Kingies on big sofites?

Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Kingies on big sofites?
    Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 8:04pm
MB View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 08 Jan 2016
Location: Northland
Status: Online
Points: 5535
I've caught my fair share of kingfish on soft baits when snapper fishing, but have never targeted them specifically with softies.

I was thinking of big softies fished on the surface/slightly sub-surface. Big softies regularly take similar sized fish overseas. Anyone doing this in NZ. Any soft bait or rigging recommendations?
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Muppet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 8:23pm
Muppet View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 26 May 2004
Location: NZ
Status: Offline
Points: 19245
The best and most obvious way for targeting Kings on softbaits is in work up or bait round up situations. Just cast into the bait fish give it some sink time and wind fast through it.  
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 8:31pm
MB View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 08 Jan 2016
Location: Northland
Status: Online
Points: 5535
True. I was thinking as an alternative to stick baits which I don't enjoy fishing very much at all. 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Muppet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 8:34pm
Muppet View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 26 May 2004
Location: NZ
Status: Offline
Points: 19245
Yeah definetly worth a go I have had some cracking days amongst pilchard and anchovy schools. If you are gonna slowly tow a big softbait I reckon paddle tails are the best, just my opinion though I have not done it for ages just casting now. 
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote DenimViper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 8:41pm
DenimViper View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 07 Jun 2013
Status: Offline
Points: 1962
Scotty ( Nirai) gave me this softy which I used off cape reinga on some kings and snapper. They loved it , albeit not a big king in the picture .it produced consistently

Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Telecaster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 8:47pm
Telecaster View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jun 2009
Location: Whangaparaoa
Status: Offline
Points: 3620
I have used those savage real eels on a 1oz sinker and worm hook over deep reefs with good results. Drop to bottom and do big sweeping retrieve.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (2) Likes(2)   Quote The Tamure Kid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Sep 2017 at 9:42pm
The Tamure Kid View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 25 Aug 2015
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 4817
Hi mate,
Mirroring what Muppet has said, i've had some luck on big paddle tails cast around marker buoys down our way. They have a weight integrated into the body of the softbait, and a great wobbling action.

I gave it a try after reading an article by a kingie specialist in Australia who swears by that method, as opposed to top water lures. He uses Storm Wild Eye Shads, and Bozos. They are about 7". I brought in some very similar Tsunami shads from the US which look great, but haven't tried them yet.

Image result for tsunami soft baits integrated weights

The likes of Uncle on this forum used to swear by the Slug-gos in 7" or larger. Coincidentally a thread on Slug-gos was revived yesterday on the for sale forum. They look similar to the long pink lure DV was using in the image above.

if you go on YouTube, there are some good videos of guys catching kingies in deep water in Australia on big Z Mans - 7-8" jerk shads. Using basically a mechanical jig motion.

And speaking of Z Mans, kayak expert and writer Stephen Tapp gave a talk at the Auckland On Water Boat Show last year and showed off a rig he uses for top water kingies - 8" Z Man Mag Swimz paddle tails which he casts unweighted in the same situation that most people would use stick baits. I got mine from the US in some nice piper/baitfish colours.

Image result for z man mag swimz
As an aside, you might like to try sinking stick baits, if you haven't already. They are quite forgiving in terms of technique, and have great actions just below the surface with a bit of a twitchy retrieve. Or maybe one of the bibbed Rapalas - X Rap. Again, you don't have to do much except retrieve.

I rig my lures with a Rapala loop knot, supposedly gives a nice action.

Good luck.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Sufishent Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 5:45am
Sufishent View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Location: Browns Bay
Status: Offline
Points: 1438
Great reply TK
You can never have enough fishing tackle
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Garry 23041 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 7:09am
Garry 23041 View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum


Joined: 19 May 2007
Location: Mangonui
Status: Offline
Points: 2231
It has to work fine if you can get a bait in front of a few kings.

I have caught lots of kingfish on softbaits as bycatch up to my best which is 15kg..
Luckily at a point far from the boat it turned and came back because the poor old softie rod was maxed out.

I have a nice 10-15kg rod and reel which is light but powerful that I have set up with 20lb braid to try this.

I like casting micro jigs because they are so accurate and have a few bigger ones I will try but I think big softies would be the go with kings.

Some nice replies to this thread...
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote makka Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 11:48am
makka View Drop Down
Gold
Gold


Joined: 05 Apr 2010
Location: Wellington
Status: Offline
Points: 779
I have had success using powerbait rib shads, they are a 4.5" paddle tail, just cast and retrieve.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Stormbringer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 1:13pm
Stormbringer View Drop Down
Platinum
Platinum
Avatar

Joined: 14 Aug 2003
Location: New Zealand
Status: Offline
Points: 1851
I make my own Sluggo style softies (240mm) and 4oz jig heads, seem to work well also work on puka ;)

Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote The Tamure Kid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 3:37pm
The Tamure Kid View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 25 Aug 2015
Location: Auckland
Status: Offline
Points: 4817
Good work, Stormbringer. Always great catching fish on something you've created (though I can only speak about my flies tied for trout fishing, not soft baits).
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2017 at 5:52pm
MB View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 08 Jan 2016
Location: Northland
Status: Online
Points: 5535
Some great replies, thanks. Good to hear I'm not the only one thinking along these lines!
Back to Top
Forum Jump
Forum Permissions View Drop Down


This page was generated in 0.320 seconds.

Fishing Reports Visit Reports

Saltwater Fishing Reports
Top of the South Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Tasman and Golden Bay snapper still running hot We are not far away from daylight... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Bay of Islands Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Variety is the spice of life On one recent trip, the plan was to spend a... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Fish where the fish are! Catching fish or just going fishing? I tackle this issue... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Inner Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 22/03/24

Thoughtful tactics required for better fish Over the course of each year the fishing varies,... Read More >

22 Mar 2024
Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites