My dad and I want to try our hand at catching some Mackeral. What do you do? I understand you have to troll for them… but we only hage a john boat so we have to go on a super calm day. Also, our boat not being seaworthy, we don’t want to go past nearshore reef. Can you catch them at the jetties/nearshore? Is live bait the only way or can you use lures? Would diving yo zuris and jigs work?
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
If you have a small boat you can always anchor up at the inlets and float live menhaden under balloons. Check out king fish rigs at local tackle shops. Stealth is the key. I wouldn’t worry with lures live bait is best. Put a bouy on your anchor rope if u hook a big king he will spool you… If you try to horse them up you’ll pull the hook or break them off.
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
I’m not an expert by any means,but I do catch a few kings within sight of the beach and around the nearshore reefs, 20’-35’. I always do the best in Sept.- early Nov. Alot of chum and menhaden oil, with menhaden under balloons or what ever else lively bait thats available. If you can make it to the nearshore reefs,usually bait can be caught pretty easy fishing on the bottom. I’ve had good luck with grunts,sailors choices,almost all the small bottom fish except blackfish. Hope this helps as a big king will make your heart race on his first run.
You can’t catch fish on a dry line
quote:
Originally posted by xxmadfirexx
If you have a small boat you can always anchor up at the inlets and float live menhaden under balloons. Check out king fish rigs at local tackle shops. Stealth is the key. I wouldn’t worry with lures live bait is best. Put a bouy on your anchor rope if u hook a big king he will spool you… If you try to horse them up you’ll pull the hook or break them off.
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
Thanks man!! We will use information!
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
quote:
Originally posted by Marsh-picker
I’m not an expert by any means,but I do catch a few kings within sight of the beach and around the nearshore reefs, 20’-35’. I always do the best in Sept.- early Nov. Alot of chum and menhaden oil, with menhaden under balloons or what ever else lively bait thats available. If you can make it to the nearshore reefs,usually bait can be caught pretty easy fishing on the bottom. I’ve had good luck with grunts,sailors choices,almost all the small bottom fish except blackfish. Hope this helps as a big king will make your heart race on his first run.
You can’t catch fish on a dry line
Thanks for the information headed out soon :smiley:
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
I like to troll cigar minnows behind a duster. I like pink and blue as well as chartreuse. However, I have had more luck on pink and blue. I either buy the rigs and modify them to run deeper or tie them myself. I used to use planers to get a few lines deeper and still do sometimes but my brother and I came up w a way to modify the rig so you do not need a planer. I am by no means an expert but more like a beginner when it comes to kings, and I have never fished for them in Charleston. I used to fish for them a fair bit down in Mexico Beach, FL and Steinhatchee, FL when in lived in south GA (Valdosta). The last time I went down to FL (Mexico Beach) we caught a couple of fish on the planer rigs and probably 35 on my homemade deal. We caught a few on the rigs w just the duster and nothing to get it down also. I have never used live bait under balloons but I know it will work. When I get my boat back from the shop I am going to try some 6+ inch hadens under a balloon. We also trolled stretch 30’s and for them and for grouper too. Caught a good bit of both on em. When I fished in FL I was always fishing w my friend and he was d**n good at finding the fish. Hopefully I will learn alot this year and I will be glad to share what I learn. Good luck to ya man!!
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
quote:
Originally posted by jimmyaadams
I like to troll cigar minnows behind a duster. I like pink and blue as well as chartreuse. However, I have had more luck on pink and blue. I either buy the rigs and modify them to run deeper or tie them myself. I used to use planers to get a few lines deeper and still do sometimes but my brother and I came up w a way to modify the rig so you do not need a planer. I am by no means an expert but more like a beginner when it comes to kings, and I have never fished for them in Charleston. I used to fish for them a fair bit down in Mexico Beach, FL and Steinhatchee, FL when in lived in south GA (Valdosta). The last time I went down to FL (Mexico Beach) we caught a couple of fish on the planer rigs and probably 35 on my homemade deal. We caught a few on the rigs w just the duster and nothing to get it down also. I have never used live bait under balloons but I know it will work. When I get my boat back from the shop I am going to try some 6+ inch hadens under a balloon. We also trolled stretch 30’s and for them and for grouper too. Caught a good bit of both on em. When I fished in FL I was always fishing w my friend and he was d**n good at finding the fish. Hopefully I will learn alot this year and I will be glad to share what I learn. Good luck to ya man!!
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
Thanks! Good luck to you!
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
jimmyadams gave you some good advice. They catch kings right out of the jetties all the way into the shipping lanes in charleston. just remember if you use cigars to troll around 3-5mph and make sure the baits run straight and don’t spin. Live bait will better your odds though.
17" War Eagle 25 Mercury
17" Boston Whaler Montauk 90 yamaha