Moruya kingfish

[Benzeenees]

Spent a few days off Moruya Heads targeting kingfish, starting last Sunday (22nd April). My fishing partner had read of a theory that kingies bite best leading up to the new moon.

We had fished the new moon at the end of March and the fish were really on the chew. But they certainly went off the bite an hour each side of low tide. About 2 weeks later the fish were there but were not interested in our yellowtails or jigs. I even saw 2 professional boats give up with nothing in the box.

So our aim was to get down around the 19th to test out the theory. Sadly the weather didn't co-operate and we couldn't get out until the day after the new moon. And they were on the bite - not like in March, but we picked up 3 on Sunday, 5 on Monday (lost a heap) and one on Tuesday before the weather turned bad. Not sure about the tide - high tide at mid-morning. Sunday they definitely stopped around the high, but on Monday they kept biting - maybe a little less active around the high.

We were fishing in 45m -50m of water about 5km off shore. The numbers of fish showing on the sounder definitely built up after high tide. Perhaps they were feeding in close before that? We had some action that felt like cuttlefish chomping our baits but most of the kings had digested fish in their guts. The one we caught on Tuesday - further out in 65m - had a big squid in it.

Does anyone else have any theories/experience that they'd like to share?

BTW, after catching the kings in March I smoked some and put a report in the kitchen section. Based on that experience I smoked a few more about 2 weeks ago. Came out really well! I even wrote down what I did for future reference. I've now got another 4 sides drying after coming out of the brine. When they're done I'll post another report withfull details of brine, smoke time etc.

[iconnolly]

Sorry! i'm still a Kingy virgin. I think they smell me coming! I even went to Lord Howe Island once which is supposed to be like "kingie Heaven" but they weren't "on" that week. I'll be watching this post with interest though. Gootta catch me one. Great report! Good to see reports from thinking anglers.

reeltired

[Benzeenees]

the fish we were catching were in the 85cm - 90cm class. They pull like trains! But in deep water they really can't reef you easily. So as long as a knot doesn't fail, or a hook pull out, they end up at the boat. That doesn't always end up with a fish in the boat - sometimes difficult to net them - then they're off! I read a recent report of a 127cm job. Can't imagine what that would be like.