howies Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 (edited) About time I gave my own review. After many years chasing kingies land based (without any luck) I purchased a boat last year to get amongst it. It's been a steep learning curve but reading this and other fishing forums has given me an idea on how one would go about catching this elusive beast. After an early start yesterday the water was perfect without a breeze, I tried to catch some squid without any luck around taylors, Macmasters and palmie. I then headed to west head for yakkas and picked up a mixed size bag in less then 1/2 hour. I trolled the larger yakkas on the downriggers all over Pittwater along the drop offs and wrecks, I was hit twice but both times left the head and hook. The rain settled in and after 8 hrs I was ready to pack it in. I decided to grab a mooring near Scotland island on the west side and clean down the boat which was in need of a sort out after several days on the water. I left the downriggers down as I was cleaning up started burleying up with the remainder of the pillies and frozen squid, I decided to throw a baby yakka on my squid jig set up a small craft squid rod and stradic 2500. I continued to clean when the Stradic started screaming and I knew straight away what it was, I tightened the drag up as it swam away at an alarming pace from me to try and turn it around, I achieved that but now it was heading straight along side off the boat and pulling off more line and heading deeper at this point, I kept working it up slowly with another 3 big runs but then came straight at the boat and heading for the downriggers so I now had the rod tip in the water trying to direct it away from the steel cables and boat while I wound the downrigger up with one hand and battled the kingy with the other, At this point the adrenalin is pumping and I honestly didnt think that my gear would hold out. I raised the kingy to the surface twice more but as soon as I get it near the net it's off again, finally she gives in and comes up on her side so I could finally net her. Last night I had it sashimi and baked Thai style and was the best I have ever tasted so fresh! When cleaning it's belly was full of little yakkas. Edited February 15, 2017 by howies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blood Knot Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Nice first Kingy and even better on the Squid gear Cheers Blood Knot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDory Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Nice report there Howies Congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike89 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 (edited) Awesome report! You had me there right with you. Funny how we buy all the right (and expensive) gear for our targets and more often than not it's on the other setup that the magic finally happens. 80cm is a great size for a first legal king. I'm still chasing one this summer. Who's the chef? The sashimi looks amazing. Enjoy! Excellent job! Edit: And, happy birthday by the way! Edited February 15, 2017 by Mike89 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howies Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share Posted February 15, 2017 Cheers Blood Knot, John Dory and Mike89. It was a great end to the day and I am the Chef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flickn Mad Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Well done mate. The old saying big bait big fish isn't always right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDory Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Do a post on what you did to prep that Kingy for eating, and I think you would be well on the way for a nomination for a Chiefs Badge. Looks OUTSTANDING! I'd have dinner at your place any day. Keep up the good work. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samjames95 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 great work mate, always fun on light tackle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chakka Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Great work, that meal looks awesome bet it tasted a million bucks knowing you landed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PritchEagle Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Great fishing. Well done Howies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vhanz Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Good job buddy! Nice kingy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwicraig Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 That's just the best thing you can get for your b'day! Well done. Looks delicious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenno64 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Great post and great plating sounded like a great catch and tasted great too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellzy94 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 That's a great fish mate, well done! Cheers, Wellzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdevitt88 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Great stuff mate. I've tried trolling live squid around Scotland the last couple of weekends with no luck. I might have to track down some yakkas as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaniFIN Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Cograts. Nice report, and nice opportunity my english reading :). Have to say, that lookslike very delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big Neil Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Great report Howies. Compliments on your angling skills and also your cooking skills. Happy Birthday too. Cheers, BN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishsauce8 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 congratulations mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Wonderful birthday dinner. More. Kings to come. I'm sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBFisho Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 No that's a Birthday Kingie id be happy with. Great report and HBD. Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeger Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Great King! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock&Beach Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Great report mate. Super effort on the King. Yeah baby that is why we fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnapper Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Nice one Howie, Pittwater has produced Legal Kings for me this time of year as well on yakka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaichilli Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Hook them and cook them well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luderick -angler Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 That's a cracking king well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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