Diving minnow lures and poppers can be effective at a slow-ish troll speed of about 5 knots. For a different approach, try jigging leadheads, casting minnow lures to bombies or using a deep water rig of sinker and one to two hooks with live bait or fresh whole fish, squid or pilchards.

What size hooks for coral trout?

Coral Trout Hooks need to be 5/0 to 8/0 and attached with a Surgeon’s End Loop.

What is a paternoster rig?

The paternoster rig is a multi-hooked bottom fishing rig best used from an anchored boat or a pier when there’s not much tide running. Slack line should be avoided with this rig, as a biting fish will feel the resistance of the lead and drop the bait, long before it can be registered at the rod tip.

Do you need to bleed coral trout?

And when you’re talking prime reef fish such as coral trout at $40 a kilo, here are a couple of tips which will make sure it’s fresh as possible. Bleeding your fish, helps remove the blood and keep the flesh in top condition, preventing strong blood lines through your fillet.

How long should a paternoster rig be?

When chasing leatherjackets in the estuaries the main thing I found when using this rig is that you need to keep the overall length of the rig to about half the length of the rod you are using and that the distance that the hook (number 8 to 12 long shanked hook) is away from the main line is no more than 12cm.

What bait is best for saltwater fishing?

Catch More Saltwater Fish with These Four Baits

  • Shrimp. Shrimp is a go to bait for saltwater anglers.
  • Shellfish. Lots of different species of fish eat shellfish like clams, mussels, or crabs.
  • Cut Bait. Cut bait has a strong aroma which is a key way to attract saltwater fish.
  • Bait Fish.

How do you properly bleed a fish?

To bleed them, all you need to do is cut the artery that runs along the bottom of the area between their gills. You’ll know you cut through the artery if there is a lot of blood loss or blood on the knife. If there’s no blood, then try again a little higher. After you’ve cut through the artery, place them in ice.

What is the best rod and reel for coral trout?

When we’re fishing for coral trout we use a nice heavy rod with 40-60lb mono or braid with an overhead reel. Usually we rig up with a 3 hook gang and an 8 ball sinker. For livies like yakkas and slimies you should use a stinger rig. Coral trout like to sit near a snag or in little underwater caves.

How do you fish coral trout?

A good sounder will help, but simply putting your head over the side with a mask or fish spotter will do the trick too. The last thing you need to remember is that Coral Trout, like any predator fish like to face into the current. Position your bait or jig on the side of the bommie that the current is pushing onto.

Where are the best places to catch coral trout?

Coral trout can be caught on coral reefs near drop-offs or bommies. A good place to look for them is north of Fraser Island and some nice fish can also be caught off Mooloolaba.

What is the best rig for rock fishing?

A dropper rig with the sinker below the hook reduces snagging on rocks. It also allows you to stay tight to the bait in deep water with little current. On the other hand, in shallow water with decent current, I use a running rig with the sinker above the leader.