How far out do i need to be to get some action with the kings? I have a little 15foot scout that can’t get way out there. I just bought a cheap little downrigger also. What type of lure do I want to troll, how deep? Any suggestions on where and how? I’m a beginner. Thanks.
Adam Bedenbaugh
I hear you can troll the channel inbetween the jetties. Thats not to far out on a nice day
20’ Pro Line - 150 mer
Go to the tackle shop and buy a bunch of Mann’s Stretch25+'s or Stretch30+‘s. Rig them with 3-4 foot long single strand cable to keep the kings from cutting them off, and troll them behind the boat at 6-8mph. You do not need to put them on a downrigger.
This will work close to shore when the water is warmer- like late summer. Otherwise, you will want to be over any wrecks or live bottom in 40-90’.
The Manns diving plugs are cheap @ 7 or 8 bucks each, and they will get down to where the fish are without having to fool with planners or downriggers. The speed of the boat hooks the fish for you so long as you have strike drag set at 5 or 6 pounds of pressure.
The bigger kings are usually caught using big live bait… that is for the tournament guys to mess with though. You will have to go with someone who does that a good bit to learn all the tricks. It is a different style of fishing.
Luke 8:22-25
“Miss Phin” Aquasport Osprey 170 w/Johnson 90
i have caught some nice one out past the jettys useing live bait
look for manhadden the bigger the better slow troll them with stinger riggs you can use small skirts if you want or not. also remenber to keep bait alive longer and more frisky 1 gallon per fish
(10 gallon bait tank 10 manhadden 20 gallon tank 20 manhadden) keep a close eye on the weather the jettys can get real nasty. slow trolling means just enough speed to keep forward progress (2 to 3 mph) any faster and you will kill the bait. pick a nice day and have fun
QUIET TIME
218 SAILFISH
200HPDI
thanks guys for the info!
Adam
Or…anchor between the red buoy and end of north jetty on a falling tide and balloon fish live menhaden.</font id=“blue”>
be aware if anchoring right there. Current can be strong depending on where you are, and some of the big boats could care less where the channel is or that you are vulnerable there. They will fly right by that corner. I’m not saying don’t do it, but keep a watch in a 15 ft boat.
Before a debate starts, I’m not saying big boats don’t have a right to be there, and it sure ain’t a no wake, but I’ve had huge boats pass within yards of us and nearly swamp us, just to not go around by 50 yards. I’m just saying it will happen.
edge185
so i guess menhaden is the way to go. trolling seems not so popular among the king fishermen. also, how do you want to hook a menhaden? any hot spots for netting these baitfish?
Adam
When I was a kid we use to troll from the end of the jettys all the way out to the end of the cage bouys. Up and down both sides and catch alot of Kings that way. Just use Sea witches with some med or small Ballys’s.
The last time I was home on leave I caught a few out there in my parents 15 foot whaler. So you can do it in a 15 footer no problem.
SGT H
quote:
Originally posted by Cootfishso i guess menhaden is the way to go. trolling seems not so popular among the king fishermen. also, how do you want to hook a menhaden? any hot spots for netting these baitfish?
Adam
I hook them through the nose kind of like we do a blue back herring for stripers and put the stinger hook near the tail but make sure it is not too tight so they can swim
We always catch them btw IOP & Sullivans on the ICW between 526 bridge and draw bridge
1999 Sea Pro 210cc
Suzuki 225 EFI
tprice, are you saying you catch kings in the intracostal waterway???[:0]
[:0]
quote:
Originally posted by redfisher7tprice, are you saying you catch kings in the intracostal waterway???[:0]
NO, Cootfish asked where we catch the menhaden
1999 Sea Pro 210cc
Suzuki 225 EFI
sorry, my bad. i didnt read the question[:I]
we saw 1 in the icw last summer. supper suprised.
What kind/test line do you like for trolling for kings?
Sold my house to buy a boat.
Sea Pro 206DC, 150 Yamaha
20lb line will be good. Check your reels to see what they hold.
21 scout w/150 yam 4str
I use TLD 15’s loaded with 20lb test
1999 Sea Pro 210cc
Suzuki 225 EFI
i have always had good luck using orange/sparkle skirts with ballyhoo trolled at around 6-8 knots, at or near the charleston 60, but wathc out for the barracudas.
“Can you swim 5 miles, “No”, Than what is the difference in 5 miles and 50 miles”
quote:
Originally posted by tlreadi have always had good luck using orange/sparkle skirts with ballyhoo trolled at around 6-8 knots, at or near the charleston 60, but wathc out for the barracudas.
“Can you swim 5 miles, “No”, Than what is the difference in 5 miles and 50 miles”
Hey they are as much fun as the kings to me on light tackle
1999 Sea Pro 210cc
Suzuki 225 EFI
this is very true, but have you ever eaten one, i have always heard they weren’t good. With gas as expensive as it is i like to make the trip as productive as possible, aka bring home alot of meat fish, if you know what i mean
“Can you swim 5 miles, “No”, Than what is the difference in 5 miles and 50 miles”