Sydney Kingfish on a knife jig

[whiskey299]

I struggled to catch any bait on the weekend and could only manage a decent arrow squid which I was undecided if I would keep to eat or use as live bait. Go big or go home as my mate would say, so I rigged it up to a 6/0 circle with a treble stinger. 

Dropped it down about 10m and while I wait I make myself a cup of hot laksa noodles. Nothing beats a warm meal on a cold morning! While munching on the noodles I see some solid marks under the livie. Before I know it, the line it twitching and rod buckles over. After a short tussle I get it to the surface and it’s a kingfish and the treble is barely hooked on the gill. I back off the drag and carefully net the fish. A quick measure and it’s undersized 64cm and sent back home. 

 

Desperate to find more live bait I moved to various wrecks. On the way to the last wreck I spot some solid marks, drop my light rod setup with a 20g slow jig and it’s gets smashed as the 12lb leader pops. I loose contact with the school so I continue to the last wreck and come up empty. On the way back I spot the school again but this time I had my slow jigging rod setup with a 150g knife jig (I bought this jig 4 years ago and have been carrying it for a day like this 😂). Drop the jig straight to the bottom jig it once, twice and I’m on straight away. It’s a good fish, the drag is screaming but there’s no structure around so I take my time playing the kingfish and enjoy the moment. Quick measure and it’s a keeper 70cm, couldn’t be happier, I ikejime and bleed it straight away. There’s no point in catching anymore as I’m more than happy with the one keeper so I pack up and head back to ramp.

 

I did catch a few spotted bigeye and flathead while wreck hopping all caught on a 30g slow jig and released.

Edited August 13, 2023 by whiskey299

[bessell1955]

A very successful outing.  The photos are out standing.  

[Bennyg78]

well done great catch!!!!

 

Edited August 14, 2023 by Bennyg78

[JustJames]

Kudos on taking only what you need.

 

Even bigger kudos on having a hot feed on a 'yak!

[jenno64]

Great pics and well done on the keeper king!

[Rebel]

Top report.

Super photos.

Well done.

[Larkin]

looks like a top session on the yak - good variety of catch. Nice size king on the jig! 👍Squid possibly a loligo.

 

[Yowie]

A good sized kingie to keep, and a few other fish for your effort.

The jig finally paid off. I would have kept the squid for the pan. 😋

[clutch]

Nice job! Great day out for you.

[kantong]

great sized kingie! well done

[dlvbw]

Sick mate. Thought that squid could have made about 20 strip baits! What area were you fishing? Middle Harbour? 

Nothing like a jig getting smashed. Sooooooooooo good.