b"Live Baiting for Kingfish In Small BoatsThe mighty yellowtail kingfish. A respectable game fish that is in reach of theshore-based angler and the small boat fishos. Its been interesting to watch the evolution of techniques for targeting kingfish over the years.I remember speaking withBY SCOTT CUSHMANlegendary skipper Rick Pollock who was arguably the most successful and well-known charter operator targeting and catching trophy White Island kingfish before his retirement. He said when he first started as a deck hand, the standard leader used was piano wire and while live baits were used, the kingfish would also be quite partial to a big lump of protein like a skip jack fillet. Since then, the heavy metal craze of jigging with knife jigs and then topwater aficionados withSmall live bait tanks like this Hi Tech Plastics portable 30L tank are ideal for their $200+ hand-made Japanesetargeting kings from small boats inshore.wooden stick baits have also found a place amongst the fishing fraternity targeting these green andand landing a decent kingfishtopwater gear but whatever you gold torpedoes. from a small boat is exciting anduse, it must be in proper working For the inshore anglers who wantschallenging. The gear doesn't havecondition. I would recommend to tangle with a hoodlum, live baitingto be specialised like a stick bait24kg line and a rod and reel to suit. is still the most effective all-roundrod and reel, but it does have to beBraid is a good line to use because technique that will (on average) outsturdy and reliable. You can live baitit cuts through heavy current better fish any other technique. Hookingwith game rods, jigging outfits andthan mono. /FISHINGINGODZONE21"