The Technique to Catching Kingfish with Live Bait

In this video we go offshore fishing with live bait and have a great day of catching Kingfish. We also go over the technique to catching Kingfish with live bait. Because we are using live bait we use light line and small hooks so that the bait can swim more naturally. Since we have small hooks we have to use light drags. Rather than powering in the fish like you could do for bottom fish or when you fish with bigger hooks for Mahi and Wahoo you have to guide the fish to the boat. Let the fish run and tire himself out and then steer the fish back to you when he is tired.
To understand how Kingfish feed watch the video below that shows Kingfish underwater stalking and striking live bait!
• Underwater Video of Ki...
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For most baits I use 40lb camo wire that is NON-COATED. amzn.to/2S7dYUD
Spro Power Swivel-Pack of 50 (Black, Size 6) amzn.to/2Gf4Nuc
Sea Anchor Drift Sock (we use two and shut off 1 motor to go slow enough for the live bait) amzn.to/2zkYLUl
Below are some links to the hooks I like. I typically use a #6 treble hook when fishing with pogeys (menhaden) or ribbonfish. If I am using Blue Runners or Goggle Eyes in a tournament I might go up to a #4 hook though.
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Most reels I use are TLD 20's. These are great all around reels though for Kingfish a reel with a faster retrieve is more ideal, like a torque, fathom, or speed master.
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Kingfish Rig Bag (Regular) amzn.to/2LnWOvZ
Insulated Fish Bag we use: click.linksynergy.com/link?id...
(Great for holding your ice longer and transporting your fish later)
Please note: Some links are affiliate links and if you make a purchase through this link, I will receive a small commission for referring you to the product.

[@Halcyon1861]

In about 10 years of making trips to the NC coast(I live 4 hours away) I have caught 7 kings off the pier. Something I learned years ago is even the patch doesn't help my sea sickness. Also I began to understand if you want big fish, you fish the pier. It seems counterintuitive, here's my 7 fish. 18.7, 28.5, 34.0, 22.1, 20.8, 22.5(shark took back foot off it) and last week 29.8.

[@FJB_FJB]

What pier? Biggest King I have caught off an NC pier was 38.5. But all my big kings were right off the beach within a couple miles. Last year 53.10

[@kohenshlom]

always great video ! pro !!!

[@ReelHazardous]

Thanks!

[@YaacoubKari]

great channel and nice catch

[@ReelHazardous]

Thanks!

[@leegoe3304]

What rig were you using? It was kind of hard to tell. Great information I always learn when I watch you and your Dad.

[@TheNorthFloridaAngler]

Nice action on those kings Jerome! Awesome video!

[@ReelHazardous]

Thanks Capt. C.C. they were fun to catch! How's the hunting and fishing going for you?

[@TheNorthFloridaAngler]

@@ReelHazardous Caught a couple of tarpon last month along with some bull reds. Killed a six point during archery season, but nothing during black powder. Getting ready to do a lot of hunting in Georgia this month. won't be doing much fishing!

[@JoseDiaz-yl9sh]

Alot of big Kings down here. I just got back this morning. Average 30 pounder on dron spoons. Good moon. A couple of big mahi in the mix also.

[@ReelHazardous]

Awesome glad the bite is going well! Are the sails starting to run?

[@JoseDiaz-yl9sh]

@@ReelHazardous They run down here almost the whole year around. Wahoo are also showing up now on the hills n deeper wrecks. Mahi are still here but not as abundant as June or July

[@maxmorton44]

Do you recommend a star or lever drag for this type of trolling?

[@ReelHazardous]

I like lever drags better. The star drag can get bumped off easily and I can't mark it like I can on lever drags.

[@jimdrechsel3611]

Are you using drift bags while trolling? Is that a chum bag overboard? What rig do you like to use when live bait trolling? Trolling speed? Thank you for sharing.

[@ReelHazardous]

I use drift bags and sometimes chum bags. Even with only 1 motor in gear I need the drift bags to get between 1 and 2 miles per hour depending on the bait and it’s size. I like using the Kingfish rod with a stinger hook. I can send you a link for trying that rig if you want?

[@jimdrechsel3611]

@@ReelHazardous that would be helpful thank you

[@jenseno22]

Second

[@robbyarago]

Can you troll for kings with out a down rigger?

[@ReelHazardous]

Yeah, you could still use a planner too if you wanted a deep line without a downrigger.

[@gagedegnan3019]

First

[@harrisonh8515]

What kind of boat

[@ReelHazardous]

The old 27 Contender

[@randybeltran6607]

My boat is too fast for this I really just have to bump troll super slow one engine in gear makes me go 5knots

[@ReelHazardous]

Have you ever tried using drift sock sea anchors? We have to use 2 of them to slow us down.

[@randybeltran6607]

@@ReelHazardous no I haven’t what size do you reccomend I have a 32 wellcraft express with 2 Cummings so it’s very heavy but is still fast.

[@randybeltran6607]

@@ReelHazardous also do you mean to run the drift socks behind the boat while trolling forward? Do you ever have problems with the props or the lines?

[@vancecamper2099]

Really enjoy your show. But you know there is nothing more satisfying than the clicker singing on the bite and nothing more irritating than it being on while fighting the fish. Just a thought

[@ReelHazardous]

Hey Vance, thanks for the feedback. I keep the drags on during the fight so the driver can tell what the fish is doing but I'll see if I can tone it down some for the video.

[@MarcusCarltonMay]

Turn. Off. The. Clicker.