I’ve got the King on the line

IT appears as if the Yellowtail Kingfish is one of the most sought-after fish in the sea. At least around Tasmania they seem to be a very high priority on fishers’ must catch lists. Nearly everyone I speak to has indicated that the capture of a King is a bucket list item.

For the educated, or those who have been lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, they will know these fish are pocket rockets. We’re not talking Lord Howe Island Kingfish here, like the 20kg models they get there – the average size for Tasmanian fish range from 2kg up to around the 5kg-6kg mark.

Kilo for kilo, these fish certainly do perform well on the end of any line.

Most of the fish I have seen caught recently appear to be in the 3kg range and are certainly a fish that, once hooked, will make their presence known.

For the uninitiated, they go and head for the nearest obstacle, which may be a jetty pylon, an anchor chain or a rocky bottom, all in a bid to get that line off and gain freedom.

While they are doing this, they are usually accompanied by many more of their mates, for they are a true schooling fish and it’s not uncommon to have a whole school around your boat when one is landed.

The common factor I have found, and from what others say, is the judicious use of berley which will often bring the fish to your feet.

Good baits are essential and when fired up, lures both metallic and hard plastic will get the job done.

Poppers are a useful tool in the arsenal as well.

Where to go? Just about any pontoon, wharf, jetty or boat in the right areas should also improve your chances, just keep in mind Kingfish love structures, that is, something to hide behind or under. Moored boats are a classic hidey-hole for Kings, as they can launch an attack on unsuspecting prey fish when the time arises.

I’d be trying a live bait rigged on a size 3/0 tuna circle hook suspended under a torpedo float and even better if the float has a reflective flasher on it.

The worst that can happen is a big calamari takes the bait and they too are a favourite food for Kings.

I saw a good picture of a 3kg Kingfish from a recent fishing clinic which was taken off the Coles Bay jetty, so that is a good spot as is Robbins Passage, off Montagu, in the North-West and right up around to Kangaroo Island, which are surrounded by reefs which all hold good Kingfish and usually larger specimens too.

Waterfall Bay in the South is a great spot and I suspect fish push bait schools up against rock faces to take advantage of them being unable to escape. Fishing right along this escarpment, and back towards Devils Kitchen, would be good for Kingfish (and tuna) especially when bait schools are prolific.

Places such as the Margate wharf and Woodbridge jetty have also all had Kingfish caught around them recently, so they too would be worth a visit.

We would love to see some good Kingfish pictures, if you have some you would like to share, send to readerspics@fishtas.com