Targeting Port Phillip Bay Kingfish

by Jarrod Day on 19 Apr 2012 Back before my fishing career took off; the 70’s and 80’s were all about catching kingfish in Port Phillip Bay. The heads or 'RIP' as it is commonly known was awash with boats all seeking a good harvest from the depths.

Back then, lead lining was the most effective technique with fish of epic proportions being landed in astronomical numbers. For a few years, the kings had all disappeared, had they been wiped out or did the current not push in close any longer? No one will ever know the true reason but in recent years, these high speed hoodlums have made a comeback.

Where to find them: The RIP, located between Point Lonsdale and Point Nepean is some of the most dangerous water found in Victoria. When the tide runs, the water has to run through this area either into Bass Strait or the bay depending on the tide. At its deepest point, it is around 60 meters and comes up to 10 meters in the blink of an eye. Steep underwater cliff faces, turbulent water, ocean swells and boat traffic are just some of the obstacles faced when fishing here.

Kings love fast water and when they school up, they can be found at the bottom of these cliffs awaiting food to rush past them. Fishing here is no easy task and requires a skilful skipper and switched on anglers. Finding them is actually quite simple. A known rock feature 'corsair rock' is a usual haunt in which they can be found at its base. To do this, anglers must keep a close eye on their depth sounder watching for any etchings that may resemble fish.

Catching Bait: When fishing for kingfish, dead baits can be used but don’t often see a lot of fish. The most effective technique today is live baiting with either calamari or yakka’s. These can be caught nearby on the shallows surrounding Portsea or Queenscliff. When catching bait, especially yakka’s a berley trail will need to be established. Anglers can then use sabiki rigs or bait jigs and cast into the trail. When the yakka’s show up they will quickly devour the artificial baits on the jigs.

Fishing the RIP: The most effective bite time for the kings this season has been the last two hours of the run out tide. For some reason, this time of the tide has really switched them on and they have been willing to take most live baits. When working an area, you firstly need to find them on the sounder. Once located, the baits can be sent to the bottom where they are holding.

When fishing this area, one person must be driving the boat the entire time. The tide can tear though at up to 12 knots requiring you to keep the boat faced into the current while trying to hold on the spot. This is a very challenging task when multiple boats are trying to do the same thing. Once you do have the fish in sight, hold position and send down the baits, the bite will be fast and furious so make sure you’re at the ready.

Techniques used: Live baiting is without doubt the most effective technique. The setup consists of a kingfish sinker which is made up by using an 8oz barrel sinker with a length of 200lb leader threaded through it. This has a crimped loop at either end with a snap swivel. A one meter length of 80lb leader is attached to the snap swivel and has a live bait hook attached to the other end. The live bait is then bridle rigged through the nose which is an effective way to maximise its life in the water.

Once the rig is set, it can be sent to the bottom. Once the sinker touches the bottom, wind it up five meters and hold on. The reels drag should be set accordingly for when a bite is felt. Constantly watching the sounder, when the cliff face begins to appear, wind up the bait to check it and motor back to the site of the fish and repeat the process.

The right gear: These fish are holding is some very tough terrain and can bust your off in seconds. If you’re not rigged up with the right gear, you’re bound to be destroyed. The easiest and most useful outfit is a good quality spin reel loaded with 50 or 80lb braid. This should be mounted on a jig rid which will aid in putting the pressure on the fish to get him away from the rocky terrain.

My suggested outfit is a Shimano Stella 10,000 loaded with Black Magic 50lb Rainbow Braid and a 250g Wilson 'Venom' Jig Rod. If there is anything that will put a stop to these fish, this is the outfit to do it with.

The kings in the 'RIP' are now an annual affair. Though some anglers do get blown away by their fighting ability, it is great fun to experience such quality fishing in Victoria. While the fish are about now, with the stable weather during autumn, pack the gear and get out there to experience brutal battles at their finest.