The ocean is a big place, and fish are not placed evenly through out it. The fish are always somewhere for a reason, and the biggest reasons are food and shelter! The bigger fish that we target are more concerned with the food.

Most probably, the big fish are where the food is. The food fish is somewhere it feels safe, and can get a feed. Under water structure, formed by the corals of the reef, provides a hiding place and food for small fish. Predators hang out at these places, waiting their chance to get these fish.

Local current lines form within the reef, caused by winds, tide and who knows what else. Small fish are susceptible to these currents, and can get carried away from shelter. Our predators are looking for the chance to pick these fish off. Fishing along the current line, especially running with it, is a good place to be.

Bait fish that are trapped out in the open areas usually congregate together. There is some safety in numbers. It gives you a 1/1,000,000 chance of getting eaten, then 1/999,999, 999,998, 999,997, 999,996, 999,995.....

The predatory fish like to round them up, and then pick them off one by one at the edge of the school.

Larger, open water, semi-permanent currents, also exert a huge influence on the reef. These currents change with the seasons, but are around the same place, at the same time each year. These currents transport large schools of bait fish, with predators in toe.

Specifically to our Coral Sea reefs, is an effect called an up welling. Nutrient rich water rises from the deeper levels and up to the surface of the reef. This is how the reefs can support such a large amount of life.

The nutrient rich waters provide ideal feeding for small bait fish. In the open water they are easy targets for our predators. Their colouring helps to hide them, and once again there is safety in numbers.

Its an ideal place to find predatory fish.

The other way to find fish is by watching the local bird life. The birds live off the small fish, and the scraps caused by our pelagic fish feeding. Heaps of fish boiling on the surface, with birds diving into the water is an obvious sign of fish.

Birds hovering near the surface, and looking down into the water, are probably watching and following fish.

Birds flying close to the surface, but going somewhere fast, have generally located something from a high vantage. Look ahead of their heading, you may see something going on in the distance.

So while trolling, remember to look for coral structure (a sounder helps) or in clear water just by looking into it.

Keep an eye on the water surface, looking for differences in the water that indicate a current line. Smoother or more ruffled patches, maybe a line of flotsam being pulled along by the current.

Keep your eyes on the birds; see if they are providing any clues.

Consult your charts of the area and local knowledge.

Just don't forget to look where you are going!