Luconia Shoals Fishing Gear Guide: What Rods, Reels, Jigs & Tackle to Bring

A multi-day fishing trip to the Luconia Shoals is not a trip where one heavy setup does everything.

During the same liveaboard, you may be light jigging over shallow reefs for coral trout in the day, fast jigging for tuna in the middle of the night, casting sinking minnows under the boat lights, working 300–600g slow-fall jigs in more than 200m of water, or dropping a 1–2kg sinker with an electric reel for deep bottom fishing.

That variety is part of what makes Luconia special — but it also makes tackle preparation confusing for first-timers.

This guide is based on our experience fishing the Luconia Shoals from Bintulu and Miri and is intended as a general preparation guide for Luconia liveaboard trips, regardless of the specific boat being used.

Conditions vary between trips, and the captain or fishing guide should always have the final say on where and how the group fishes. Current, wind, depth and fish activity can change quickly, so bring enough range in your tackle rather than preparing for one exact scenario.

The Short Version: The Five Main Setups

For most anglers, think about Luconia fishing as five main applications:

You do not necessarily need to fish all five.

A first-timer who wants a balanced trip can concentrate on the first two, add an electric reel for serious bottom fishing and bring a popping outfit only if surface casting interests you.

1. Reef Light Jigging: One of the Most Important Setups to Bring

If coral trout is one of your target species, do not overlook light jigging.

Much of the daytime fishing around suitable reef areas involves drifting across reef structure and working relatively compact jigs near the bottom.

Recommended Setup

The important point is not to become obsessed with one jig weight.

On a comfortable drift, 100–120g may be ideal. When the wind or current increases, stepping up to 150g or even around 180g can help keep the jig working closer to vertical.

Small-Profile Jigs Work Exceptionally Well Here

This is one point we particularly want anglers to take note of.

Luconia reef fish often respond very well to relatively small-profile jigs.

A heavy jig does not have to be physically long.

For coral trout, groupers, jobfish, emperors and other reef species, we generally favour a compact jig profile that gets down efficiently while still presenting a smaller meal.

Long, aggressive speed jigs can catch fish, but they are not necessarily the first choice for reef fishing. Compact jigs often give a more suitable presentation close to structure.

PPFA tackle suggestions:

[LINK: Pure Passion Hot Dog Jig]
[LINK: Kohaku G-String X8 / Onyx 9X Braid]
[LINK: Daruma Shock Leader]
[LINK: Assist Hooks]
[LINK: JK Split Rings]

Our Hot Dog is particularly relevant for this application because of its compact profile. Carry several weights rather than relying on only one.

How to Fish It

The important zone for coral trout is normally around the reef rather than unnecessarily jigging all the way to the surface.

Get the jig down, reach the bottom of the reef and work the lower part of the water column, usually 10-15 metres. Depending on conditions and fish behaviour, this can mean short lifts, moderate jigging strokes or a slower fluttering presentation.

Be prepared for the strike to come very close to structure.

That means drag setting and reaction time matter. A good sized coral trout can dive back into the reef surprisingly quickly.

2. Night Jigging for Yellowfin, Dogtooth and Other Pelagics

The character of the fishing changes after dark.

The boat will commonly anchor at the night fishing ground. Boat lights attract bait, which can in turn attract tuna and other predators into the surrounding water column.

Rather than automatically dropping all the way to the bottom, pay attention to the sounder and the depth where fish are actually being marked or hooked.

A common approach is to drop a jig to around 80–100m and work it upwards towards approximately 40–50m, adjusting the depth according to where fish are showing and where other anglers are getting bites.

Recommended Night Jigging Setup

This is also why we regard a PE2–3 outfit as possibly the most versatile manual setup you can bring to Luconia.

The same outfit can handle daytime reef jigging and then move into night tuna jigging.

The trade-off is obvious: if a large yellowfin or other powerful fish takes the jig, lighter tackle demands more finnese from the angler. Good drag control, patience and knowing how to move around other anglers become important.

Match the Size of the Bait

Do not assume that a big tuna requires a huge jig.

Tuna and other pelagics can be feeding on relatively small bait, so compact jigs in the 100–150g range can be extremely effective.

Again, small profile matters.

PPFA tackle suggestions:

[LINK: Pure Passion Hot Dog Jig]
[LINK: Kohaku G-String X8 / Onyx 9X Braid]
[LINK: Daruma Shock Leader]
[LINK: Assist Hooks]

3. Don't Want to Jig All Night? Cast a Sinking Minnow

This is one of our favourite alternatives when pelagics are feeding around the boat at night.

Instead of repeatedly jigging vertically, cast a sinking minnow or pintail-style lure away from the illuminated area, allow it to sink to the required depth and retrieve it back through the strike zone.

This can be considerably less tiring than continuous fast jigging.

Recommended Sinking Minnow Setup

Bring several weights to deal with different conditions:

• 40g
• 60g
• 80g

The appropriate weight depends on current, casting distance and the depth at which the fish are feeding.

PPFA tackle suggestions:

[LINK: Pure Passion Sinking Minnow 40g]
[LINK: Pure Passion Sinking Minnow 60g]
[LINK: Pure Passion Sinking Minnow 80g]

4. Deep Slow-Fall Jigging: 300–600g Is a Different Game

Deep jigging should be treated as a separate application from normal reef jigging.

When the boat moves to deeper marks — sometimes 200m or more — anglers may target species such as Red Ruby and Eightbar Grouper.

Recommended Deep-Jigging Setup

When current is manageable, 300–400g may be enough.

When it starts running hard, however, 500–600g may be necessary simply to reach and maintain contact with the fishing zone.

Do You Really Need This Setup?

Not necessarily.

Heavy manual jigging in 200m+ of water is physically demanding, and retrieving a 500–600g jig repeatedly is not everybody's idea of a holiday.

If you enjoy this style of fishing, prepare properly.

If not, there is nothing wrong with using an electric reel for the deep-water sessions — or simply sitting that session out, having a meal and getting some rest before the next night bite.

A multi-day liveaboard is a marathon, not a sprint.

PPFA tackle suggestions:

[LINK: Pure Passion LP Ball 300g]
[LINK: Pure Passion LP Ball 400g]
[LINK: Pure Passion LP Ball 500g]
[LINK: Heavy Hauler]
[LINK: Kohaku G-String X8 / Onyx 9X Braid]
[LINK: Daruma Shock Leader]

5. Deep Bottom Fishing: Bring an Electric Reel if You're Serious About It

For serious bottom fishing at Luconia, we strongly recommend an electric reel.

Yes, it can be done manually.

But when the water is 150–200m deep or more and the sinker weighs 1kg, 1.5kg or even 2kg, winding everything back to the surface repeatedly becomes very hard work.

Heavy electric reels such as the Shimano BeastMaster MD 6000 or Daiwa Seaborg 800MJ class are examples of the type of capacity and power suited to this style of fishing.

Recommended Bottom Setup

Why Such a Huge Sinker Range?

Because there is a major difference between fishing shallower ground in manageable current and holding bottom in deep water with strong current.

For smaller sinkers, we recommend anglers prepare their own before boarding.

Useful sizes include approximately:

For genuinely heavy bottom fishing, boats operating this style of Luconia trip commonly carry heavy sinkers.

On most East Malaysia trips, assorted 1kg, 1.5kg and 2kg sinkers may be available onboard on a pay-as-used/lost basis, but this should always be confirmed for the individual trip because arrangements differ between vessels.

For lighter sinkers such as 200g, 300g and 500g, it is best to prepare your own or purchase them from a local tackle shop before boarding.

6. Bottom Rigs and Bait

Keep the rig relatively simple.

For most applications we favour a one-hook or two-hook Apollo rig.

Common Bottom Rig Options

There is no need to become overly fixated on one particular hook pattern.

Large circle hooks, octopus hooks and conventional J-hooks can all work.

The more important considerations are adequate strength and size.

We recommend starting at approximately 6/0 or larger, depending on the bait and target.

A secondary gang hook may also be used for certain bait presentations.

PPFA tackle suggestions:

[LINK: Octopus Hooks]
[LINK: Heavy Leader]
[LINK: Pliers]
[LINK: Scissors]

7. Frozen Bait and Preparing Your Own Bait

Most boats carry frozen bait such as sardine or tongkol/bonito.

Deckhands may help anglers cut and rig bait, but there is an important lesson for experienced anglers:

Learn how you want your own bait prepared.

Different anglers have different preferences regarding bait size, hook placement, strip bait versus whole fish and how streamlined the bait should be.

Crew experience also varies from boat to boat.

If you are particular about your bait presentation, prepare and hook it yourself.

A decent pair of fishing scissors and pliers is therefore more useful than many people realise.

PPFA tackle suggestions:

[LINK: PPFA Fishing Pliers]
[LINK: PPFA Fishing Scissors]

8. Catching Fresh Bait and Rocket Squid

Fresh bait opportunities can appear around the boat, especially at night when baitfish and squid gather around the lights.

Small baitfish can be caught using sabiki rigs or small jigs.

It is also worth bringing a light spinning or eging setup with a few squid jigs (egi). Rocket squid and other squid may appear around the boat lights, and live squid are among the best baits you can get offshore. Even freshly dead squid can be extremely effective and is often preferred over older frozen bait when available.

Simple Squid Setup

Cast around the edge of the boat lights, allow the egi to sink and work it back with a few lifts followed by pauses.

Not every liveaboard has a proper live-bait well, so if you catch fresh squid or baitfish, you may need to use them immediately.

A small personal bait kit is useful:

• Sabiki rigs
• Small jigs
• A few #2.5–3.5 egi
• Small sinkers
• Light leader
• Fishing scissors
• Pliers
• UV torch

9. Popping for Yellowfin Tuna and GT

A popping setup is optional — but very worthwhile if this style of fishing interests you.

Around dawn, yellowfin may begin feeding aggressively near the surface. When conditions come together, this can provide some of the most exciting fishing of the entire trip.

Poppers and stickbaits can also be used for GT when the boat is drifting suitable shallower reef areas.

Recommended Popping Setup

Your individual setup should still match your physical ability. Heavy popping tackle becomes tiring quickly if you are not accustomed to it.

Do You Need to Bring One?

If you enjoy popping: yes, bring it.

If you have no interest in repeatedly casting a heavy lure, do not bring an entire outfit simply because somebody says you “must” pop at Luconia.

Use that luggage allowance for tackle you will actually fish.

PPFA tackle suggestions:

[LINK: Pure Passion Poppers]
[LINK: JK Heavy Split Rings]
[LINK: Daruma Heavy Leader]

10. Wire Leader: Bring It, But Don't Automatically Use It

Luconia is also home to toothy species.

Barracuda, Tenggiri, Blackbelt/Baracouta-type fish and other sharp-toothed predators can make very quick work of mono or fluorocarbon.

A short wire trace can greatly reduce bite-offs.

There is a trade-off, however.

Wire changes the presentation of the jig, lure or bait and may reduce bites in some situations.

Our preference is therefore:

Start without wire where appropriate.

If toothy fish are repeatedly cutting anglers off, then adding a short section of wire becomes a sensible compromise.

11. Don't Bring Only One Weight of Jig

One of the easiest mistakes to make before a Luconia trip is looking at the depth and deciding:

“100m = I need X grams.”

It isn't that simple.

Your jig weight depends on:

• Water depth
• Current
• Wind
• Boat drift
• Braid diameter
• Jig profile
• How vertically you need to fish
• Target depth within the water column

For example, reef fishing may be excellent with a 100–120g jig on one day but require 150–180g when conditions deteriorate.

Likewise, a night jigging session that normally fishes comfortably at 120–180g could require 250–300g when the current picks up.

Practical Jig Weight Range

The solution isn't to bring 20 identical jigs.

Bring a sensible spread of weights and profiles.

Why Small-Profile Jigs Deserve Space in Your Tackle Box

If there is one lure lesson we would emphasise for Luconia, it is this:

Bigger Water Does Not Automatically Mean Bigger Jig

The reef fish frequently feed on relatively modest prey, and compact jigs can be extremely effective.

A smaller-profile jig offers several advantages:

This is why products such as the Pure Passion Hot Dog have a natural place in a Luconia tackle box.

[LINK: Pure Passion Hot Dog Jig]

How Many Rods Should You Actually Bring?

You could arrive with six complete setups.

That does not mean you should.

For many anglers, we would prioritise them like this:

Essential / Highest Priority: PE2–3 Versatile Jigging Setup

Use it for:

• Reef light jigging
• Night jigging
• Some sinking-minnow casting

This is arguably the most useful manual outfit of the trip.

Strongly Recommended: Heavy Electric Bottom Setup

Bring this if serious deep bottom fishing is part of your plan.

Recommended for Enthusiasts: PE3–4 Heavy Slow-Fall Setup

For deep-water manual jigging.

Optional: Dedicated Popping Outfit

Bring it if you genuinely intend to pop for tuna and GT.

There is no prize for having the most rods onboard.

Pace Yourself on a Multi-Day Liveaboard

This part is just as important as tackle preparation.

Luconia fishing can run around the clock.

You might reef jig during the day, fish for tuna throughout the night and then wake up for the dawn surface bite.

Trying to participate in every session for five or six consecutive days is a very effective way to turn yourself into a zombie.

Decide what matters most to you.

If coral trout is your priority, make sure you are awake for the reef sessions.

If tuna is your priority, you might deliberately sleep through part of the afternoon, and wake up at 3AM in the morning.

If you love bottom fishing, conserve energy and let the electric reel do the work.

You do not need to fish every minute to have a good Luconia trip.

Quick Luconia Setup Guide

Suggested Luconia Packing Checklist

Before boarding, check that you have:

• PE2–3 versatile jigging outfit with around 300m of braid
• 80–180g compact reef jigs
• 100–300g night jigging range
• 300–600g slow-fall jigs if deep manual jigging
• 40g / 60g / 80g sinking minnows or pintails
• Popping setup and lures if you intend to surface cast
• Electric-reel setup for serious bottom fishing
• PE6 / 80lb+ braid for heavy bottom fishing
• 150–200lb bottom-rig leader
• 6/0+ bottom hooks
• One-hook and two-hook Apollo rigs
• Optional ranggong / spreader rigs
• 200–500g personal sinkers
• Short wire traces for severe toothy-fish situations
• Spare assist hooks
• Spare split rings
• Spare braid and leader
• Sabiki rigs
• A few squid jigs if you want to catch fresh squid
• Pliers
• Scissors
• Jig bag / tackle storage

PPFA tackle collections:

[LINK: Shop PPFA Jigging Essentials]
[LINK: Shop PPFA Bottom Fishing Tackle]

Final Advice: Don't Overpack the Wrong Gear

If this is your first Luconia trip, the answer is not to buy the heaviest rod, largest reel and biggest jig you can find.

Prepare for different fishing situations.

If we had to simplify the entire guide into one starting point, it would be:

Bring a good PE2–3 jigging outfit, plenty of compact 100–200g jigs, heavier alternatives when current increases, and an electric reel if you plan to bottom fish seriously.

Then add the specialist setups that match the fishing you personally enjoy.

Luconia rewards versatility.

Some days the bite may be on a 100g compact jig over a reef. Several hours later you could be dropping a 500g jig into deep water. That night the fish may be 50m below the boat lights, and at sunrise they may suddenly appear on the surface.

Come prepared — but more importantly, listen to the captain, watch the sounder, watch what is getting bites and adapt.