Fishing the 'FAD's' (Fish Aggregating Device)

Ahoy Legends, this week I head out to fish my local FAD's (fish aggregating device) in search of Mahi Mahi or dolphinfish. The action is on right from the very first bait!
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Check out all the gear used into today's video at www.wilsonfishing.com
Instagram: / wilson_fishing_aus
Check out the Swibo range of Filleting knives at: www.bcf.com.au/search?q=swibo...
Instagram: / victorinox_australia

[@SammyHitzkeFishing]

Happy Sunday legends! How you enjoy the video! 🍻🍻🍻

[@davidmason510]

Always do Sammy

[@travsfishnsafaris7315]

Well done 👏

[@catfishpoptart8895]

Always!

[@thinhphamquang8807]

Where are you from

[@goodguysfishing2711]

You’re right mate. I can’t name a more beautiful fish. Mahis are the hardest fish to paint. The mix of colours are insane.

[@joatmofa0405]

You Aussies have the best fishing grounds around the *WHOLE* coastline - still plenty of fish! Excellent video - I'm *EXTREMELY* jealous!

[@timfields6130]

All nice Dolphin cows. I was surprised that first cow didn't have a bigger bull tagging along. The great thing about Dolphins is how fast they grow. (Fastest growing fish in the ocean) Nice fish. Excellent video. May you always have tight lines and bent rods.

[@unplanedlayer]

hey Sammy, great video as always, Im a 50 year old Pom, but have spent a bit of time in your country , in my 20's i spent a year or so travelling the east coast . met some amazing aussie mates that i still keep in touch with and have visited since. A mate of a mate from the sunshine coast took me out in a tinniy off caloundra , we caught reef fish then took a chance and went out a bit wider for mackerel. best 40 minutes of my fishing life followed and we went home to fillet ... he kept the fillets for his family, we sank a few beers and grilled the frames on the bbq..... it was some of the best tasting fish I've eaten, do you ever eat the frames.?.. if so could you do a macky frame catch and cook? cheers mate, keep on with the top content . happy christmas !

[@antz2556]

Great video sammy, mate thanks for another awesome year packed with excellent fishing and good times. Have a great Christmas bloke👍👍🍺🍺

[@MrAcuta73]

FISH TACOS!! Love those critters, deep fried on a tortilla...with chipotle white sauce and lots of avocado! The video was really good, that thumbnail was amazing!

[@FishingandhuntingwithAndy]

Amazing looking fish! You’re living the dream Sammy! Awesome mate! 👏

[@guineapigmating7694]

Hey Sammy some advice; through many frustrating fad sessions we’ve found the mahi generally prefer the live bait in free spool all the time, to achieve this drifting the fad is needed. The best place to hook the bait is in the lower back half near the bum this makes it swim down and seems to be the most natural presentation. Circles tend to be less effective, as when the mahi are shutdown they often just play with the bait rather than eat it (baits often come back scaled roughed up and dead) underwater footage also shows how Mahi play with bait. the mahi we catch when shutdown are often hooked in the head or some other weird place. Although it may seem unlikely the hookup is soild the majority of the time. This is a result of the hooks, 5/0 or 6/0 bkk octopus (for mustard fine points go up one size). These techniques tend to be good when the mahi are biting and the difference between catching 1 or 10 fish when there shutdown. Note 2 hooks can be used on bigger slimes or yakkas hook the same way just add small stinger treble via snell.

[@nicholas6570]

I’ve gone out for a few trips now. I’ve been using a circle hook with livies. They tend to be shutdown most of the time at Gold Coast although I’ve gotten a 105cm Mahi using a circle hook in the nose of the livie and some smaller mahi with the same hook placement.

[@manueldinoris843]

Like always Sammy another awesome video buddy, keep them coming.👍👍

[@ozzietingobeltran5790]

Nice. Like the shot with the shark chasing the dolphin. Had that exact thing happen to me this year.

[@CrampyX119]

Love the videos mate keep it up! 👌🏼🎣

[@chrisralston294]

Nice work Sammy dollies are great fun and a good chew.

[@proteusnet]

Great catch Sammy

[@brunomerlini4248]

Great episode, dollies are great fun 🤙🤙

[@pardus8panthera5]

Was out there Wednesday. Mahi would not touch any lures, whether skirt or solid. Unfortunately had no live bait. The Mahi were jumping all over me making it a joke...that's fishing!

[@GoldDinger]

That's why they don't call it catching. That sux when you know they're there.

[@trentenperry4827]

I was out there last Wednesday as well.. We had to jump in and shoot them. They have been extremely cautious feeding around the fads for the last 3-4 months

[@CRN8091]

I was too, could see them but they weren’t taking anything!.

[@ticdelarue]

Thanks for a video of catching my favorite species in the ocean. Here in Texas near Galveston when we encountered a school of Mahi in the Gulf of Mexico we have a few of our mate vigorously agitate the water around the sides of the boat with some rod tips to keep the hooked mahi's s mates enticed and pitch baits nearby to hook them up also.

[@willknight1005]

Sweet vid mate👍 Awesome taxidermy/fish mount's in your garage 👍

[@smee103]

Another good day on the water Sammy 👍 Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas

[@MrSkybeau]

Hey Sammy, I have to say, I love the video footage of the strikes on your trolling lines. Have you ever thought about sticking one of your line cameras on the Catchy - Catchy?

[@robtaylorshotwater]

Mate - Check out the little Ocean's Legacy stickbaits for dollies. I use them in this vid and they nail the fish kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y53VZ6eOhbxnsMk

[@Riptide-fm1kz]

Caboolture’s finest ! 😂😂

[@muddymad5864]

You never fail to disappoint have a great Christmas

[@SG-Gody]

Didn’t really realise you had here under that hat. Thanks for confirming another thing we were all talking about. Love your work mate

[@joeyfitzpatrickfishing]

Great vid man 🤙🏽

[@_mudeyes_]

Love the video Sammy just ordered one of the Phantom tools👌🏼👌🏼

[@lesstalkmorefishing1000]

The skinning was so satisfying hahaha loved it mate!

[@edwardh1591]

Neat looking fish. Wish we could have the sun like you do. Beautiful day where you are at

[@karl4793]

Impressive filleting mate !

[@ryunsnyder3420]

Nice video! I'll be watching for the swordfish video! Because everyone knows that Mahi belly is a go to for swords! Best of luck mate

[@SG-Gody]

Sensational Sammy. Love the dolphinfish, such a sensational breed of creature. Love your work mate hope you come to W.A. one day perhaps you can take me fishing with you.

[@tigerpitadventures6023]

I love the video Sammy! We are about to get a boat like yours. To be exact, a Evloution 500 axis! I can’t wait to be doing the fishing that you do!

[@andresuter5532]

Thanks for Sunday entertainment 👍 cherrs from Switzerland 🥳

[@michaelbulla9231]

Nice work mate itching for them to come down here

[@muscat-chitadventures2364]

Lovely to see some fish getting around, I'm frothing to get out there

[@JacobE-23]

I haven't seen your videos in a while, I got some catching up to do lol. Great catch with that first mahi! Hope to catch my first one this up coming season, they look delicious and I can't wait to try one.

[@SG-Gody]

The gaf shot was okay, no problems with that. Good to see you and Seano’s are around again. Do you think you can do some more deep sea stuff in his boat, might save you some fuel costs. Lol I like your deep sea stuff mate, that’s been really cool. Go out there and stay a few nights in the dark and in the wet and show us a good show mate especially when There is a chance you won’t get home. No I’m only kidding mate I love you to bits. Make sure you get home.

[@d-manpr0561]

going to go out there soon.

[@nicholas6570]

Hey Sammy, I’ve been wondering what stickbaits you use as I’ve been looking into buying one. Any suggestions on which stickbaits work best? Also any recipes for Mahi Mahi?

[@rodneyhendrickson9811]

Man that looked Fun I would love to taste one of them Next time I go to Texas I'll buy me some Thanks for sharing man Great video mate

[@anthonynelson2015]

What a way to get my Sunday going! Great job Sammy One day I’ll be on that boat with ya.. you’re gonna have to show a American how to fish the proper way!

[@pearcebrown1043]

Nice one mate

[@RikkiTikkiTavi290]

Sweet, didn't know those FADs existed. I just finished the last of my wahoo steaks tonight, boated a 40 lbder on Monday. Coolest bite and fight of my life, got it on a live speedo ( like your slimy mackerel sort of but generally a bit bigger I think) on an 8000 Saragosa. Hadn't planned on going for wahoo but a cloud of speedo came right to my boat so I just had to. Thought the reel was going to explode hahaha.

[@jahdawg321zieman4]

In my experience Mahi will chase lures at a fast retrieve but will bite more often if you slow down a bit and give it a rhythmic sweep of the rod. Live bait definitely they way to go if you can get it

[@lovingburnettheads2190]

“Why does this always happen to me” You know the answer. Top episode champion.

[@danieltaylor757]

"Pub in the dessert" LOL 😂 Always wanted to fish the wave rider bouy off the Point for dollies but never felt quite safe enough in the 14 footer mate. Great episode. Hope you and thr fam have an awesome Chrissy mate. Blessings from the Aussie in Ohio!

[@timfields6130]

I'm from Florida but, have a friend from Tamworth, NSW that comes visit here in the states. Several years ago we drove up to Ohio to visit her family there. Small world.

[@PeteSlee]

So awesome Sammy, wish you have a subscriber take along one time! hands up if you ever do! Love your stuff mate.

[@bigmarn7643]

Love the video go the mahi 👍👍

[@franiannarone8196]

So cool 🤙

[@michaelphillips3451]

Fads are just like a maccas sign in the middle of the Simpson desert

[@akqj10119]

Good my Fishing friend nice 😊🥰👍

[@CherbyGetsOwnedFeatFsK]

What kind of boat do you have and motor?

[@chrishopkinson8442]

Great vid Sammy! We're heading out thursday to chase a few down off South West rocks! I've always just used pillies and always just get the rats 🤣 Any chance you can hint what size circles you use and any weight at all for the lives? Much appreciated

[@terrytailor]

Hey don't they go after taking the bait! Great footage on a rare calm day for this year. Nice work mate.

[@stevec9444]

Hey Sammy, does that fillet skinning trick work on any other fish??

[@malachivandijk3409]

Hey Sammy, what brand would u recommend for skirt lures, and like colours and head shape and what not. 😀

[@benturton3358]

I love these fish Sammy. So much fun and tasty too. Cracker vid mate. 🍻🍺

[@greghunter4383]

nice dolly on light gear mate!

[@scottyzfishing5660]

Nice Sammy can I please ask mate on how big your center console boat is bud nice dolly's to by the way

[@davejolly9010]

Using the belly for swordfish baits?

[@RikkiTikkiTavi290]

Good luck with the swords

[@blakew.5736]

I have never seen a mahi that cooperative in my life.

[@samsite83]

I have to try that skin trick on norwegian fish :D

[@garysmeltzer1933]

Yeah they really good eating

[@wps1150]

What is etiquette for using spot lock at FAD, obviously don’t park next to it but how many meters away?

[@SammyHitzkeFishing]

Gotta kinda play that one by ear mate. Gauge what’s going on and just make a call on the day. Probably just start drifting through with them 🤷‍♂️

[@nikhayes3396]

Is it proper etiquette to pull your boat between a fad and another boat?

[@thegrouperking]

Do they sell those fish bags in the usa

[@timothyyarborough5338]

What reel is that with when shark attacked no disrespect real sounds like it's grinding bad

[@stevemcatee5700]

Sammy: If you leave the small school dolphin in the water on the line, you can catch the whole school! sm

[@chrisholt5001]

10 years ago i used troll them out back get big dogtooh tuna at swains reef dolphin fish get smashed just so ya know great video be safe out there

[@matt1653]

FADs can be a real pain to fish sometimes. Fish shut down when there's a few boats on it. And if spearos jump in then you have no chance

[@anthonyleavey7514]

Wish these were accessible in areas north of Fraser Island

[@mashoo8413]

Can tell you right now that some of Caboolture finest blue bags will be filled with other type of ice 😉

[@shaunreid2026]

Was this on the Gold coast Sammy?

[@stevemcatee5700]

When fishing in Florida we generally leave the first school dolphin in the water and catch the entire school. Schools of huge dolphin in the mid Atlantic and Africa are incredible! Hundreds and thousands of massive bulls and their females as far as you can see. sm

[@SammyHitzkeFishing]

Yeah that works over here as well sometimes! Wasn’t on this day unfortunately though 😔

[@moebz]

Doesn’t surprise me that you got the ice from Caboolture, I think it’s a big seller over that way 😂

[@SammyHitzkeFishing]

😂😂😂

[@jordangrant6219]

2 words (or is it one word?) - Baitrunner Live or dead bait, the dolly can run till you set your circle hook then bam, you're on!

[@garysmeltzer1933]

What you need Sammy is a fishin buddy I’m always available LOL

[@SammyHitzkeFishing]

😂😂 thanks mate, appreciate the offer 👌👌💪💪

[@brettellis1837]

PISS EASY IF YA HAVE A PSE BOW. a pool noodle with white icecream container cut up with ally cooking foil stuck on noodle plus ping pong balls tied offand same deal foil shiny side out. feed out with rope good meter from fad drift out from fad feed rope out on noodle good 45m then pull rope in slow towards boat 3m out up the bigger ones with bow.

[@tristanwood2512]

Where you get your boots mate

[@SammyHitzkeFishing]

I got them online from overseas mate 👍👍

[@grantrudlin1267]

Is this in Noosa?

[@victorialightfoot4314]

Is the 130 yammy better than the Suzi?

[@SammyHitzkeFishing]

I’m getting better performance out of the 130 with its prop at the moment mate. But everyone has their own opinions 👍

[@brendonschutte2725]

Got my first one about the same day here in south africa.. in total 2 5kg and one 12kg

[@SammyHitzkeFishing]

Nice one mate!! 🍻🍻

[@6millionways150]

they'll be much better quality eating if they go straight into a salt flake ice slurry . strange that no one uses it in australia

[@Bluewater-fever]

I was seriously going to say in your last video that you should do a fad sesh

[@erroldavis2983]

I am surprised that you didn’t seem to know to free spool when a shark is on your catch

[@jasecahill-burchill7429]

I wish they put FADS in cairns

[@JoshuaFrench-mb5fv]

Where about are these fads your fishing?

[@Mcnutsackpro]

Sammy’s a couple Billy’s deep

[@ethanskinner1002]

What is an FAD?

[@fyeahfood6645]

Stop..... Sammy time!!!!!

[@jedtaylor3551]

Always look forward to the "filet porn" sound track

[@droneqld]

I can't believe you remained calm when that idiot drove right through the school of Mahi Mahi at the FAD. Maybe you turned off the camera to fire a couple of flares at him and yell some abuse. FFS those jerks are everywhere.

[@vaughansadventures6690]

Why did you call the fish a him wen it’s a her 😅😅😅😅

[@funchysfishing5612]

Sammy I love your vids but please, please move your mic a little further away so we don’t hear you panting all day? Every vid it’s all I hear Other than that, can’t fault what you do mate 👍👍👍👍👍

[@oliviarawlings1514]

Either the sound of the wind ripping through or a bit of breath can definitely tell ya what I would prefer, and you can literally hear the sound of the water over him breathing tf is your problem

[@funchysfishing5612]

@@oliviarawlings1514 I thought my problem was outlined in my comment. Perhaps you need to read it again?

[@brap69]

Good catch...Are fads everywhere or just one place? How far off shore are these Goldcoast if I go straight out behind the spit ?

[@russ1185]

Nothing shuts down a fad quicker then when someone pulls up right on the fad.

[@jase4270]

dFAD Fishing should be banned its the most awful way to fish and should be illegal