With summer fast approaching, this means the East Australian Current (EAC) is bringing down the warm water and with it, hopefully some dollies, otherwise known as Mahi Mahi. Every year fisheries puts out a number of FAD’S (Fish Aggregating Devices) up and down the NSW coastline to target these awesome fish.
What is a FAD?
Fish aggregating devices (FADs) provide structure in an open water environment. Fish are attracted to FADs for numerous reasons, such as to feed on prey species or as reference points for schooling. Baitfish are drawn to the FAD’s as they provide cover/safety for them, which in turn creates a food chain for larger predators such as dollies. FAD’s aren’t just the ones that Fisheries put out every year, you may find some buoys from a commercial fish trap or even a floating log, anything that can hold baitfish and has growth – you will find dollies. So, if you see something floating its worth taking a closer look.
Gear
Dollies are the fastest growing fish in the sea, meaning they will definitely give your gear a good workout. Shimano makes a range or rods and reels to suit. I personally would have two combos; one for fishing lighter with lures, plastics or bait, then a heavier combo fishing live baits or lures. For the lighter combo I’d use a reel in the 4000-5000 size like the new Stradic FM or Vanford spooled up with 15-20lb braid and 20-30lb Ocea fluorocarbon leader. Match this with a rod around 7ft in length such as the new Revolution series and your light combo is ready. The heavier combo, I’d use a spinning reel in the 6000-8000 size such as a Saragosa SW-A , the Spheros SW or an overhead like a TLD25 or Speedmaster 16II spooled with 40-50lb braid with 40-60lb Ocea fluorocarbon leader. For the rod I’d recommend something in the 6’6-7ft in length such as a Terez or Anthem SW – this combo might be a bit overkill on the smaller dollies but if you hook a big one, you will need it.
Targeting Dollies
Lucky for anglers dollies are scavengers, meaning they will pretty much eat anything. They can be picky at times but often, having a range of options such as lures, live baits, strip baits or plastics you are bound to get them to eat. For lures I’d recommend using your heavier outfit for trolling around the FAD’s using a variety of deep divers and skirts in different sizes and colours, trolling loops and figure 8 patterns. Don’t be scared to troll 200 to 300m away from the FAD as the bigger dollies normally hang off the FAD.
Try throwing stick baits and poppers such as the Ocea Bettyu Hiramasa towards the FADs for some awesome topwater action or flicking plastics using your lighter setup with a small jighead and a Squidgie Fish or Wriggler hopping it back towards the boat. Mix it up in size between 80-140mm in a variety of colours depending on what they are feeding on.
Strip baits work just as well, and it’s easy for a beginner to do themselves, run up current of the FAD throw out a handful of burley and using either cubes of yellowtails, slimy mackerel , pilchards and even squid stripes– put a 5/0 or 6/0 through the top of the bait either unweighted or with a small bean sinker and drift along, as you pass the FAD you should get hit.
Lastly live baits – using live yellowtail or even better live slimy mackerel rig up about 1-1.5m of trace with a 5/0 or 6/0 hook pinned through the back or the nose of the fish. Flick it out and keep your reel in freespool, you will feel the fish “take off” when a Dollie has grabbed it and then slowly up your drag/close the bail arm and you should be on. When fishing live baits don’t go to close to the FAD as your live bait can spook and may tangle itself around the FAD, so stay a short distance away.
FAD Etiquette
Don’t tie up to the FAD – its not designed to hold the weight of a boat. Don’t come speeding up to the FAD in amongst everyone’s drift and ruin it for everyone, slowly troll up around the outside and start your drift up current of the FAD. Take turns, especially on weekends when its busy – be courteous and everyone will have fun!
Final Tips
early morning and late afternoon are prime time for dollies around the FAD’s before and after all the boat traffic scares them off. If you can be one of the first boats at the FAD your chances of getting some good fish before everyone else shows up are increased. If it’s not possible to be one of the first boats out, try stay out there for tide change. An hour before and hour after tide change are the most productive times to catch fish on the FAD. It might be quiet fishing on the lead up to the tide but as soon as the tide turns the fish come on the bite. Lastly the most important I believe is ‘Match the Hatch’ – work out what the Dollies are feeding on and try replicate it with either your lures or bait, if they are feeding on small white bait using strip baits might work better opposed to live bait. So, get out there, have fun try a few different methods and you are bound to work out what they are taking on the day.
