b'KINGS ON LURESThis Contact Hybrid slow pitch jig was too much to resist for this kingfish.Work the bottom but also hunt up off the bottom especially if baitfish are higher in the water column.Senior writer Scottdifficult to catch (or you run out), youappealing to a kingfish (compared to a have a fall-back plan that doesnt involvesmaller lure imitating a smaller fish). Cushman looks at the luretargeting a different species instead. Using a heavier leader is also often options available to anglersIf you are already a keen lure anglernecessary depending on the location you will understand the importance ofyou are fishing. Heavy reefy areas will when targeting kingfishworking the lure in the most enticingnecessitate stronger leaders, 15-18kg A rtificial Intelligence (AI)manner to elicit a predatory responseinstead of 10-12kg leader. Kingfish over summer.from the fish. It may not take a lot ofare pelagic feeders but will also cruise adaptation to be able to target kingfisharound reefs to find food. If you are is portrayed in popularon the gear you have already. Some luresfishing in clear areas where baitfish culture as another greatlike softbaits and slow jigs are used byare schooling (over sand for example), technological tool thatsnapper anglers already, while stickbaitsthen lighter leader is okay but dont go will propel humankindand knife jigs will require more dedicatedlighter than 10kg as any fish you want forward.Although thegear to effectively use them. Lure fishingto release may not survive if fought story lines of someis exciting because you invariably get ato exhaustion.movies, show AI mayrod bending smash when the kingfishThe go big approach for softbaits be our demise becausedecides your lure is its next meal.works but there are times when machines will startmatching the natural food source will thinking for themselves and then realise,BIG SOFTBAITS be more successful as kings can be they dont want us around. Some methods like softbaiting and slowselective (like other species) and if they Lures are a form of artificial bait andjigs when targeting kingfish will take bigare feeding on pilchards or anchovies can be effective at taking fish such as thesnapper as well. then the same colour/size is important cunning kingfish with a bit of intelligentTargeting kings with softbaits isnt a lotto fool them. Z-Man softbaits are an strategy. They are like the AI of thedifferent from targeting snapper. Theresexcellent choice, especially the Jerk fishing world.The advantages are youa few considerations, scaling up to aShadZ model. I can also vouch for the dont have to have a live bait tank handylarger 6 or 7 softbait is a good placesmaller sized PaddlerZ tails, especially (good for small boats) and when bait isto start, a bigger lump of protein can bethe pearlescence colour. 12FISHING IN GODZONE JAN/FEB 2022'