Triggerhappy: Fly fishing for triggerfish

Fishing for what is possible the most underrated fish on the flats…Triggerfish

Triggerfish are a sturdy reef fish containing around 40 different species.  Their habitats range from deep water reefs and channels but a few swim on the flats.  Of the species that feed on the flats, there is one  that is highly sought after, the yellowmargin triggerfish. It is found in the Indo-Pacific, and a commonly targeted species of the Seychelles and Kiritimati (Christmas Island).

They feed on crustaceans, tusing their oversized incisors to root around in coral, scaring crabs and other inhabitants out of their homes. They then use their teeth to grab and crush their food. When they are not aggressively feeding, they are aggressively protecting their dens.

The unique and odd behavior of these fish are what make them an angler’s dream. Due to where and how they feed, the cast must extremely accurate to get the fish’s attention. The fish can often be seen tailing in shallow coral beds and shallow areas of reef. Because they use their teeth to break up coral, they often have a hard time hearing what is around them, including a splashing fly. Triggerfish can be surprisingly selective but if it does eat your fly, sticking it can come down to luck. Their small, boney, toothy mouths have very little space for a hook.

As a protection against predators and to make fly fishing for them difficult, triggerfish can lock the first of two dorsal spines in place and it can only be unlocked only by depressing the second, “trigger” spine.  This is why is it called a triggerfish? Once hooked, the first thing the fish will do is run into its den and lock itself in place. If it succeeds the fish will not come out unless it is killed.

The last step is getting the fly out. The aggressive fish are more than happy to bite at your finger. Use caution because the bite is similar to a rodent bite due to the shape of the incisors.  Even if you have a mishap, it will be hard to wipe the grin off your face when you land one of these fish.

For triggerfish lighter tackle is fun but can really stress the fish out.  Using an 8 – 10 weight is more than sufficient for the fight.  A 10 foot leader with 15-20 pound tippet works well, although they can be leader-shy.  Throwing small crab patterns is key. While they are likely to bite at a larger, more elaborate permit fly, it simply will not fit in their mouth therefore you will not hook it.  Keep it small and keep it colorful.  Yellowmargin Triggerfish are fun yet elusive and an underrated fish on the rise in the saltwater community.  Definitely put these fish on your list if they are not already there. Look for more writing about exotic species like triggers and parrots in upcoming issues of Tail.