• 28 Aug 2025
  • Posted by : YFS

Fishing Giant Travelly in Seychelles !

Fishing Giant Trevally (GT) in the Seychelles blends dreamy holidays with high-adrenaline sport fishing. This Indian Ocean archipelago — baseline for the blue economy — offers pristine beaches, crystal waters, and world-class fishing. Expect encounters with Marlins, Yellowfin Tuna, Dogtooth Tuna, GTs, Amberjacks, Groupers, Sharks, Bonefish, Milkfish and more. Techniques include jigging, popping, trolling, live bait, fishing lodges and catamaran expeditions.

Seychelles is famous for sport fishing, drawing anglers from all over the world to chase trophy fish for fun and excitement — especially the Giant Trevally, the undisputed thug of the reefs.

Fishing Alphonse Island

Fishing Alphonse Island

Fly and popper fishing in flats and reefs....

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Fishing Coetivy Island

Fishing Coetivy Island

Private Fishing Trip to Coëtivy Island, Seychelles....

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Fishing Farquhar Atoll

Fishing Farquhar Atoll

Exclusive Fishing Trip to Farquhar Atoll, Seychelles....

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Fishing La Digue Island

Fishing La Digue Island

Island-style fishing around La Digue, Seychelles. Ideal for reef fishing, popping for GT, or relaxed...

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Fishing Mahé Island

Fishing Mahé Island

Starting point for multi-day Indian Ocean expeditions....

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Fishing Praslin Island

Fishing Praslin Island

Tropical paradise and gateway to some of the best fishing in the Indian Ocean....

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Fishing Amirantes Islands

Fishing Amirantes Islands

Remote big game and reef fishing....

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Seychelles

Seychelles

Fishing in Seychelles....

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Why Seychelles is the Ultimate GT Destination

Recreational, adrenaline-fueled fishing is a Seychelles trademark. The waters are protected — industrial waste and sewage disposal are strictly prohibited — preserving a pure habitat for heavyweight predators. Seychelles holds impressive stocks of exotic fish like Yellowfin Tuna, Giant Trevally, Groupers, Marlin and more, routinely reaching 70–80 kg. Among the local favorites, popping is a headline technique for explosive surface strikes in this part of the Indian Ocean.

  • Pristine Waters: Clean, protected ecosystems ideal for sport fishing.
  • Heavy Stocks of Predators: GTs, Yellowfin, Dogtooth, Groupers, Marlin.
  • Surface Mayhem: World-renowned popping over reef edges and current lines.

Where and When to Catch GTs

Seychelles spans 115 islands (land area 455.3 km²) with a vast EEZ of 1.37 million km². The main island is Mahé. You’ll find prime fishing around reef edges, bottlenecks, pressure points, and on the plateau close to the islands. Many top grounds are nearshore; Black/Blue Marlin prefer the drop-off and deeper waters, while GTs are found from the inshore reef systems to current-heavy edges.

  • Best Months for GT Activity: October–November (end of the windy season = hyper-active GTs).
  • Overall Productive Window: October, November, December, February, March, April, May.
  • Weather Notes: March–May = warmer air, flat seas; June–September = strong SE trades, tougher offshore conditions.

Rain often improves sport fishing by cooling the air and boosting fish activity. Climate varies across islands: northern (Bird 1950 mm, Denis 1700 mm) are wetter; southern groups (Farquhar, Aldabra) are dry. Despite general patterns, rainfall is hard to predict — you can see dry spells in “rainy” months and vice versa.

Target Species & Seasons

  • Black Marlin: Peak September–November; presence tracks Yellowfin/Bonito pelagics.
  • Blue Marlin: Year-round, best September–November. Trolling & live bait recommended.
  • Sailfish: Year-round; peaks October–November & March–April. Trolling & live bait.
  • GT / Blue Trevally: Year-round; best Oct–Nov. Popping & jigging.
  • Dogtooth Tuna: Year-round — popping & jigging.
  • Amberjacks: Year-round; stronger April–May. Jigging & live bait.
  • Yellowfin Tuna: Year-round; excellent September–November. Popping & jigging.
  • Wahoo / Mahi-Mahi (Dorado): Year-round; very active. Popping & jigging.

Best Techniques in Seychelles

Breathtaking trophies — Sailfish, Marlin, Sharks, Rainbow Runner, GTs, Wahoo — make Seychelles a dream for both seasoned and novice anglers. Here’s your quick guide:

  • Trolling: Pull a spread of lures at steady speed until the strike.
  • Jigging: PE7–PE8 recommended; handle 10–12 kg drag. Deep, speed, butterfly, vertical, Japanese, and extreme jigging — plus long jigs for depth.
  • Popping: Bring heavy tackles for GTs, Yellowfin, Dogtooth. PE10 recommended. Cast, pause, repeat until the bite.
  • Live Bait Fishing: Deadly for big fish holding deeper when jig/popping are less effective.

Popping for GTs – How to Trigger Monsters

Popping is incredibly effective for 40 kg+ GTs. Depths vary 5–35 m. A popper’s concave head creates a loud splash & “pop” that draws predators. Cast 40–70 m, monitor birds, current, and bait activity.

  • Retrieve Speed: Over 20–25 m depth, a slower cadence helps fish key on the sound. In shallow water, speed up. Always add stop-and-go pauses.
  • Drag: Close your drag to 10–14 kg to stop fish from reefing you.
  • Lure Types: Poppers, stickbaits, big pencils, splashers — vary profiles and sounds.

Using Stickbaits

When fish refuse the pop, switch to stickbaits to emulate injured baitfish. Use both floating and sinking models — both produce excellent results in Seychelles for GTs, Groupers and more.

  • Cast & Swim: Long casts; mix sweeps and pauses to keep baits in the strike zone.
  • Follow-ups: If a GT follows but doesn’t eat, change speed/angle or switch from popper to stickbait.

Fishing GTs Seychelles – Tips & Tactics

GTs are bullies of the reef. Average 25–35 kg, up to 50 kg+ (recorded ~70 kg). Preparation and planning win fights.

  • Gearing Up: If it’s your first time, start around PE6. Build up to PE10+. Use gloves and a gimbal belt.
  • Leader Length: Long enough for comfortable casting with your finger on the leader — protects braid from wear.
  • Lures & Terminals: Poppers 150–250 mm, stickbaits 180–300 mm. Mind hook gauge: too thick = hard to set; too light = can open up.
  • Knots & Tools: FG / PR knots; quality split ring pliers are essential.
  • Find Fish: Shallow inshore reefs, islands, bottlenecks, pressure edges, upwellings — look for bait, bust-ups, bird life.
  • Angles Win: Hooked GTs head for the reef. If the angle is bad, back off drag and change position fast.

Recommended Gear for GT in Seychelles

For popping big GTs, we recommend PE10–PE12 lines and ~12 kg drag to turn fish before they reef you.

  • Rods: PE10 popping rod minimum.
  • Reels: Shimano Stella 14000 or Daiwa Saltiga 4500 as smaller end for popping; size up if possible.
  • Must-Have Lures: Rapala X-Rap Pop (great value), Amegari Poppers (revolutionary), Navigator Poppers (team favorites).

The Catamaran Advantage – Multi-Day Expeditions

Catamaran expeditions unlock remote reefs, maximize time on prime structure, and let you adapt techniques to daily conditions. Between intense sessions, enjoy the islands — snorkeling, diving, and exploring — before returning to the bite windows.

  • Access: Hard-to-reach plateaus, passes, and current lines.
  • Time on Fish: Multi-day mobility increases encounters with trophy GTs.
  • Comfort: Space, stability, and rest = better performance on the rod.

Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Lagoon 46F

Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Lagoon 46F

Fishing Mahé Island

Catamaran Fishing Charter Seychelles - Lagoon 46F Catamaran fishing charter…

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Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Nexus 600

Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Nexus 600

Fishing Mahé Island

Catamaran Fishing Charter Seychelles - Nexus 600 Catamaran fishing charter …

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Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Power Cat 54 feet

Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Power Cat 54 feet

Fishing Mahé Island

Catamaran Fishing Charter Seychelles - Power Cat 54 Feet Catamaran fishing …

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Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Saba 50

Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Saba 50

Fishing Mahé Island

Catamaran Fishing Charter Seychelles - Saba 50 Catamaran fishing charter Se…

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Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Seventy 7

Catamaran Fishing Seychelles - Seventy 7

Fishing Mahé Island

Catamaran Fishing Charter Seychelles - Lagoon Seventy 7 Catamaran fishing c…

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Best Seasons and Conditions

Plan between October–December and February–May for consistent action. Rain is often a plus for sport fishing. June–September brings strong SE trades — more challenging offshore, but in the right areas and with the right angles, GTs still play.

Book Your Giant Trevally Fishing Adventure

Ready to battle the Giant Trevally Seychelles? With proper gear, tactics, and access to the best grounds — especially by catamaran — your odds soar. Plan smart, fish hard, and keep casting: the next explosion could be the fish of a lifetime.

Thinking of these leading fishing islands? Aim between October and May.

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