Fighting Giant Trevally in Fiji

An untapped fishery for giant trevally exists at Vanua Levu, a large remote island in the Fiji archipelago. Andrew Lewthwaite

I could feel it in my arms already. Working giant poppers with heavy spinning gear is a workout. But I kept at it, casting and reeling, chugging and popping until the surface erupted, spewing water skyward. My rod bowed as if it were hooked to a speeding garbage truck. The game was on, and it was as much on me as the fish. A few minutes later, I landed my first giant trevally. Fatigue evaporated with adrenaline, and I couldn’t wait to get back to the hunt.

For years I’d dreamed of chasing giant trevally. Other than investigating trips to the Seychelles, I had not made much progress. These trips looked amazing, but they were a hard sell for my nonfishing wife. Honestly, I thought this bucket-­list fish was likely never to be checked off. Then my bride showed interest in Fiji. We were heading to Savusavu, on the large remote island of Vanua Levu. Getting there takes an extra hour on a puddle-­jumper flight out of the international airport on the main island at Nadi. Savusavu is beautiful and relaxes you within minutes of arriving, but it is ­mostly known for lavish resorts and great diving.

No Pressure

As I explored fishing options, I struggled to find guides. This turned out be a great thing because there is very little fishing pressure. In three days of fishing with the guide I did find, we did not see another fishing boat. I was happy to connect with Michael Simon, owner of Immersions Fiji. Don’t let his lack of competition fool you; Simon is an experienced angler and guide who works very hard to put you on fish, and there are plenty of big mean fish in Fiji. As a bonus, chasing big GTs on topwater plugs is Simon’s biggest passion, so I was in luck. 

It seems the farther south you go, the tougher fish get. This holds true down in the South Pacific. Going fin-to-toe with these fish requires the right gear. We threw 7-inch Chug Norris poppers on heavy spinning outfits—Shimano Terez rods and Twinpower 8000 reels or 6500 Penn Slammers. They were rigged with 100-pound-test braid, 150-pound leader and 350-pound-test split rings and swivels (see sidebar). With 20 pounds of drag, I’m not sure who gets the worst of it, you or the fish, but that’s what it takes to stop these brutes. Anything less would end up with ­countless break-offs on the jagged reefs these fish call home. 

Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the archipelago was formed by ancient volcanic activity. Fiji’s origins are evident in the lush mountains that are the backdrop while fishing just a mile or so offshore in 50- to 100-foot depths. Giant trevallies are the apex predators around the reef. They are strong, mean and almost always in search of their next meal. We worked the up-current side of the bommies, which are isolated coral outcrops separated from the larger reef. Rising from the depths to within a few feet of the surface, these coral castles that support so much life are easy to spot in crystal-clear water.

Separation from the main reef creates strong currents that hold baitfish just up-current of the bommies. Any bait that gets swept away is an easy target for fast, hungry GTs. Working strategically around the bommies, we used poppers to emulate wounded, vulnerable stragglers.  

Setting the hook is ­another unique undertaking. When a GT grabs its prey, it usually goes for the middle of the body and holds tight until the prey is subdued. The grip is strong, and if it happens to be on the center of your lure, the hooks could be dangling on each side of its mouth, free from contact. So, when a big GT hits, you set the hook by trying to pull your lure through its mouth so the hooks can reach home. Hit the fish hard with a series of powerful hook-sets.

It’s fast-paced fishing. They are either there and ready to eat or you move on after a few casts. When you do find a willing sparring partner, the bite is insane. From a distance, you can see these fish obliterate a plug, spraying massive amounts of water as they engulf it. It’s like watching a bowling ball drop into the water from the third floor. These giants come out of nowhere fast and hot. Topwater fishing for these guys exceeds the hype.

Stout spinning gear and poppers are the tools for spectacular topwater action around coral castles in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Michael Simon A Break With More Action

We trolled when moving between sets of bommies. It was a welcome breather, although the break often did not last long because coveted Pacific Spanish mackerel—known to locals as walu—were often nearby. Similar in appearance to our kingfish, walu is one of Fiji’s most prize table fish. It is much whiter, flakier meat than our kings and a staple in the ­national dish, Kokoda (pronounced ko-con-da), a ceviche with fresh coconut cream. 

Walu are harder to catch on topwater plugs because they often blow a plug completely out of the water with ferocious attacks, but it can be done. We saw these acrobats skyrocket plugs and bait, blasting some 20 feet in the air, like a skying kingfish. It is amazing to see them in action. They also hit diving plugs, which is what we trolled between casting spots. Long, strong runs, crazy aerial attacks and excellent table fare make this another great fish to challenge in the warm Fijian waters.

Most resorts are happy to prepare your catch for you and ­other guests, so everyone can enjoy it. Bringing back a ­walu makes you the hero of the kitchen and dining room. There is nothing like a fresh Kokoda appetizer, and a good-size ­walu will make a big batch of this mouthwatering dish and leave plenty for a main course. 

While GTs are a primary target, Fiji is also home to other exciting species—some exotic, some more familiar, and some that are delicious. Jim Klug Other Adversaries 

There are options to lighten your tackle for more crazy topwater action. By downsizing gear to medium or medium-heavy spinning rigs and using a smaller popper or switching to a stickbait like the Nomad 6-inch Riptide, you can work larger portions of the reef and find a whole slew of smaller yet aggressive and strong fish. The reefs are full of holes that house ­many hard-hitting predators. 

Fiji is home to other ­trevally species, including the stunning blue trevally. They seem to hold on bigger portions of reef and are certainly worthy of chasing. Their electric blue spots are amazing, and they bring all the excitement of their larger GT cousins on a smaller scale. Pound for pound, they are equally as strong and aggressive.

Another ambush predator that hides among the holes in the reef is red bass. They look and act a lot like mutton snapper. But as tasty as they look, beware eating them. Their flesh can cause ciguatera poisoning. These fish also blow up surface plugs and then head straight back to their fortress when hooked. It is a fun tug-of-war, and you must turn them ­quickly. Other exciting species include emperor fish, coral trout and queenfish.

The action for me was steady despite the fact that our trip was between seasons. Summers are known for great yellowfin and GT bites. Winters bring marlin and wahoo. Luckily, these pristine waters hold fish year-round. GTs were still plentiful, although not in the huge summer numbers. Keep in mind that the seasons are reversed from ours. If you want to target a specific species, plan accordingly. 

Traveling Notes

The all-inclusive Namale Resort and Spa (namalefiji.com) boasts breathtaking views and unbelievable hospitality. It is a first-class resort with pampering spa treatments for you and your nonfishing spouse. On the mornings I fished, staff arranged ground transportation and packed a cooler for my excursion.

Immersion Fiji is an incredible guide service for hardcore fishermen targeting GTs, yellowfin tuna and more. For the true adventurer, it offers off-the-grid trips to remote locations where fish have likely never seen a lure. Immersion Fiji also accommodates fun-seekers looking to fish, snorkel and soak in the Fiji lifestyle. Immersion Fiji works with several lodging options and occasionally offers Fiji Airways discount codes. Find contact information at ­immersionfiji.com.

If you are interested in traveling to Savusavu, direct flights leave from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Nadi, the main Fiji island, on Fiji Airways (fijiairways.com). From there you will need another one-hour flight with Fiji Airways to Savusavu. 

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When changing plugs, use the split-ring-to-swivel connection. Michael Simon A Pro Tip for Rigging

Most experts tie 150-pound leader to a split ring. The plugs have 350-pound swivels attached to them. When changing plugs, use the split-ring-to-swivel connection. This allows you to get a great knot cinched down tight and saves you from retying heavy mono with every lure change. The swivel also gives you a little bit of extra protection from all the toothy critters you’ll encounter.

Beware of Ciguatoxins

There are fish to avoid in Fiji. Some of the tastiest-looking can be full of ciguatoxins. Interestingly, there are reefs where some of the fish always have ciguatoxins and others where the same species are safe to eat. Local knowledge is key when it comes to deciding what to keep for the table.

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