How to target Kingfish during winter?

[Offtherockss]

I'd really appreciate if someone can give me some tips and strategies on targeting Kingfish during the more colder months. It'd also be great if someone can recommend me some kingfish hotspots.

Thanks to all in adanvce. 

[little fisho]

judging by your name, i assume you are landbased like me, where i would say that specifically trying to target kings in the winter is all but a waste of time. they generally move into deeper blue water and are a lot more active in summer, but you still get the occasional monster in winter i suppose. trying to escape the salmon schools in winter can be near impossible and i personally don't bother with kings in the winter, i usually stick to spinning on lighter gear chasing some salmon for fun, or going after more typical rock species (bream, drummer, luderick, groper etc)

[Ex pro]

Sorry but im not gonna give up locations n ill tell u way,,however i will give u some pointers,the larger resident fish will hold over winter inshore in 5 to 20mtrs hugged up in little bays n crevices along the coastline, generally they are 15kg plus fus more often than not over 20kg,they are in small schools of 2 to 20 fish and i believe they should be left to breed and produce out of their usually strong build type genetics,,you will also get schools of smaller fish inshore in winter,,all depends on currents,,anyhow there is a myth that during a certain period over winter that kingfish disappear deep or dont feed,,load of bs,,ive had years where more kingfish were boxed up in winter than in summer,,places like montague island are known to have the best kingfish bite through the winter period,,all comes down to one thing,,,,food,,,,easy constant food,all those little cracks n coves like eves ravine at currarong and the tubes at jervis bay all act as a catch for the foodsource they are wanting therefore hold the fish that eat that bait,,the difference being the current is generally pushing the opposite direction in winter and the bait isnt the same as whats there in summer hence why those who try to apply the same tactics that are used in summer with the same baits fail and in most cases dont even get a look in 

[PaddyT]

2 hours ago, Ex pro said:

Sorry but im not gonna give up locations n ill tell u way,,however i will give u some pointers,the larger resident fish will hold over winter inshore in 5 to 20mtrs hugged up in little bays n crevices along the coastline, generally they are 15kg plus fus more often than not over 20kg,they are in small schools of 2 to 20 fish and i believe they should be left to breed and produce out of their usually strong build type genetics,,you will also get schools of smaller fish inshore in winter,,all depends on currents,,anyhow there is a myth that during a certain period over winter that kingfish disappear deep or dont feed,,load of bs,,ive had years where more kingfish were boxed up in winter than in summer,,places like montague island are known to have the best kingfish bite through the winter period,,all comes down to one thing,,,,food,,,,easy constant food,all those little cracks n coves like eves ravine at currarong and the tubes at jervis bay all act as a catch for the foodsource they are wanting therefore hold the fish that eat that bait,,the difference being the current is generally pushing the opposite direction in winter and the bait isnt the same as whats there in summer hence why those who try to apply the same tactics that are used in summer with the same baits fail and in most cases dont even get a look in 

Yep-seen a few stonkers caught over winter off the rocks-and been smoked a few times as well-live pike and live squid.

[Ex pro]

2 minutes ago, PaddyT said:

Yep-seen a few stonkers caught over winter off the rocks-and been smoked a few times as well-live pike and live squid.

Theyll work,but there is also something else that happens during winter and in turn creates a food source that simply drifts into them in these spots and when that happens you can put whatever you want infront of them n they wont budge,,ive had days where i went all day lookin n when found one managed a few baits n even recycled the baits out of caught fish and put a load on the deck,

[PaddyT]

2 minutes ago, Ex pro said:

Theyll work,but there is also something else that happens during winter and in turn creates a food source that simply drifts into them in these spots and when that happens you can put whatever you want infront of them n they wont budge,,ive had days where i went all day lookin n when found one managed a few baits n even recycled the baits out of caught fish and put a load on the deck,

Yeah-you are right-they dont disappear , they just change habits-the rocks is hard work in winter , boat is a bit easier because you are more mobile. Also seen some massive kingfish boil ups in winter in certain estuary systems-big kings slurping down microscopic bait like vacuum cleaners-damn hard to get a bite though a lot of the time!. My general go to in winter has been the deeper reefs but as you say they still need to eat .

[Ex pro]

3 minutes ago, PaddyT said:

Yeah-you are right-they dont disappear , they just change habits-the rocks is hard work in winter , boat is a bit easier because you are more mobile. Also seen some massive kingfish boil ups in winter in certain estuary systems-big kings slurping down microscopic bait like vacuum cleaners-damn hard to get a bite though a lot of the time!. My general go to in winter has been the deeper reefs but as you say they still need to eat .

Yep out wide aswell at certain times theyll filter feed on rock lobster and mudcrab spawn,this can make things difficult however at these times there is also other stuff around that they generally wont turn their nose up too,,alot of the difference in these times is the way fishing for them is approached,,i used to watch other boats fishing a certain way at certain times n picture it like going to a chinese buffet n seeing a chicken nugget on the floor and expecting someone to pick it up and eat it,,that nuggets gonna stay there all night just like alot of baits

[mrsswordfisherman]

@Ex pro and @PaddyT this is an old thread you have brought up. Perhaps start a new thread if you wish to help members with info. 

@Offtherockss we have many kingie experts here. I am sure by reading your posts you have been given lots of help with things since this post. 

Check out the Digital Cinema for heaps of videos from members. 

https://www.fishraider.com.au/forum/102-the-digital-cinema/

Do a search here on "kingfish" as well that will bring up heaps of posts full of info.