How to Catch Kingfish: A Complete Guide

Without a doubt, the Yellowtail Kingfish is one of the most sought after species in our country, and when you get to know them you'll find it's no surprise. These prized sportfish are feisty, tasty and readily available along a broad stretch of coastline of the eastern seaboard - from roughly Hervey Bay in the north down through Victoria, into South Australia and beyond.

What's more, Kingfish are found in a huge range of locations, from deep offshore reefs to rocky ocean headlands, and in bays and even up into estuaries. This wide range of habitats means multiple different fishing techniques can be used to target them, so there are as many ways to catch a Kingfish as there are people chasing them.

These beauties can be fickle though. Sometimes, Kingfish are so ravenous they'll devour whatever's thrown at them, but at other times they'll swim right up to your boat or fishing spot and frustratingly refuse to eat anything you dangle, no matter how enticing it is.

Throw in the fact that Kingfish look amazing and taste even better, plus they often congregate in big schools and they fight like nothing else (they'll do their absolute best to break you off on the bottom or any other available object!), and it's easy to see why they're so prized.

It all adds up to a fishing challenge like no other, so if you're keen for some in-depth information about when and where to catch Kingfish, what Kingfish eat and what gear you need to catch them, we've got all the answers you need.

Quick Links

• How Do You Fish For Kingfish?
• What Equipment Do You Need To Catch Kingfish?
• Where Are The Best Places To Catch Kingfish In Australia?
• What Is The Best Time To Catch Kingfish?
• Shop Top Quality Fishing Gear at Anaconda

How Do You Fish For Kingfish & What Techniques Work Best?

As mentioned above, there are almost as many ways to catch a Kingfish as there are Kingfish in the sea. From handlining with live bait to casting lures, the only firm rule is to use whatever you find works best for the conditions, location and your preferences. That said, there are a few tried and true techniques you can count on to land a Kingfish.

• Live baiting
• Jigging
• Trolling
• Casting

What Equipment Do You Need To Catch Kingfish?

Kingfish are renowned for their fickleness and the fight they put up, so you'll want appealing bait or lures and some heavy-duty gear. Read on to find out what lures, bait and rods are best for catching Kingfish.

What Lures Are Best For Kingfish Fishing?

The list of possible lures for catching Kingfish can be extremely long and rather overwhelming, and it really comes down to your personal preference. But when you break it down, there's a couple of easy to remember tips that will keep you on the right path. If you go with a stickbait, a floating one that produces erratic surface movement will almost force the Kingfish into striking, as it assumes the lure will ultimately get away if it doesn't. As for soft plastics, the choice is endless, but bringing a range of paddletails and alternative styles like jerk shads should give you plenty of choices and room to experiment.

What Is The Best Bait For Catching Kingfish?

When it comes to food, Kingfish aren't all that fussy. They love live bait and they'll eat all sorts of fish species, such as Yakkas, Slimy Mackerel, Garfish and Sauries. But one thing Kingfish really love is squid, such as Calamari and Arrow Squid. In many cases, the key to getting really good at catching Kingfish is to get really good at catching bait!

And while a smaller bait or lure will catch you plenty of Kingfish (often fairly decent sized ones!), if you've got your heart set on catching a whopping Kingfish then you're going to want to use a larger bait or lure. Remember the time-tested rule of thumb - the bigger the bait, the bigger the fish.

Which Rods Are Best For Kingfish Fishing?

From light spin rods to heavy game rods, you can catch Kingfish on a wide range of rods, but it can be better to err on the side of caution and use something heavy-duty. A good all-around choice would be a 10 to 15kg rod with a 6000-20000 size reel and 20 to 50 pound line. Ultimately it will depend on the water you are fishing and whether it is off a boat or from the shore, with a lighter set-up being ideal in the former.

Where Are The Best Places To Catch Kingfish In Australia?

Offshore Reefs

Offshore reef systems are a habitat Kingfish absolutely love, and they'll often hold around these spots in big numbers waiting for baitfish and squid to come close to them. In reef areas, water depth doesn't matter too much, as anything from a few meters deep to well over 100m can and will hold Kingies. A fish finder will help you see where they're congregating.

On deeper reefs, jigging with metal jigs is a great way to catch Kingfish. Working the jig back fast from the bottom fires the fish up and causes them to hit hard.

Ocean Headlands & Islands

Kingfish love to cruise along the coastline, hunting for food along the rocky headlands. In particular, areas such as headlands that have deep water and currents pushing past them are ideal places to catch Kingfish.

Bays & Estuaries

As mentioned earlier, Kingfish don't care how deep the water is. But what they do love is warmer water and plentiful food, so it makes sense that at times they'll push into areas with loads of both so they can feed on the abundant bait and just hang out in the warmth. It's not just smaller specimens that do this either - the biggest Kingfish in the country travel from deep ocean waters into the shallows of Spencer Gulf in South Australia every year.

What Is The Best Time Of Day To Catch Kingfish?

As with a lot of fish species, a tide change is always a good time to catch Kingfish when they're feeding. Generally, the hour or so on either side of a tide change will get the Kingies fired up, but you may also find that they only feed on one side of the tide, depending on where you are. Take note of when you get the bites and it'll put you in the right area for the next tide or your next trip.

When it comes to the moon phases, a building moon is always good, but there are other things to be aware of. The time the moon rises or sets is also important, and keep in mind that those moments can happen in the middle of the day.

Another key time for Kingfish is definitely dawn and dusk, especially in shallower water where bigger fish often become more active. They'll also sit higher in the water column as they hunt for food.

Current or Tide Flow

If there is one thing Kingfish love, it's water movement, so offshore currents or decent tidal flow will usually get the Kingies ready to bite.

When you find an area that the tide or current is pushing into, look at the areas where the flow pushes into the structure the hardest. Kingfish love to hold on the front edge of where the current pushes into the structure, because with their powerful tails they can easily swim in the flowing water. Smaller prey can't do this as well, so it makes it very easy for Kingfish to chase food down and eat it.

Shop Top Quality Gear For Catching Kingfish At Anaconda

Now you have the inside scoop, you'll be all set for catching the highly sought after Yellowtail Kingfish. But before you head out, make sure you have all the right fishing gear to make the most of every opportunity to catch a Kingfish. Explore the huge range of quality fishing rods, fishing lines, bait, reels and more at Anaconda.

And if you liked our guide to fishing for Kingfish, then you'll love the other fishing articles and helpful tips on our Adventure Centre such as:

• Top 10 Lures For Catching Trout
• Everything You Need To Know About Estuary Fishing With Hard-Body Lures
• Murray Cod Tips & Tricks
• The 'One Percenters' Of Successful Fishing: Best Fishing Tips & Techniques

For everything you need to catch Kingfish or any other fish on your next outing on the water, visit your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive range of fishing gear.