Chasing Chrome on Frazer Island
When it comes to raw, land-based adrenaline, few places test a fisho’s mettle like the rugged shores of K’gari (Fraser Island). In October 2025, Black Magic Tackle Ambassador Leon McClymont and friends in the Living Free Fishing crew traded the mainland for the sand, embarking on a high-stakes mission to wrangle pelagics from the rocks.
The Run North
The adventure starts long before the first cast. Navigating K’gari is a chess match against the Pacific; timing the tides at Inskip Point is critical. Push it too hard on an incoming tide and you’re staring down steep gutters and soft sand with nowhere to hide from the waves. After a 90-minute beach burn north to Orchid Beach, camp was struck, and the heavy tackle was prepped.
Battle on the Ledge: The Waddy Point Brawl
Under the cover of darkness, the team hit Waddy Point. The game plan? High-speed spinning with 80gm metal lures.
The session started hot with quality Tailor smashing lures on the first few drops. But then, the drag screamed. This wasn't a Tailor. A heavy-hitting pelagic had intercepted the metal, putting the 50lb mainline and 60lb Black Magic shock leader to the ultimate test.
Through the salt spray and surging swell, a solid Giant Trevally (GT) surfaced. Landing a beast like this on bare feet across barnacle-encrusted rocks is a recipe for carnage. After a frantic game of cat-and-mouse—including free-spooling the fish as it darted behind rock ledges— I made my move.
As a massive set surged over the ledge, I lunged for a tail-grab. The GT’s razor-sharp scutes did their damage, slicing my hand, but he held on. Despite the chaos of being washed into a rockpool together, I managed to secure the GT prize.
While the deep-hooked fish didn't make it for a release, it didn't go to waste, providing a fresh feast for the whole camp that night.
Round Two: The One That Got Away
The following morning delivered a sense of déjà vu. After weeding through more Tailor, a genuine monster GT —estimated at 20kg+—stepped up to the plate. I sight-casted to the brute and watched it chase and inhale the lure in a heart-stopping surface strike. The battle was short, sharp, and brutal, ending with a pulled hook that left the crew and myself breathless.
Dusk in the Gutters
To round out the trip, the Living-Free-Fishing team pivoted to classic beach fishing. Trading the heavy spin gear for an Alvey reel and 25lb mono, they targeted the gutters north of Indian Head. Using a simple but deadly rig—Black Magic 40lb Supple Trace and ganged hooks—it took less than an hour to bag out on prime Tailor as the sun dipped below the dunes.
K’gari remains a land-based paradise, but as this trip proved, it demands respect, preparation, and some seriously tough gear.
.jpg)