Open water fishing around Exmouth has a variety of willing species-the fishing can get spectacular. The gulf flats are much more challenging, but also can be rewarding. The last day on the flats I had only about half a dozen shots by late morning. A variety of (my) screwups, plus two nice permit that rushed the crab fly and wouldn't stick, then I finally had some luck. My guide, Brett Wolf spotted a big GT (AKA Ulua: Caranx ignobilis) coming into range. I dropped the rod with the permit fly while Brett handed me the GT rod we had prepared for this possibility- line stripped out and ready to go. The GT was closing fast straight toward the boat. In just three feet depth, it was going to be spooked by the boat in a manner of seconds - just enough time for a quick cast. For some strange reason, the fly landed ahead and to the side of the fish, right where Brett wanted me to put it. The GT rushed the fly and after the hookset went nuts and weaved through the coral bommies on its way to open water. Around 20 minute later, it was boatside. A quick photo- back in the water in a few seconds- and off it goes...
Brett's guess on the size was around 40 kilos!!! It is unlikely that I will ever see a GT that big again, much less land one flats fishing.
Other fish for the trip included some nice bonefish, queenfish, golden trevally- dropped a cobia that hit a popper. The flats were thick with turtles, rays and sharks- we even spotted a dugong.
Never did get my permit- oh well...
Ulua on fly! Way to go!
Lots of skill involved in that set up and operation --
Thanks!
Fred
Wow! Awesome.
Nice catch!!
Congrats on that Awesome Fish! :o
WOW! very nice GT!
yeah, it's getting to be summertime down under! very nice!!!!!
Must have been fun on that setup! Nice.
Sweet !!!!!! Congratulations !!!!!!!!!
Very nice Dave, congratulations!
Nice pic!...good enough for photo of the month.
good stuff,magic
cheers
Lunker!
Wow! 40 kg and on a fly! My hat is off to you sir! Well done!
Bob
Fantastic, all of the Jack family are super strong fish. Nice catch.
VERY NICE
The guide should get most of the credit, especially on the flats. The guy at the front of the skiff has mostly one job: try not to screw up the cast. :)
That is one beautiful fish that anyone would be proud to pose with. Goodonya. Dominick
Dave,
Could you please describe the setup used for the GT ?
I'm curious what size/ weight rod , reel and fly line.
Very nice GT on any setup let alone a fly rod!
Congratulations!
Best,
Jonathan
well done Dave, yes summer down under, starts in December, was 37C close to 100 F, in Perth today, the capital of Western Australia November 14, but it has been a very cold spring so far, cheers donnyboat.
Quote from: theswimmer on November 14, 2016, 11:18:50 AM
Dave,
Could you please describe the setup used for the GT ?
I'm curious what size/ weight rod , reel and fly line.
Very nice GT on any setup let alone a fly rod!
Congratulations!
Best,
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan,
What is recommended for targeting big GT on the flats from a boat would be the same as a large tarpon flats setup- a 12 wt rod, large arbor strong drag reel, intermediate WF fast loading line. Floating line would normally be used, but the flats here are very windy, and some of the flats get a bit deep for a floater. For leader: a 60 -100 lb bite tippet (if going IGFA compliant for attempting a record), or straight shot of 60 lb abrasion resistant mono.
What I used:
Rod: TFO Baby Bluewater. This rod is rated 300-400 grain (about 8-9 weight) but has a foregrip, and some s-glass in the blank- designed for fighting fish. Fights better than many 12 weights.
Reel: Abel super 12. This is a large arbor 12 weight (spool diameter around 4.5 inch) reel with a strong cork drag.
Line: clear tip int 400 gr. 30 lb core strength.
Leader: 40 lb fluoro. (GTs and queenies had been fussy that week). I was lucky and got a corner hookset - otherwise a different ending to this story.
Wading the flats for jumbo GTs in other parts of the world is a hot topic now. These guys use specialty floating fly lines with high strength cores and straight shot leaders 60-80 lbs and up. The idea is to stop the fish before it drags your line over the rocks/coral en route to to deeper water. I suspect that they are not using more than 10 lbs of drag. That is all most large fly reels are capable of, plus you are often knee to waist deep in the water over sand. Any more drag and you will be getting the underwater reef tour :D
-J
Thanks for the great break down Dave.
My boat rod for a couple of years now is a Diamondback Aeroflex 13 wt , great rod ,very forgiving of us novices.
Fished a bunch of different stuff but still keep coming back to my Grandpa's Kunan 9 wt for wading.
Lots of different reels, bunch of old school but I love Borger Pro series reels in the 8 - 12 wt sizes.
Great value for salt size reels.
Can't wait for a trip down under!
Thanks again for the report.
Best,
Jonathan
That's a great catch on any tackle, and on a fly rod, it is tremendous!