How to fish FADs like a pro
How do you restrain a mahi-mahi once you've landed it? What's the proper etiquette when fishing a crowded FAD? We answer these questions and moreSummer is here and the fish aggregating/attracting devices, or FADs, are back in the water throughout Australia . The NSW Fisheries’ FAD program has been a raging success since its inception, with 30 devices positioned between Eden and the Tweed during the summer months. Queensland is finally getting on board with a similar setup (although its system is called fish attraction devices), and even Tasmania is investigating the possibilities of installing them in their waters.
FADs are designed to mimic flotsam drifting the world’s oceans, creating the same small ecosystems that attracts an entire food chain over time.
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When talking about target species around FADS, we’re looking at mahi mahi or dolphin fish as the key player, but wahoo, tuna and juvenile kingfish will also also call them home during their deployment. Naturally enough, top end predators such as marlin and sharks won’t be far away either.
The ideal scenario for FAD fun is warm, blue water flowing steadily down from the north, with a temperature of more than 21 degrees Celsius – the warmer the better for mahi.
Now there’s a number of dos and don’ts when it comes to fishing FADs, especially if there’s a bit of boat traffic.
The early bird catches the worm, or in this case the mahi. Boat pressure definitely shuts them down, so if you can be on-site at sunup with a tank of live yellowtail or slimy mackerel, then so much the better. A cube trail of diced pilchards with whole pillies as bait is a workable alternative, although live bait definitely singles out the bigger fish.
Start above the FAD, drift through, hopefully catch your fish, then move back up-current but out wide to avoid the bite zone. Trolling back isn’t a bad idea, as it might produce more mahi or even wahoo and marlin.
If the FAD is anchored on hard reef, dropping a jig down while drifting can turn up all manner of surprises (as well as more mahi).
Do not tie up to the FAD (or wave buoy or trap float) under any circumstances. This will only damage it and possibly drag it out of position. In the case of wave buoys, they are also harbouring a lot of valuable electronics inside.
And don’t just race up to the FAD and start fishing. Join the queue up-current and wait your turn. This applies to spearos as well. Skippers and anglers should be mindful of their presence in the water and their boat should be flying a blue and white diver's flag.
Holding position adjacent to the FAD with spot lock on the bow-mount electric motor is also inconsiderate. Unless you have the place to yourself, fellow FAD fishers will be quick to point out the error of your ways…
A fantastic table fish, mahis go absolutely ballistic when they hit the deck, so keep arms and legs well clear. A tap with a fish bat followed by a length of stretchy cord wth a loop at one end and a double hook at the other is a good way of controlling them. Loop on the tail, hook in the mouth, and order is restored.
Unlike most fish, mahi mahi boys and girls are easy to tell apart. The females have a rounded head profile, while the males are squarer. The blokes also attain the greatest size, which isn’t often the case in the world of fish.
They definitely become shy, particularly on weekends, but a detour via the FAD on the way home after a day’s marlin trolling often reveals that the place is all yours and they’re back on the chew.
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