GT fishing tackle for Kenya
Rods, reels, line, leaders and lures for a Giant Trevally trip in Kenya.
If you are planning a dedicated GT trip, having the right tackle is essential. GTs are extremely powerful fish, and they often need heavy tackle to control them quickly and stop them reaching reefs, rocks or other structure.
Popping: rod, reel, line and leader
Rod and reel
For GT popping, we recommend a PE10 popping rod paired with a high-quality, heavy-duty spinning reel.
Recommended reels include:
- Daiwa Saltiga 14,000–18,000
- Shimano Stella 14,000–18,000, preferably with a high-speed gear ratio
Line and leader
For the main line, we recommend 100 lb braid, combined with a strong 220–240 lb shock leader for the abrasion resistance and strength you need when targeting large GTs around structure.
Jigging: rod, reel, line and leader
Rod and reel
For GT jigging, we recommend a short PE6–8 jigging rod paired with a powerful spinning reel designed for heavy jigging.
Suitable reels include:
- Daiwa Saltiga 18,000–20,000
- Shimano Stella 20,000
For jigging, a slower gear ratio is better, particularly when working heavier jigs in deep water. Ideally choose a reel with a gear ratio between about 4.2:1 and 5.6:1 at most. A slower retrieve gives more torque and makes heavy jigs easier to work.
Line and leader
We recommend 80 lb braid for the main line.
The jigging leader should not be thicker than it needs to be, because too much leader diameter affects the action and presentation of the jig. We usually use about 0.95 mm, 175 lb-test monofilament.
A 150 lb leader can also be used, but a lighter leader increases the risk of losing a big GT, particularly close to reefs and other structure.
Important
Check everything, and match everything
GT fishing places extreme demands on your tackle. Every component — rod, reel, braid, leader, knots, split rings, swivels and hooks — should be properly matched and checked before fishing.
With trophy-size GTs, strength and reliability are critical: once a big fish strikes, there may be only a few seconds to turn it away from structure.
Hooks
If you want a realistic chance of landing a monster GT, strong and reliable hooks are essential.
For popping
We recommend bringing BKK GT-Rex barbless hooks to Kenya. Depending on the size and weight of your lures, sizes from 5/0 to 7/0 are suitable. For large poppers we strongly recommend 6/0 — or preferably 7/0 — BKK GT-Rex hooks.
For jigging
You will need heavy-duty solid jigging hooks in a range of sizes from about 6/0 to 12/0. Sizing varies between manufacturers, so check each manufacturer’s size chart to confirm the actual dimensions and strength of the hook.
We commonly use VMC 7264 BN hooks, generally from 9/0 to 13/0 depending on the size of the jig and the target fish.
Jigs
The jig weight you need depends mainly on the depth, the current and the fishing conditions.
By season
- January to March: we mainly fish deeper water, so jigs from 150 g to 350 g are recommended.
- October to December: we may also fish shallower areas where GTs are feeding on small sardines. In these conditions 100–150 g jigs can be very effective.
What to bring
We suggest a good selection of jigs averaging around 200–250 g. Butterfly jigs perform well in both seasons. For January to March, bring some long-shaped jigs for strong currents and deeper jigging spots.
Recommended colours:
- Pink / silver / white
- Blue / silver
- Green / silver
For a dedicated GT trip, carry a range of jig weights: current strength and depth can change throughout the day.
Poppers
Go big or go home. When targeting giant trevally in Kenya, we recommend carrying a selection of large, heavy-duty poppers designed to make plenty of noise and disturbance on the surface.
Poppers of 120–180 g, preferably with a large cup and strong construction, are highly recommended. We often fish over deeper water, so a popper with a loud, aggressive action helps draw GTs up from below.
Poppers that have worked for us
- Blaze Garage Saththa
- ReefsEDGE
- HERU Cubera
- Halco Roosta Popper
In our experience the exact model matters less than having a long-profile popper with a large cup and a strong swimming action that attracts aggressive GTs.
Colours
Colour is generally less critical than action and presentation, but these have produced good results:
- Coral trout
- Fusilier
- Black / silver
- Pink / silver
- Purple
- Ivory
Carry several colours and patterns so you can adapt to the baitfish and the water conditions on the day.
Stick baits
Stick baits can also be very effective for GTs, although poppers have generally produced more consistent results for us.
On the surface, stick baits with a wide walk-the-dog or sliding action work particularly well. Carry both floating (swimming) and sinking stick baits: each has its place depending on the depth, the current, the bait activity and the behaviour of the fish.
Do not be afraid of big stick baits for trophy-size GTs. We recommend carrying some up to about 25 cm long, particularly when targeting larger fish.
Colours
- Dark green
- Fusilier
- Black
- Dark purple
As with poppers, action and presentation generally matter more than colour. A selection of profiles, actions and weights lets you adapt quickly as conditions change through the day.
Tell us when you want to fish.
Send your dates, how many anglers and what you are after. We will tell you honestly what is running then, and what it costs.