Big Game fishing in the Gulf of Mexico for Smoker Kings!
Location: North Padre Island, Texas
During late April, King Mackerel make their initial appearance of the year along Texas and Louisiana's Gulf coast. Come summertime, they are in sometimes in great numbers ready to crash a variety of baits and lures you present to them.
Below: Currents from warm Caribbean waters feed into the Gulf bringing in many species through the summer includind the King Mackerel.
Kayak Fishing for Kings and other Gamefish !
The sport of Kayak fishing has heavily grown quite heavily over the past few years. More and more anglers are taking advantage of getting out on the water without having to dish out the high expenses for fuel. Anglers from the kayak are more able to sneak up on cautious fish as well. For this quick look into the world of Kayak Kingfish, we venture to the coastal waters off South Texas. Here, the calming of summer brings clear water, and multitudes of bait to various inshore locations. King Mackerel have been caught here as close as the shallows of the beach itself. However, one of the more productive methods to find these fish is to hop in the yak and journey out a mile or two chasing flocks of feeding birds over bait, which is getting blasted underneath by predators.
Below: Bird action is great sign of possible feeding Kings ...
Upon arriving at a location filled with activity, it is well worth it to throw out a Top-Water lure. These topwaters drive Mackerel and other larger fish crazy, just be sure to use a small trace of wire to help with the vicious teeth. Also, don't be surprised if these silver missles blow out of the water breaching at high altitudes putting on a magnificent aerial show.
Below: This fish fell prey to a large top-water lure...
King Mackerel are natural predators at times reaching sizes similar to your average quality Wahoo or larger. They can often be found in schooling on on structure, or anywhere bait may be stacked up. When the feeding frenzies are on, the action can be heart pounding.
Below: This smaller King beat out a much larger one at getting to this topwater...
Duing these mass feeding frenzies, you always have the chance at one of several different predators, and you may not know which until the fish actually hits. Often, you can throw into a mix of bait like so and as soon as your lure hits the water, it gets demolished. Jacks will often show up around Kings and are excellent pack hunters which can desimate a bait population very quickly. When encountering a school of Jacks, try casting on the outer edge of the activity to increase your chances at a roaming King.
Below: A hungry King will usually investigate if not destroy a topwater if presented properly
Ribbonfish rigged with 2 or 3 hooks are a favorite amongst many Kingfish anglers. Ribbons can be drifted slowly in the current or trolled at a slow speed. Along with Ribbonfish, live baits such as hardtails and large menhaden can prove irresistible. While all of these methods produce, perhaps the most adrenaline pumped action you will get is when you see a King crash a large topwater lure such as a tuna popper.
Below: This massive King Mackerel falls prey to a top-water.
While you do not need any electronics on board of the kayak, at times it does help to have a fishfinder to detect bait down deep. If you track the activity more than likely they will rise up to the surface where the next possible frenzy may happen. Kings are fast fish, and move fast. They can cover a large area pretty quick so it is important to keep a keen eye out for the next possible spot.
Below: A true smoker King inhales a Tuna Popper
King Mackerel are commonly utilized as table fare. IF you plan to harvest these Mackerel, be sure to tire them out before handling them or sticking them with the gaff. These Kings have some of the most impressive teeth designed solely of cutting away at a food source. Safety is always an issue on the water and an accident offshore in the kayak could end very badly. It is best to just take your time with your tackle, and more importantly your fish.
While having a reputation for containing high levels of Mercury, Kingfish are often at times released. Kings in which you are planning to release require extra care when handling and a quick release to ensure the best survivability. Good practice is to leave the fish in the water if you are able to remove the hook, otherwise carefully remove the fish from the water and get the hook out safely and quickly.
Below: On light tackle, prolonged fights my result in drawing attention to even larger predators.
King Mackerel are known for having a very high metabolism. This essentially means that like Tuna, they need to continually eat to replenish their energy that they expend fairly quickly. It is not uncommon to have schools of these fish blow up and destroy acres of bait during the middle of the day with sun directly overhead to score a free meal.
Below: The business end and chompers of a Monster King Mackerel.
Kings are great sport on all tackle, but on light tackle can be a thrill like no other. These fish are well known for making blistering runs right off the bat and can empty small spinning reels in no time. In the kayak, sometimes it helps to paddle or kayak with the fish if possible to prevent a loss of line. If you lose sight of the schooling fish, wait. Summertime feedings may last all day, from sunrise to sunset. The bite will be sporadic but nonetheless keeping an eye on everything and waiting for the next bit of surface activity can prove to bring you your quality fish of the trip.
Below: This massive King is gaffed and harvested and to be put on ice as soon as possible.
Another great secret to fishing for Kings if you can't find them off the beach, is to hit the nearest structure whether it be an offshore oil rig or jetties or whatever. Kings will stack up and hunt around the rigs and will also pick off bait that is coming out of a channel and emptying into the gulf.
Below: A larger King Mackerel falls prey to a Ribbonfish drifted in a channel.
Kayak fishing can be a blast any way you look at it. If you cover ever safety aspect properly, chances are you will have a good trip. And if you find the fish and convert it into a productive outting, then it is all worth it.
Have fun, be safe, and go on for the ride of your life!
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