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Fishing Adventure's Reedy's Rigs
How to Catch King George Whiting: Tips and Techniques
King George Whiting, a prized species of fish renowned for its tender and delectable meat, is in high demand. This fish is commonly found in the coastal waters of southern Australia, spanning from Western Australia to New South Wales, and can be caught throughout the year. Victoria’s bays are a particularly fruitful spot for catching King George Whiting . In this guide, we will provide you with some tips and techniques on how to catch King George Whiting, including bait selection, rigging, and fishing locations. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, this guide will help increase your chances of landing these prized fish.
One of my favorite winter fishing activities is targeting King George Whiting on a calm afternoon, where I dress warmly and head out to a tranquil bay. There’s a certain charm to the peaceful bay atmosphere and the satisfaction of catching these delectable fish. The excitement of feeling a subtle Bite on the line and reeling in a splendid King George Whiting is an unparalleled feeling. Furthermore, their delicate and sweet meat is the perfect reward for a day spent fishing. The trick to staying warm while fishing on the water is to wear high-quality thermal clothing. it’s important to dress appropriately to avoid getting too cold and uncomfortable.
Whiting Mastery: in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port – A Video Series
Over the years, I have created a collection of videos that feature some of my experiences catching King George Whiting in the stunning Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. These videos showcase some of the best fishing moments and tips on how to catch this elusive fish. I will embed the videos throughout this article.
While the videos showcase fishing in Victoria’s Western Port and Port Phillip Bay, the techniques demonstrated can be useful for fishing in your own local area. Fish generally behave in similar ways across different locations, and learning these techniques can help you to improve your fishing skills and increase your chances of a successful catch.
King George Whiting is a type of fish that can be caught throughout the year. During the summer months, Whiting will swim up the bays, and as the winter months approach, they move toward the entrance of a Bay or inlet system.
Unlocking the Secrets to Locating King George Whiting: Tips and Strategies
Location: King George Whiting can be found in shallow, sandy or muddy areas around estuaries, bays, and coastal waters. Look for weed beds, seagrass, and other types of structure where they might feed or hide.
Whiting tend to feed on small crustaceans and other prey near the edges of weed beds. However, the optimal area to catch them is not within the weed beds themselves, but rather in the sand holes located near or around the weed beds. To increase your chances of catching whiting, it is recommended to position your boat just ahead of the sand hole and fish back to it.
To locate these sand holes, one can simply look with their eyes as the water is usually shallow. While the sand hole may not be visible, its shadows can be seen. Alternatively, you can scout the area during low tide and mark the GPS location of these sand holes for future reference. If you are adept with sounders, you can use active imaging with a Lowrance fish finder to see the sand holes.
Searching for whiting along the edges of banks can also be productive. As the tide recedes or flows in, whiting may move up onto the bank to feed before retreating to the deeper water at the back of the bank. By identifying key locations along the bank where the fish transit through, such as channels or holes, you can set up an ambush to catch them as they make their way back to deeper water. This approach can result in longer sustained bite periods, leading to a more enjoyable and rewarding fishing experience.
Navionics is a useful tool for studying maps, and it is available as a phone app or on a PC. While the app version is handy, the PC version has more functionality and is highly recommended. Using Navionics, you can study and explore maps of waterways, identify key features such as channels, drop-offs, and underwater structures, and plan your fishing trips accordingly.
Part 1 : Video
Bait:
The best baits for catching King George Whiting are pipi, mussel, and fresh squid, either cut into squares or strips. Bait presentation is very important when targeting King George Whiting. You must present the bait correctly for the fish to bite.
The Perfect Tackle Setup for Targeting King George Whiting
My approach to catching King George Whiting differs from the traditional method. Instead of using a typical setup, I opt for a 6’10” (Samkiaki Zing Gen 3 SZG-6101SL ) rod with a fast action, and a Shimano 2500 Neave reel spooled with 6lb to 8lb braid. Although this may not be the norm, I am still able to effectively detect bites and catch a significant number of fish. I have found that using a faster action rod results in less delay when striking at the fish’s bites compared to traditional nibble tip rods. With the latter, there can be a delay that makes it harder to hook the fish, especially when the bite is finicky.
Throughout my years of fishing for King George Whiting, I have tried using various types of hooks, and they all work great. However, there are days when the Whiting may not be biting as well or when there are different types of bites. Hence, based on my experience, I have found that the most successful hook for me to use is a long shank hook. It seems to get the job done consistently.
The rig that I use to target King George Whiting is Reedy’s Tinganoster (Longshank) with a UV Flasher. The flasher is particularly effective in attracting the fish, as it catches their attention while the rig is falling to the bottom of the sand hole. As I slowly wind the bait back, resembling a lure, the fish stalk their prey unknowing that a Reedy’s Longshank hook is waiting to capture them. When I feel the bite, I quickly strike with my fast action rod, and more often than not, it’s game over for the whiting.
The flasher serves two purposes: first, it grabs the attention of the whiting, and second, it presents life to the bait, making it more appealing to the fish. This is why I always use a Reedy’s Tinganoster with a Longshank hook, as it allows me to lure the fish onto the hook quickly and efficiently
Time of day: King George Whiting can be caught at any time of day, but they are often more active during dawn and dusk.
King George Whiting, also known by its scientific name Sillaginodes punctata, is a fish species that belongs to the Sillaginidae family. It is commonly found in the coastal waters of southern Australia, ranging from Western Australia to New South Wales. This species prefers to inhabit shallow areas with sandy or muddy bottoms, near estuaries, bays, and rocky reefs, where it feeds on small crustaceans, worms, and mollusks. King George Whiting is highly sought after by recreational and commercial fishers, as it has a delicate and sweet-tasting flesh.
King George Whiting typically spawns during the winter months, from June to August, in the southern hemisphere. During this time, the water temperature drops, which triggers the fish to form large spawning aggregations. The males release sperm into the water, which fertilizes the eggs released by the females. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which drift with the currents before settling in suitable habitats. Spawning is an important phase in the life cycle of King George Whiting, as it ensures the survival and growth of the population.
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