b'KINGFISHSlow trolling live baits in the shallows is an effective way to target kingfish, editor Matt Hewetson looksThe Lowrance HDS helps find the bait fish which is then targeted at this highly productive method. with small jigs like Fleas or Z-Man softbaits to fill the live bait tank.K ingfish are mastersanglers often encounter these residentgenerate content for the magazine.The at exploiting theiryellowtails hunting the weed lines whenOceanpro EVO 4.6m centre console environment to findthey set up on a good ledge and berleywith Mercury 60hp which is featured and attack bait fishup.It is common to have kingfish cruisein this very issue.On the very first from deepwater reefs,into the berley trail scaring all the baitfishing trip out in the vessel in mid-head lands, wharves,fish and smashing a floating pilchard baitMarch we launched from Pauanui, I and harbours as theymeant for a snapper. headed out with boat builder Mike Bush are found throughoutKingfish found along the shallows havewho was keen to down tools and get a Godzone.Many boaties head out froma beat they like to patrol and if you spendmornings fish in as he had been busy their ramp and go wide in search ofthe time towing live baits along suchbuilding boats.kingfish while often, resident kingfish canlikely looking areas, you will encounterThe plan was to catch live baits on be found just along the coast cruisingthem and you will be surprised howlures and then slow troll for a kingfish, the shallows. quickly the action can happen. after we had caught a few snapper first.These kingfish are hoodlums of theWe crossed the Tairua bar and hadnt coastline and prey on bait fish such asLUCKY NEW BOAT travelled more than 100m and could piper, mullet, mackerel, and kahawaiRecently we acquired a new boat forsee the water erupting with schools of found living here.Most land-basedhelping us to get on the water andkahawai chasing anchovies.10FISHING IN GODZONE MAY/JUN 2023'