Coral Trout

How to find Coral Trout?

The places fish are found are called “structures”for example, a rock ledge, reefs, coral reef, a submerged cave, drop off ledge, pinnacle rocks and old ship wrecks etc. are perfect places to find fish homes. Fish seek these places out to school, for protection and also for ambush. All reef species such as Snapper, Coral Trout, Sweet Lip, Jewfish etc. all search for baitfish, squid etc. If the baitfish school is deep, often a sounder is needed to identify the schooling baitfish.
(Note: Fish are active at dawn and dusk ½ to full moon phases)

How to fish with soft Plastics for reef Species?

The baitfish might be down deep working the structure. You can use a “Livin’ Squid” or “Finger Bait”, “Big Eye Buff” or “Power Prawn” to replicate a live bait (Live baits are always better than dead baits!). The emphasis is to make it behaviour like a live bait, try and replicate a squid action, Baitfish, prawn or Pilchard in the wild. Often the current will work the soft plastic for you. Hence the up and down motion of the boat is often all that is required.However a twitching or jigging action may be required.

How to Jig a lure?

If the baitfish school is deep, often a sounder is needed to identify the schooling baitfish. A “Jig King” is also useful for jigging structures with a high-speed retrieve. Let the Jig King sink to the bottom and retrieve with a jerking motion around the strike zone and let drop and repeat the action. The darting and flashing at speed are important to success.

What Burley?

A word of advice - always uses burley, choose 100% tuna oil . “Big Johns Oil” is our preferred oil, because it is 100%. Liquid Tuna is fantastic as it is liquid tuna 100% of cause it is a top quality product and you can expect to pay more.

It is a good idea use Big Johns Tuna logs or Big John's secret Berley mix. The use of berley will increase your catch potential.