Kingfish Jigging
Yellowtail kingfish are among Australia's premier sportfish, and vertical jigging over rocky reefs and seamounts along the south-east coast is one of the most effective and rewarding techniques. These powerful fish are notorious for diving into structure, demanding strong tackle and skilled anglers.
Target Species
Fishing Locations
- • Little Barrier Island (Hauturu)
- • Mokohinau Islands
- • Poor Knights Islands
- • Twofold Bay
- • St Georges Head
- • Ball's Pyramid
- • The Rip (Port Phillip Heads)
- • Broughton Island
- • Sydney Offshore FADs & Canyon
- • Mayor Island (Tuhua)
Fishing Tips
- 1
Read the current before you lower a jig — drift so the jig is working across current, not with it. Kingfish hold on the down-current edge of structure and ambush anything swung past.
- 2
Speed jigging (fast, rhythmic lifts) triggers reaction strikes from active fish; slow-pitch (allowing the jig to flutter on the fall) outperforms when fish are lethargic or in cold water.
- 3
Use at least 80 lb fluorocarbon leader of 1–1.5 m — YTK have extremely abrasive mouths and will saw through lighter leader on boulders and pylons.
- 4
Target the bite window around current changes; kingfish move from deep structure to shallower reef edges to feed aggressively during water movement, then become lethargic at slack.
- 5
Keep your jig weight heavy enough to stay nearly vertical under the boat — if the jig drifts behind you in the current, you lose contact and miss the strike; go heavier, not lighter.
Gear Setup
Yellowtail Kingfish
- Rod
- PE4–6, 7–8ft popper/jig rod; or PE3–5, 30–50lb jigging rod
- Reel
- 10000–14000 heavy spinning (Shimano Stella SW10000, Daiwa Saltiga 8000–12000)
- Main Line
- PE4–6 (40–60lb braid)
- Leader
- 60–100lb fluorocarbon, 1.5–3m
- Lures / Terminal
- Cup-face poppers 100–150g, stickbaits 120–180g, slow-pitch jigs 80–200g, live yakkas
- Drag Setting
- 8–12kg
Set drag hard from first run — kings will dive into reef structure