How to Catch Kingfish (Tips Bait Gear Explained)

Rodney Marquez states " Slow trolling a variety of live baits over offshore structures and contours is standard procedure for anglers chasing the hard-hitting kingfish. The summer also finds the kingfish following clean water and large bait pods into coastal areas where both tournament and casual anglers chase these fun-to-catch fish.

Part of what makes them so fun is the fact that the king is a ferocious predator and often the strikes are very close to the boat if not airborne. A blazing run upon being hooked is followed by sporadic short bursts of speed. Soft-tipped rods are common to act as a shock absorber against pulled hooks which are common when using the small trebles preferred in this fishery. The #4 or #6 trebles, in a tandem stinger rig are often fished on single strand stainless wire or light braided wire leaders. Light drag pressures are a must and therefore any reel in the 20# class range with a quick gear ratio is perfect for kingfishing, but you need to have plenty of line capacity as the Florida State record for kingfish is 90-pounds. "

For more of the article click here:

Reel used in this video: Valiant 600

Recommended gear
Braided line: 50 lb
Top shot leader: 20-30 lb mono / fluoro

This video was filmed off the shore of Port Canaveral Florida. Guided the fishing expedition was Captain Scott Goodwin of BD Outdoors.

For more how to tips from BD outdoors click here:

Filmed & edited by:
Rodney Marquez
Website:

[bdoutdoorsdotcom-mp]

Thanks Captain Scott for a great time on the water!


- Rodney

[MikePatton-icif]

Perfect! Just read the June report, and only had 4 minutes before work. Thank you!

[zakwhite]

I was Kayak Fishing about 1/2 mile from shore at Mustang Island, Tx. Twide I got my line chewed off. I am new to Gulf fishing, but after asking people said it was definately Kingfish. I didn't have steel leader line unfortunately. What a thril. I will be back with the right gear at the end of this month.

[adamsfishingchannel]

Nice vid Rodney! Those fish are awesome!

[masdasdasdad]

Thanks for the video. What depth is it okay to cast live bait without a sinker?

[finnsnracks]

do you have a video for how you gather the net?

[Fuskymonkey]

I love the structure of the video, but I think the gear specs were a little vague. You said “big spool big crank” but didn’t specify what size reel or drag strength. I saw a spinning reel in the background when you recommended your conventional reel. What size would you recommend? There are huge differences between 4-8K spinning reels as well as conventionals. Rod rigidity and action wasn’t elaborated either

[Terryray]

Did you eat the heart of your frist one?

[loudwirefarm]

You guys was on that ohio shoal huh? lol

[toaluasaleupolu]

That is not king fish and you can't use 20lbs leader to catch them

[boburwell]

Your speed trolling can help you catch him not them

[Ozzierob]

That’s not a king fish that’s just a mackerel. Kingfish in the rest of the world are a completely different species such as a yellowtail kingfish