Giant Trevally
Reef / InshoreThe GT — apex inshore predator of the tropical reef, and the headline target for popper and stickbait anglers from Ningaloo through the Pilbara and Kimberley. Hunts in shallow reef country, smashing surface lures with the kind of violence that breaks rods. Most are released.
Giant trevally are the fish that built the modern stickbait scene in WA. They patrol shallow tropical reef country — Tantabiddi, Lighthouse Bay, the Muirons, the Mackerels, the Pilbara islands, the Kimberley archipelagos — and hunt baitfish across the bommies in water sometimes shallow enough to see their backs out. The strike on a popper is among the most violent in fishing. They fight dirty, run for coral, and test every component of the gear. The vast majority of WA-caught GTs are tagged and released; eating quality is poor in big fish and ciguatera is a real risk.
Live mullet, live tuna, large fresh fillets — though GT fishing is overwhelmingly a lure pursuit
Halco Roosta 195 poppers, Shimano Orca stickbaits, Hammerhead and Carpenter sinking stickbaits, large surface walkers in 150–200g
Heavy spin gear — 80lb braid minimum, 130lb fluorocarbon leader, single inline assist hook or a strong inline treble. Solid rings and split rings rated to 200lb+. Crush the rod butt against the gimbal — you'll need every bit of leverage.
Cast poppers across shallow reef and work them with hard bloops and pauses; cast stickbaits parallel to the reef edge with a sweeping rod-tip retrieve. Watch for boils, surface chases, or birds working baitfish. When a GT commits, set hard and keep the rod low to turn the fish away from coral. The first ten seconds decide the fight. Land-based at Tantabiddi or Steep Point, lock the drag and don't give an inch.
Year-round in tropical WA; cooler months (April–October) offer better weather and clearer water at Ningaloo. Tide changes — particularly the start of the run-in — push bait onto the reef and fire the GTs up. Early morning and last light are best.
Up to 60kg+, commonly 8–25kg
Year-round (Gascoyne/North Coast)
Poor — coarse, dry flesh in big fish, and notable ciguatera risk in GTs from tropical reefs. Most WA anglers release everything they catch. Smaller trevally species (golden, bluefin) eat far better.
Bag limit: counts within the trevally and queenfish group (combined statewide limit of 20). No specific minimum size for GT, but most anglers practise catch and release. Always check current DPIRD rules — regulations may change.
Tantabiddi and Lighthouse Bay are the iconic land-based GT spots in WA, with charters running dedicated popping trips out of Exmouth. Bring spare lures — you'll lose a few. Common rookie mistakes are gear too light, drag set too soft, and trying to fight the fish vertical instead of sideways.