5 Things About Targeting Big Kingfish

Over the years I've learned the Big Kings are on the prowl just after sunrise! They'll be aggressive and feed for several hours. Sure you can catch Kingfish any time of day, but the brutes are more likely to hit early. Get your gear ready the day before and clear those jetties when the rooster crows...

I like to use a tandem hook rig, with a small 4x live bait hook in front and 4x treble trailing. Hardtails in the Gulf are a strong, hardy bait that can handle the livewell for long periods. Bridle them up and bump them around the outside edges of the structure your fishing! They can be found well away from the main structure.

Try the water column between 10 to 30 ft... that's a good start. You can combine bumping a couple of baits near the surface with your deeper baits on the downriggers.

Take the leftover bait you froze from the last trip, cut them in chunks, and get the Kings fired up and ready to rumble! Might even try the old chum churn, give it a thrashing motion under the surface of the water...

When you've gone to the expense, time and a considerable bit of work to get you and your buddies to the fishing grounds > Use good stout tackle so when you hook that 53 pound, sure enough "Pond Monster", you can get it to the boat!