Welcome to the Kingfish Fishing Guide Victoria. Catching a big Kingfish is the stuff that local anglers dream about. Yellowtail King Fish in Victoria has continued to get better and better in recent years which is wonderful news for local anglers. Kingfish are unparalleled as they possess immense power and for this reason, are rapidly growing in popularity as a species to target. Kingies can grow over a meter in length, have amazing fighting qualities, they generally school up in big numbers, are also a renowned table fish and are a very welcome bycatch for those who may have been out in deeper waters targeting species such as Tuna.
We encourage you to read our detailed guide on targeting Kingfish around Melbourne
Kingfish has the scientific name of Seriola lalandi. They a renowned good table fish. The minimum legal size of 60cm, with a daily bag limit of 5 over minimum size. Kingfish can grow well over a meter in length, and the small ones are referred to as rats.
How to catch Kingfish
Kingfish is a renowned sports fish and a heavy-duty setup is required. Starting with a 10-15 or 12-24 kilo Shimano Terez or Wilson Live Fibre rod. Paired with a 6000-20000 size reel. Some good options include the Penn Slammer, Shimano Saragosa, Daiwa Saltist, Daiwa Saltiga or Shimano Stella spooled with 20 to 50-pound line. Kingies are generally active between December through to March and can be located during most hours of the day
Recommended baits to catch Kingfish
Kingfish are predators that feed on smaller fish within their environment. Therefore live baits is a top choice when targeting mulloway with the live bait carefully pinned behind the neck to allow the bait to swim freely or like a wounded fish. Staple easily accessible dead baits also work well on Kingfish. A running sinker rig to a single 5/0 – 8/0 hook or a double snelled hook to present the bait nicely. Recommended options include.
- Live Mackarel
- Live Scad
- Live mullet
- Live salmon
- live whiting
- live squid
- whole pilchard
- trevally
- garfish
- whole squid
Recommended lures to catch Kingfish
From the boat vertical jigging has been one of the most successful techniques which is done by dropping a vertical jig and hopping it up and down trying to get the attention of a big aggressive king. Soft plastics between 80mm and 100mm are also a great option. Good options include flick baits, shads, paddle tails and grubz. You can also purchase pre-made rigs and swimbaits which are designed to imitate a fish in its surrounding such as a mullet.
- Daiwa Bait Junkie 7 inch Jerk Shad
- Daiwa Bait Junkie 5 inch Jerk Shad
- Zerek fish trap
- Kietech swim impact fat
- Squidges biotough grub
- Samaki Vibelicious
Best fishing locations to catch Kingfish
- The Rip
- Portland
- Barwon Heads
- Black Rock
- Port Welshpool
- Port Fairy
- Mallacoota
- Wilsons promontory
- Narooma
- Docklands
- Williamstown
- Mornington
- Port Melbourne
Recreational fishing guide
You can obtain a free Victorian recreational fishing guide from the Victorian Fisheries Authorities weblink
Acknowledgements
Images of fish supplied VFA and DEPI. All other images and videos shown on the Kingfish Fishing Guide Victoria are Fishing Mad originals.
Additions or Corrections for this fish species
Thank you for reading the Kingfish Fishing Guide Victoria. If you feel this guide is missing key information or needs any corrections. Then please let us know by emailing our team at enquiries@fishingmad.com.au with specific details in the email. Thank you