The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Ulua (Giant Trevally) Caranx ignobilis
Ulua (Giant Trevally) Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 24–40 in, 10–40 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 5 ft 5 in and 190 lb |
| Lifespan | Up to about 30 years |
| Range | Shorelines and reefs throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and broadly across the tropical Indo-Pacific. |
| Habitat | Shoreline ledges, reef edges, harbor mouths and sand channels, from the wash out to a few hundred feet of water. |
| Diet | Reef fish, octopus, crabs and spiny lobster — whole live baits and fast-moving lures get bit. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Ulua (Giant Trevally)
- Steep, blunt, near-vertical head profile
- Silver to dusky-grey body; large adults darken toward black
- Hard bony scutes (keeled scales) along the rear lateral line at the tail base
- Deeply forked tail; first dorsal of soft rays low and even
- No spots, bars, or blue fins (uniform; dominant/males may flush dark)
Tell it apart: Steep blunt forehead, large size, and a plain silver-to-grey body with no blue fins and no spots separate it from the spotted, blue-finned Omilu.
Easily confused with: Bluefin Trevally (Omilu)
Side by side: Ulua (Giant Trevally) vs Bluefin Trevally (Omilu)
How to Catch Ulua (Giant Trevally)
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- Peaks July-October; heavy shore-casting with large poppers and slide-bait rigs from ledges, or whip stickbaits at dawn and dusk along rocky shorelines.GearGiant trevally poppersHeavy circle hooksHeavy casting rod
- Catchable steadily all year; whip lead-head jigs and small spoons or dunk bait from shore, working sandy channels and reef pockets at changing light.GearWhipping jigsSmall casting spoonsLight whipping rod
When & Where Ulua (Giant Trevally) Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Islands Inshore | ||||||||||||
| Hawaiian Islands Nearshore | ||||||||||||
| Hawaiian Islands Inshore |
Ulua (Giant Trevally) Regulations
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.