June is Jigging Time
Around this time of year - here in Sydney - kingfish move out into deeper water, into 60 metres and beyond. And those of us addicted to fishing for them aren’t far behind. We know that this is the time of year to break out the jigging gear. Here’s Dave Clark, putting our 250 gram knife jigs to work:
Super busy with work lately but finally, on Wednesday 16th, a break in the workload coincided with a good forecast offshore. John Verano, Cory and myself stopped by the Middle Head bait grounds, loaded up on live yellowtail, and headed straight for the Peak. But what they wanted was our jigs:
Two just legals came aboard fast. But a tough morning, with another five hooked - and all of them either jumping off the hook, or breaking the leader. At one point there was a massive bust up, covering about an acre of ocean. The splashes were so big and so fast that I called them for small yellowfin. We quickly went on the troll but, no joy. Two days later a client stopped by for a downrigger, and said he’d been on the boat nearby when that happened. I asked what they were and he told me, one metre plus kingfish! Two of them had followed his bait to the boat - without striking. The taste of success had me pumped so, when James T offered me a place on his beautiful Black Watch last Wednesday, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. First stop the Valiant bait ground, off Barrenjoey. Topwater marks are slimy mackerel, yellowtail are holding deeper:
Out to Texas, only to find the wind and chop going against a southerly current. And, not much quality mark showing, on the sounder screen. Neil and I dropped 250 gram jigs to the bottom - and we both hooked up, first drop:
Mine got bitten off just above the jig. But Neil brought this beautiful 97cm aboard:
But the fishing wasn’t easy, and the kings weren’t in big numbers. To top off a tough morning I started getting texts about a problem at work and had to ask skipper James if we could go back in. Sorry to spoil your morning, James and Neil. But at least we know the kings are out there. Here’s the last minute of the fight. The water was beautifully clear:
Forecast looking good right through till Sunday so get out there if you can, lads:
And take some of our jigs with you. Quality jigs at a super low price, with overnight delivery. You can’t beat that. Here’s our 150 gram range, 10 jigs for $70 including delivery:
And our 250 gram model which works so well at Allmark, Texas, the 12 Mile and the Block and Cheese:
Get out there if you can? Good luck and let me know how you go if not too much to ask
Andrew Hestelow
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