If there was one fish known for its extreme power and aggressiveness, it is the Giant Trevally (GT). These traits make this predatory fish highly prized by avid fishermen, especially in the fly-fishing Industry. Fly-fishing on the Outer Islands of Seychelles has been described as out of this world, where large specimens of GTs are often caught. It is the largest fish in the genus Caranx, growing to a maximum known size of 170 cm (67 in) and a weight of 80 kg (176 lbs).
Recently, these fish became even more popular as reports started emerging of them leaping out of the water to catch birds in mid-flight. Although seeming quite farfetched, a filming crew that were searching for extraordinary footage for the natural history series, Blue Planet II, decided to fly to Seychelles to investigate this previously unheard-of phenomenon further. What the crew witnessed next was described as “astounding”.
Series producer, James Honeyborne, said, ‘It’s one thing seeing a fish flying through the air, that’s unexpected enough, but then seeing a fish flying through the air and catching a bird in its mouth, wow… yep – a bird-eating fish”. Mr. Harborne went on to describe how the GTs would calculate the predicted flight path of the birds, before intercepting and eating its meal in one impressive gulp.
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