trevally

FACT FILE
Name:	Psuedocaranx georgianus, silver trevally
Size:	Very small to 10kg.
Tackle:	6-12wt.
Season:	All year, best time Dec-August.
Locations:	Offshore reefs, harbours, around structure.

The New Zealand silver trevally is an extremely tough adversary on fly.
Typically growing to three kilograms this fish can weigh up to ten kilograms in the Far North of New Zealand and on some outlying islands.
Recently it has been proved to be a separate species from another silver trevally found in Australian sub-tropical waters (Psuedocaranx dentex) and as such the New Zealand specimens are the largest for their species.

Typically a bottom feeder on invertebrate animals over soft sea floors the silver trevally will also appear at the surface to dine enthusiastically on tiny planktonic shrimps (krill), and will regularly feed on anchovies and other small fish.

A lover of mixed habitats where sand channels mix with jagged reef the silver trevally is noted for being a very dirty fighter and will bust fly anglers off on underwater structure if given even the remotest chance. As a result they can require robust tackle in any environment where rocks or wharf piles are present. To specifically target trevally on fly one must be prepared to loose some terminal tackle.

Surface Krill Feeders are fished with seven to nine weight rods, Intermediate or Floating lines, small flies and long light leaders.
A small pink krill fly tied on a size 8 or 6 hook is cast delicately in front of feeding fish and drawn gently in front of a wall of feeding mouths. Individual trevally will peel off the school to snap at the fly.
Krill feeders are commonly caught at the surface in deep water enabling the use of relatively light tackle. The krill feeding trevally schools of New Zealand are one of the highlights of the local salt water fly fishing scene.

Reef and Wharf Dwellers are the meanest opponents any fly angler in New Zealand can tangle with. They require strong terminal tackle and quick reactions.
Rod weights between nine and twelve are recommended with tippets between ten and twenty kilograms breaking strain. Intermediate, Slow Sink, and Sink Tip fly lines are recommended.

Sand Beach and Sand Channel Trevally are regularly feed in holes and channels on clean sand beaches and sand harbours, most commonly at dawn and dusk. In this environment they can be fished with the same lighter tackle used on the krill feeders.
With no reef to head for surf and channel trevally will put up an extremely hard fight making long hard runs up and down the beach. Ensure all connections are strong and that your reel has at least two hundred metres of backing.
Ninety Mile Beach in New Zealand’s Far North is a well known producer of quality trevally in a surf environment. The famous Parengarenga harbour which we fish up to 6 months a year, is without question the place to be for targeting trevally on fly.