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General Information
Size:
2kg - 40kg. can reach up to 54kg.
Habitat:
Yellowtail Kingfish are an oceanic surface fish congregating over inshore reefs, around rocky headlands, deepwater jetties and channel markers as well as offshore over ocean rocks, offshore reefs and around islands. They inhabit the coastal waters of Australia's southern shores from south Qld. to the mid-coast of W.A., including north Tas. Kingfish are particularly abundant along the eastern seaboard. They prefer turbulent water and tidal rips and have known to school up over sharp pinnacles of reef, around wharf pylons, bomboras and rocky headlands. They appear during the warmer months of summer and autumn and can be found lurking under schools of slimy mackerel in large bays and estuaries during autumn. Qualities:
Well regarded light tackle sportfish. They are a tough fighter, fast and rugged and are renowned for powerful deep diving runs to reefy areas once striked.
Record:
Australian record 47.25kg.
Best Bait:
Dead, live, strip or cube baits such as slimy mackerel, yakkas, pike, garfish, mullet, squid, cuttlefish, octopus, prawn, bonito, whiting. High speed lures for trolling and spinning such as plastic squid, red and white feathers, Rapala minnows and surface poppers. Jigged lures such as
plastic squid and weighted feathers. Saltwater Flies such as Clousers and Deceivers.
Tackle:
Line: 10kg main line with 3m of double line followed by a 20kg 2m monotrace.
Hook: 6/0 - 10/0 Mustad 9175.
Rig: Rod should have high speed guides and tips. Bait is
suspended under a float (balloon) at about 2m depth. A 100 -150g running sinker can lower the bait to deeper water if required. Trolling and Lure rig. Fly gear.
Hints:
Kingfish can be moody so try a variety of retrieves and lure types. When surface fishing allow the fish to run for 20m before striking but if deep fishing a fast sure strike is best. Trolling whole fish baits can be productive. When fish are found in schools try a slow trolling technique through the school using small whole fish or fish strips. Suspending live
baitfish under a big float or balloon is a successful technique from headlands or jetties. Berley of chopped fish and tuna oil works well. Best eating fish are less than 8kg., release larger fish. Smaller fish (7 - 10kg) form large schools whereas the larger fish become loners.
Fly technique
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