How to chase coral trout on the flats

No one reading this can honestly say that they wouldn’t rather be on a remote lagoon fishing the Great Barrier Reef in crystal clear conditions. It is my favourite place in the world and one that as soon as I leave I’m dreaming of the next time I can get back. The variety of fish is unparalleled to anywhere else that I have experienced. The wildlife, raw nature and the sense of adventure that comes with a liveaboard trip is my happy place.

Sometimes that weather can play silly buggers and carry on a little bit too much. It is important to time adventures safely in accordance with weather maps and charts. When so much planning goes into a trip it can be quite deflating to pull the pin because of poor conditions. We have been hit by unexpected weather, where the safest option has been to spend a few days exploring the sheltered parts of the lagoon. In this case, we found some of the most productive options to be tidal dependent. This article will explore chasing fish on the flat and what to expect.

Tides:

Depending on the shape and type of reef, these options can vary. If there are large coral flats this rule is generally applicable. We tend to fish the hour before the high tide and start t make our way off the reef when the tide shows signs of receding. If this is a new type of fishing to you, always fish the rising tide before moving off the reef. The last thing you need is to be high and dry in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef.

The high tide floods the lagoons and rises up over onto the flats. The majority of baitfish retreat to these shallow sections to avoid getting picked off by bigger predators on the edges of the reefs. Here they can somewhat feel safe hiding between coral ledges and bommies. Little do they know that they are being stalked…

Coral trout will move into the flats and ambush prey swimming past their vantage point, usually in the shadows of overhanging coral or in deeper pools. If there is a breeze, you can tilt your motor up and drift along the top of the flats casting in 360 degrees of the boat with a fast retrieve, looking for the fast reaction bite that is required of the expecting predators. Ideally, an electric motor can be used to accommodate for drift if there isn’t one, and allow ideal zones to be fished. The more patchy the reef with deeper holes, the better. Always have someone at the front of the boat looking for dangers. Use the sounder to ensure that the water is deep enough to accommodate for the draft of the boat and then some.

When the tide is falling, you can run back out to the edges of the lagoons where the water is spilling into deeper water, look for channels in particular. Here you can cast around bigger poppers or stickbaits as you will find some larger specimens who have been patiently waiting for a feed. GT’s, red bass and dino trout to name a few.