Catching Gulf Kingfish – Fishing Adventures Florida Season 2 Episode 25

A guide to Catching Gulf Kingfish

Join Captain Sergio Atanes and his fishing companions Rolando and Ron as they embark on an exciting Gulf Kingfish (also known as Whiting) fishing expedition along the beautiful shores of Cayo Acosta. This episode features non-stop action as the team targets these delicious and hard-fighting members of the croaker family that are often overlooked by many anglers. Captain Sergio shares his wealth of knowledge about catching Gulf Kingfish, revealing why these fish deserve more attention from fishing enthusiasts. The team discovers a productive spot where Rolando had previously located a school of above-average sized Whiting. These particular Gulf Kingfish measure between 12 to 16 inches—significantly larger than the typical 10-11 inch specimens most anglers encounter. What makes this fishing adventure particularly exciting is the remarkable similarity these fish have to redfish, from their fighting style to their bottom-feeding behaviour. As Captain Sergio demonstrates, their underslung mouths and whiskers are perfectly designed for scrounging along the sandy bottom for food.

Kingfish Fishing Techniques That Work

Throughout the video, Captain Sergio and his companions demonstrate various effective techniques for catching Gulf Kingfish. They primarily use small yellowtail jigs baited with fresh shrimp, keeping the bait close to the bottom where these fish naturally feed. The technique involves a slow, bouncing retrieve that mimics the movement of crustaceans—a method that proves irresistible to not only Whiting but also attracts bonus catches of speckled trout and even the occasional pompano. The crew experiments with different approaches, including various bait presentations and artificial lures. One particularly successful method involves hooking a small piece of shrimp about half an inch from the tail, creating the appearance of a shrimp trying to escape a predator. Captain Sergio also tests artificial alternatives like the Saltwater Assassin PMV with Procure shrimp scent, though fresh shrimp ultimately proves most effective for these picky feeders.

Why Whitting are Worth Targeting

By the end of the excursion, the team has a livewell full of quality Gulf Kingfish and several bonus speckled trout. Captain Sergio emphasises the exceptional eating quality of these fish, describing their meat as “real meaty, real sweet, tasty” and comparing it favourably to summer trout or silver trout. He even suggests that despite their modest size, these fish offer more substantial fillets than much larger trout. The video showcases the incredible abundance of these fish, with near-constant action throughout the session. With essentially no bag limit (up to 100 pounds allowed), Gulf Kingfish provide an excellent opportunity for anglers looking to stock their freezers with delicious fillets. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner looking for consistent action, this video demonstrates why targeting Gulf Kingfish along sandy beaches should be on your fishing agenda.