Kayak fishing for kingies in upper middle harbour

[PSi]

I was thinking about taking a few mates kayak fishing for kingies in upper Middle Harbour a couple of weeks from now, this will be the first time any of us have been been in that body of water, let alone having caught a kingfish before.

Been doing a ton of reading on the subject but was also hoping to get your guys opinion on the upper areas.

We're planning to launch at davidson park boat ramp and fish down stream as far as we're willing to paddle.

Is this stretch of water too shallow for kings or will it be alright?

Thanks in advance!

[fragmeister]

I have not encountered kingies up that far but areas just down stream at Sugarloaf Bay and Banry Bay are fairly reliable spots for Kings.

During the warmer months the boat moorings at Bantry Bay usually hold rats that you can easily get feeding with some burley.  Great fun on light gear.

Not  sure how quickly you can get to any surface action but if you see any , which is usually Tailor or Salmon, the kings often hang below the feeding fish. Casting large soft plastics past the school and letting them sink down so you can retrieve under the school is a good strategy.

if you do get to Sugarloaf where it joints the main arm of the system you should find surface action towards the right bank as you look at the main arm. 

Best of luck

 

jim

[anthman]

Last time I saw kingies at the boat ramp was 2017, so not sure if it's worth your while. Prob about 1.5mths ago we got into a tonne of kingies at Pickering point. I think the mornings around the spit might be your best bet and nearby moorings up stream (I would personally do a beach launch from Clontarf reserve) - we got into kings last week (50-54cm, though). Try to get to the fishing spot (I E. Moorings) at sunrise (first light would be good, but conscious it would be dark so have to be careful of boat traffic) - though the fish are still around, it's so much more productive in the first few hours from first light and of course, much quieter in terms of boat traffic. Most kings have been by dropping yabbies on a 4/0 circle hook with a very light splitshot on 14lb fluoro and 10lb braid.

 

Good luck!

 

Edited May 2, 2019 by anthman

[PSi]

Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like Bantry and Sugarloaf is where the action is. Don't really want to venture too far away from the boat ramp this time around, maybe on the next trip we'll launch from Tunks and venture out east from there.

Small steps

[Coswecanfly]

You'd probably be better off launching at tunks Park Boat Ramp and heading down towards spit bridge if you're after kingies. There are two wrecks on the way there where you can have lots of fun for the last two hours of a pushing tide on light gear. 

[PSi]

3 hours ago, Coswecanfly said:

You'd probably be better off launching at tunks Park Boat Ramp and heading down towards spit bridge if you're after kingies. There are two wrecks on the way there where you can have lots of fun for the last two hours of a pushing tide on light gear. 

Not knowing the area, i'm going to take your advice on board and launch from Tunks instead. Thanks for the tip.

[fragmeister]

10 hours ago, PSi said:

Not knowing the area, i'm going to take your advice on board and launch from Tunks instead. Thanks for the tip.

Yes, that certainly is a better option if you are prepared to launch from Tunks.