This week’s cool spell will delay the kings coming in again; so don’t get too impatient. June is still the good month, also need to let the haden grow alittle more. Fishing always requires TOO MUCH patience…
what cool spell? The kings are hear have heard numerous reports of kings being caught within ten miles and off the beaches. Water temp is been constant at Fort Sumter at around the mid to low 70’s. The Menhaden might be small know but the kings are not picky eaters they don’t mind the size what I have experienced in the past. Cobia and reef donkeys eat them to at the reefs.
Sounds good; haven’t sen or heard any activity on the site. Any size to the kings being caught?
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
the spanish are here.the kings are with them.
Come on guys, who said the kings are with them, and how many, and how big? Sure there are some very scattered kings among the spanish, but these out of town guys who are posting don’t want to come to Charleston for a scatterd king which will probably be an 8-10 lb. schoolie. What does the term “thek kings are in” mean? My definition is 2-10 kings every trip, and 10-20 lb. average. Until that happens, and the haden are 6" long, I’m not interested. Anyone who is ok with small bait and small kings, “go for it”; that’s how we should report with specifics rather than just say they are here. I have made 2 offshore trips 30 miles both times, and wasted time and money, because the water temp was 63 and 65 degrees; with no bait and no fish, except blues ane little tunny, both cold water fish. My brother-in-law works on a pier in N. C.; and I can assure you those reports in N. C. are also “very scattered”. So, kingfishermen, take your choice of reports, very scattered, or “the kings are here”, and tight lines and best wishes to all…
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
that’s funny threw the cast net today caught several menhaden in the 4-6" range. I have never seen much of menhaden over the 7" length in Charleston. Just because people don’t post on this site don’t mean fish are not being caught. a lot of experienced king fisherman don’t even use this site they are tight lipped crew. I know the saying big bait big fish yes it is true but I have caught nice kings on small baits to you go with what you get mullet included. If I am not tourney fishing for big smokers and money I don’t care the size of king/fish just something to pull lines all fish included. that’s great about North Carolina this is a different state that’s why it’s called fishing not catching you don’t win every time out. You said it yourself you did catch fish just not what you are after be happy with that. Sorry you wasted your time and money fishing!! the two kings where 18-23lbs they where caught from a guy I know well. The only fish that I know that are not scattered right know is dolphinfish.
Yes, they are here and the manhaden as well with some size.
Hell, the biggest king we ever caught was on a double pogy rig with small bait.
oldschool
352 wellcraft
trip E-Tecs
Thanks, gdaddy for that honest report the fish are scatered now, and that is due to the weather, can we agree? 18-23 lbs. sounds good, also 4-6" haden sounds good; that type info is what the posters want to know; not just to say “the kings are in”. We are a long ways past the normal season for beginning kings to arrive, so it has been a late start to say the least. Team old school, the double pogey rig is a winner; most beginner kingfishermen don’t even know that exists. So, in short, experienced kingfishermen are catching some kings; which means the out-of-towners are out of luck right now. That’s what I was saying, Striperskiff stated he has only fished for kings 3 times. Are you going to tell him to try kingfishing this weekend? Much disappointment awaits him right now, and gdaddy said the experienced guys don’t post; so, these posts are intended for beginners and should be labeled as such. The experienced guys already know the report, because they have been fishing. I believe these guys are asking are the kings “thick” inshore enough to assure a rookie will catch some. That time is a few weeks away, so I was trying to be realistic for those guys to plan their trips most effectively. I feel certain I could catch 2-3 kings right now, after 27 years experience; but that’s not the fishermen who are asking if the kings are in on this site. Rookies hear these reports, come from Columbia or Charlotte; and catch no kings only to say somebody fed me a line about the kings being here, just like calling the pier and being told come on down, than arrive to be told you should have been here yesterday. Even 2-3 kings don’t get me excited enough to come from Charlotte to fish this early…
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
So what you are still saying is there are no kings here our close in range for you and that 3-4 fish don’t temp you any time? How much are you after the only large amount of kings you are going to catch in mass is snakes around here. Smoker kings if you are lucky you might catch 2 a season if your lucky. the James Island Yacht club tournament that has been fished for years at the same date in early May every year is a waste of every ones time in your view? That’s a laugh its a great tourney with a great turnout they put on a hang good show. That’s funny it was not fished last year due to weather but I am sure you found that out on there web site. The king that won two years ago was in the mid-twenties. The so called out of townees like you that want to fish can still come and fish but right know they wont catch 10 plus kings no one will at any month not with luck. But there is always a chance like I said before that’s why they call it fishing not catching. I’ll see ya next week at the meeting ready to king fish on May 23 with every other so called beginner and novice in your eyes. The double rig is on the back of wire packages and ask any one who works at a tackle shop and they will show you that’s basic stuff.
So what you are still saying is there are no kings here our close in range for you and that 3-4 fish don’t temp you any time? How much are you after the only large amount of kings you are going to catch in mass is snakes around here. Smoker kings if you are lucky you might catch 2 a season if your lucky. the James Island Yacht club tournament that has been fished for years at the same date in early May every year is a waste of every ones time in your view? That’s a laugh its a great tourney with a great turnout they put on a hang good show. That’s funny it was not fished last year due to weather but I am sure you found that out on there web site. The king that won two years ago was in the mid-twenties. The so called out of townees like you that want to fish can still come and fish but right know they wont catch 10 plus kings no one will at any month not with luck. But there is always a chance like I said before that’s why they call it fishing not catching. I’ll see ya next week at the meeting ready to king fish on May 23 with every other so called beginner and novice in your eyes. The double rig is on the back of wire packages and ask any one who works at a tackle shop and they will show you that’s basic stuff.
My advice is to get out and give it a try as soon as this wind lays down. You won’t catch anything sitting at home waiting. I wouldn’t call myself an expert but I’ve been catching kings for 30 years and have fished them competitively in NC before moving here and to think you might be wasting your time in the middle of May with the spanish, blues and menhaden as thick as they are right outside the inlets now is total BS. I do understand what MDaddy is saying for those beginners and increasing their odds by coming down later, but I’d say get out and start dragging some bait whenever you can. Mark live bottom or structure on the bottom and work that area. I’d pull standard King rigs with Pogies in the morning and then as the day warms up, put em on the downrigger. One about 20ft and the other about 40 ft. and get your camera ready.
Rick
Kencraft Challenger
“Dirty Money”
To: gdaddy,team old school, and ecu; OK guys, let’s straighten this mess out. Poster’s on this site are complaining every day about being misinterpreted, misquoted, misunderstood, etc. Her we go again: 1. I explained very clearly I was not referring to experienced kingfishermen, but I was referring to tprice in Anderson, and striperskiff in Columbia who asked if the kings are being caught inshore yet, my reply was the cool weather has delayed the kings coming in until june. This is an opinion forum, not right or wrong forum, opinions will be right to me and wrong to you, and vice versa. gdaddy said “what cool spell?” temps don’t lie, so no need to argue that point. 2. Then, I asked what does the term “kings are in” mean; my opinion was you could catch 2-10 per trip, gdaddy said I said 10+. I said most kings now would be 8-10 lb. schoolies, gdaddy said I referred to not catching smokers, when I said 10-20lb. kings. Isaid the haden need to grow some more, gdaddy said 4-6" is good, team old school said his biggest king was caught on small pogies on a double rig, I have only talked about the number of kings of average size a beginner could expect to catch, not large or smoker kings. I have only talked about king mackerel, and this is a km forum, but gdaddy said he doesn’t care what species he catches, that’s off the subject, but still an opinion which should be honored as good also. Since this is a km forum, let’s please keep the subject to km. 3. I said 2-10 kings 10-20 lbs. 6" haden is expecting too much this early, to that gdaddy said I said, quote "you are saying there are no kings in close , {Isaid I could cath 1-2now}, he said 3-4 kings don’t tempt you anytime, I said 2-3 don’t tempt me this early in the season, he said I said 10+ kings, I said 2-10 kings. I never got an answer to what “the kings are in” means to you guys, I think we all know the answer anyway, ecu said my comment “waste of time and money” this early was “BS”. Out of towners, striperskiff and tprice in particular since the post
I thought I acknowledged your point pretty well. I also think you are painting anyone that has ever fished a King Tournament with a pretty broad paintbrush (stereotyping). You are right some of those cats are die hards and take it way to serious, I am not like that at all. I like to put my young teenage boys on the fish and nothing more. Everything is cool!
PS. Your cub should welcome anyone who wants to join it. That would be the most beneficial thing for all members. It’s called diversity and is a great way to learn. Good luck to you when the “water gets warmer”.
Rick
Kencraft Challenger
“Dirty Money”
Thanks, you are right on all counts, I’m just a victim of past circumstances thta should not cause me to be so prejudiced. However, I have seen the inevitable, and thought I could avoid it. Silly thinking on my part, thanks for being so honest, and so caring as to not throw stones. That’s what I hoped would be the outcome of this experience, not right or wrong, just understanding and concern…I fished on a Kencraft boat once and loved it, how’s yours?
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
I just sold it and think I made a mistake. I am looking for a 27 Fountain…I know how they ride and all that but, I have always wanted one and they just really look good to me and the kids want one so i’m going to do it. I plan on naming it “Panty Snatcher”.
Rick
ECU1984,
Fixing to put my boat for sale if interested in a 27 Contender it has been tournament fished but never have been big on beating a boat to death for a 20 pound fish.Probably price it in low 40"s and reason for selling is down sizing to a 21 Contender usually just me byself or one more now so no need for it anymore.
Sorry had to throw the picture in to get MDaddy blood pumping 
it want be long now good luck to all this year and if I can ever help anyone or answer a question don"t hesitate to ask by no means not a novice just get luck every once in a while.
Team Old School is the novice.
Kirk
Team K=Factor
27 Contender/Yamaha OX66 250’s
Bad ASS picture:smiley:
Sea Pro 210cc
Yamaha 200 4 Stroke
Dodge 1500 4x4 HEMI
Lucky,
That is a great shot and I will keep that in mind. I promised the wife I’d knock out a couple of small projects for her around the house before I get the boat and I am almost done. You are in my price range and I am very familar with the 27 Contender. What power do you have on the back of it?
Rick