mgj

Erroll, That is a 12wt-for close encounters with a hoodlum. Mark

I caught the John Dory at North Head.It inhaled the fly at great speed,and it was hooked deep in it's throat.

Went out Sunday and caught a few kings on fly as well as some monumental bustoffs in bad country. Then I landed this on fly-with St Peter's thumbprint! A first for me and it was delicious and fed 3 people. Mark

Slinky, Those rods were a 9wt and a 14wt respectively,with the appropriate reels.You can almost equate jigstick power with those rigs. Mark

There are many ways to catch these smart and tough fish.Fly is one of them, I also enjoy jigging and livebaiting in NZ.No matter which method you employ,a Kingie is never subdued-even when you get them in the boat! Mark

The first three are fly caught kingies and the last one was caught jigging on the Saltiga. I caught plenty on both methods. Mark

Just got back.The season has been late over there as well.We landed Kingies every day with sporadic electric action. I used mainly fly and occasional Saltiga.The fight with a big king on a fly rod is something to behold! Also it is a sight you do not forget when a big king with those huge silver/white flanks and powerful yellow tails emerge from the depths after torrid hand to hand combat. Mark. Hooked up in a spectacular coastline.

Kelvin, I do both over there.On my 6500 Saltiga Gear the biggest I have landed went 28kg and on fly 21 kg-I hope to do better this year. Mark

Kelvin, Good to see you posting again-well done as usual. I often see you catching livies before heading out to those outside reefs. I only flyfish and I've done OK lately.I have a few deepwater fly techniqes sorted out.Next week I go to NZ after XOS Kingies. Here are some recent Sydney pics.This Kingie went 86cm. Mark

I use flies,not lures.I know that kings will take jigs and plastics on occasion-but you would be better asking those experts.

Dan, Saturday was great-multiple hookups.The weather deteriorated on Sunday,but I landed a few kings. You blokes are The kingie fishermen of the Harbour,and it demonstrates that we all get dusted by these beasts on a regular basis. It makes kingie fishing all the more interesting! Mark

Another

king around 75 cm

I landed some kings on fly a few weeks ago,then the weather went south and so did the kings. I've been waiting for the weather to turn,and after it did this week the kings turned up. I landed many to 75 cm on fly.The pics are hookups on the 9 and 11 wts. A good day. Mark

Stewy, It looks to be a good season! Thanks for tidying up the post. A 12wt is one of my favorite kingie rods for solid kings,I also use a 9wt for smaller fish.An intermediate line is good for kingies. I try to 'match the hatch',and that means small baitfish patterns at the moment.This will change to bigger patterns as the summer progresses. I am always happy to help out. Dan, I just looked at my messages and thanks for that pic-I know that area. I was using 25lb leader on that big king in bad country-I would have been OK on 30lb.I'm sure you and Greg would have had no trouble with those big kings. The sounder is a revelation-I'm still learning how to use it. Butch, I remember you,it won't be long until the kingie season swings into gear. Good luck. Mark

Went out and found kings on the surface and down deep. The sounder was alive with fish! Also found big salmon and some bonnies. I tangled with some big kings as well as rats on fly and had some prodigious bustoffs. Hooked - UP Mark

I agree Stewy you were responsible for that fish.I remember you blokes were hooked up for hours and everyone on your boat were knackered from tangling with big 'fin.That was the best of the recent years for yellowfin.May we have a few more! Dan, I had a look but they weren't there at that time-next time. Mark

Xraps and similar are fine plus skirts. Flyreels have conventional washer drags but I prefer cork drags.Cork disc against a metal surface the strongest drag-cork doesn't compress and doesn't heat up.It handles big fish-marlin;kings;tuna etc with no problems.

That 50kg yellowfin in my avatar-caught on fly at Brown's a few years ago-that was a fight!

I'm serious-that was a small SBT.You fillet them like any other fish and they freeze well. We have dined on that fish as sushi;sashimi;and grilled.The Japanese prize them above all other tuna-I agree with them. They are pussycats in the 20-45kg class.The bigger ones are difficult,but a yellowfin will pull them backwards. That fish was trolled up.The idea was to get followers to the boat for the fly-didn't happen often- next time. Mark.

Just got back.The locals say the bite is tapering off.We did OK.We landed a couple of SBTs conventionally. I hooked up a couple on fly but didn't stay connected-next time.They are very doable on fly. The Narooma bar behaved itself. The bluefin are a taste sensation! Mark PS check out the car park.

Those NZ kings are special-all kings are special and tough.I released that one and it swam away strongly. Mark

Dan, Good luck to Greg-he will clean up as usual I'm sure. Mark