Kiritimati GT fishing. I assume a floating line is required, correct? Please share any experiences and suggestions you have. Thanks!
 
Chinook Angler said:
Wondering if anyone here has any suggestions for a GT fly line. Also, I am looking to gather as much information as I can about Kiritimati GT fishing. I assume a floating line is required, correct? Please share any experiences and suggestions you have. Thanks!
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Yes, a floating fly line. Airflo "GT Gangsta" fly line is my favorite. It casts well and the loops are strong.

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Most of the GT you will encounter at Christmas Island will be 2 - 12 pound juveniles. These are great fun to catch using your 8 or 9 weight bonefish rod. Small GT readily eat fast stripped bonefish flies or a small Clouser.

A 10, 11, or 12 weight will cover your needs for the handful of adult 30 - 70 pound GT you may or may not encounter. In Jan 2024 I saw very few during my 2 week trip. Hopefully their population in the lagoon bounces back quickly, every year is different. 2/0, 3/0 brush flies in tan, red, purple/black . I like to use a smaller brush fly that imitates the prolific black tailed snapper. A larger brush fly should be used at the outer reef areas like Paris or Korean Wreck. Most encounters you need good eyes to spot them and a quick double haul cast to put a fly in front of them before they zoom off. Other times a gang of big aggressive fish come in close and clobber even the most poorly cast fly.
 
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DimeBrite said:
Yes, a floating fly line. Airflo "GT Gangsta" fly line is my favorite. It casts well and the loops are strong.

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Most of the GT you will encounter at Christmas Island will be 2 - 12 pound juveniles. These are great fun to catch using your 8 or 9 weight bonefish rod. Small GT readily eat fast stripped bonefish flies or a small Clouser.

A 10, 11, or 12 weight will cover your needs for the handful of adult 30 - 70 pound GT you may or may not encounter. In Jan 2024 I saw very few during my 2 week trip. Hopefully their population in the lagoon bounces back quickly, every year is different. 2/0, 3/0 brush flies in tan, red, purple/black . I like to use a smaller brush fly that imitates the prolific black tailed snapper. A larger brush fly should be used at the outer reef areas like Paris or Korean Wreck. Most encounters you need good eyes to spot them and a quick double haul cast to put a fly in front of them before they zoom off. Other times a gang of big aggressive fish come in close and clobber even the most poorly cast fly.
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I think this pretty much covers it.

On our trip this past November ( my 15th? visit to the island) we had a similar experience. Some years several big GTs have been landed. This year no one landed one over 10lbs. But everyone saw a few of the big GTs, and most of us had some shots, but the stars didn’t align….
 
Just a thought... I do have a few tarpon lines, which are designed for throwing baitfish patterns. What is so different about the GT specific lines over those tarpon lines? If it works for a 100 pound tarpon, would it not work for a 20-30 pound GT?
 
Chinook Angler said:
Just a thought... I do have a few tarpon lines, which are designed for throwing baitfish patterns. What is so different about the GT specific lines over those tarpon lines? If it works for a 100 pound tarpon, would it not work for a 20-30 pound GT?
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Tarpon fly lines have a weaker core than GT lines. You will be wade fishing straight 80-100 pound leader around coral heads, not with 16 pound class tippet from a flats boat. Also the taper of most tarpon lines would be tough to cast a bulky brush fly into the ever present wind.
 
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DimeBrite said:
Yes, a floating fly line. Airflo "GT Gangsta" fly line is my favorite. It casts well and the loops are strong.

View attachment 135147

Most of the GT you will encounter at Christmas Island will be 2 - 12 pound juveniles. These are great fun to catch using your 8 or 9 weight bonefish rod. Small GT readily eat fast stripped bonefish flies or a small Clouser.

A 10, 11, or 12 weight will cover your needs for the handful of adult 30 - 70 pound GT you may or may not encounter. In Jan 2024 I saw very few during my 2 week trip. Hopefully their population in the lagoon bounces back quickly, every year is different. 2/0, 3/0 brush flies in tan, red, purple/black . I like to use a smaller brush fly that imitates the prolific black tailed snapper. A larger brush fly should be used at the outer reef areas like Paris or Korean Wreck. Most encounters you need good eyes to spot them and a quick double haul cast to put a fly in front of them before they zoom off. Other times a gang of big aggressive fish come in close and clobber even the most poorly cast fly.
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Would you suggest going one line heavier?
Thx
 
Kado said:
Would you suggest going one line heavier?
Thx
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I haven't needed to up line my trevally rods (Loomis NRX). Practise casting your GT rod with your fly line of choice on a playing field to make sure you like how they match up. Cast a hook less bulky GT fly and 6ft straight 80lb leader to get used to turning it over into a breeze.
 
chief said:
A friend just sent me this book. I have only thumbed through it, but it appears to be a pretty thorough write up on the subject.

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Good book.....I have it. Lots of good points to reference. The book really is geared for the Seychelles and the Atolls that are mostly visited and fished. The author hosts a trip once a year to Providence Atoll. That being said, you could certainly utilize the information as a foundation for say Xmas Island.
 
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