Saltwater Fishing late May and into June

Article by: Capt. Rick Bennett

King mackerel will show in good numbers during this time. Most of the fish will be of the smaller size, but a few big ones will be caught. There are many places to fish for kings and there are many ways to fish for these fast pelagics. Let’s look at the many options.

Kings can be found from just off the beach all the way out to the Gulfstream. However, the majority of the fishing is usually done from around five miles out to say twenty-five miles out. Some of the more popular places would include the five mile boxcars, the eight mile ledge, the ten mile rock, the ten mile boxcars, the schoolhouse, the eighteen mile rock and the twenty-three mile rock. All of these spots are off Wrightsville Beach and there are just as many off Carolina Beach. A good chart will show you just about all you will need. As far as ways to fish for kings, let’s start with what I call fast trolling. Fast trolling is typically at five to six knots. Tackle is usually medium heavy with twenty-five to thirty pound line. You can troll lures such as size 3.5 drones on planers with fifty to sixty feet of sixty pound mono leader. You can also troll skirted or naked ballyhoo on top using ten feet of forty pound fluorocarbon leader. The advantage to fast trolling is you can cover more ground more quickly. The disadvantage is the use of heavier tackle than required for slow trolling.

Slow trolling (my favorite) is accomplished with the boat motor just in gear, usually less than 2 knots. Tackle should be a seven foot rod with a sensitive tip and enough backbone to do some heavy lifting when necessary. Live bait such as menhaden is preferred, but dead bait such as cigar minnows or sardines will work well too. Rigs are fairly simple and can be made on your own or bought in tackle shops. The most common thing about slow trolling rigs is the use of #4 or #5 wire. To make a king rig begin with about four to five feet of wire. At one end of the wire attach a small barrel swivel with a haywire twist. After sliding on a skirt, attach a live bait hook (3/0 should work well) with another haywire twist. Now using a twelve inch piece of wire run one end through the loop of the live bait hook and make another haywire twist. Then about six inches down this piece of wire attach a #4 treble hook, again with a haywire twist. The treble hook helps catch those short bites. This rig will work with live or dead bait.

Often times when trolling for kings you will have multiple strikes at nearly the same time. Kings usually travel in schools and having a “double on” is not unusual and is very exciting. In your excitement remember to stay calm and methodical as you bring the fish to the boat. A gaff is important to land a king. The small hooks on your rig are not substantial enough to pull a nice king out of the water and into the boat. I prefer a six foot gaff with a 3” hook. A four inch hook is used by many. With all the teeth and hooks flying around, be sure to use care.
We will take a look a mahi and maybe some other hot water fishes as we move into July.

Until then, GOOD FISHING!

About the Author: Captain Rick Bennett started building custom fishing rods in 1984 and became a licensed charter boat captain in 1996. Adding custom rod building to running charters he became Rod-Man Fishing. Captain Rick Bennett has also been doing fishing seminars for almost 25 years. Known as the Rod-Man, today he’s a guide for folks on their boat showing fishermen the where, how and what for catching fish. Captain Rick Bennett continue’s to build custom fishing rods. You can visit his website here or call Captain Rick Bennett at (910) 520-7661

Capt. Rick Bennett

A lifetime fisherman, Capt. Rick Bennett, better known as the Rod-Man,has retired from the day to day activities as a charter boat captain but does offer “ON YOUR BOAT” Guided Fishing Trips. Capt. Rick will show you the when, the where and the how. From rod and reel selection to terminal tackle to bait, Capt. Rick has the know how.