Spring Kings

[SnookBait]

What month would you guys say the Kingfish are in the Spring? I know in the fall October is pretty good but never tried during the spring migration.

[Rik]

Its not time, it's temperature. 70 degree water.

[SnookBait]

So keep an eye on the gulf temps and that should be the key. Thanks sir!

[SnookBait]

One more question. I have heard that you should use a swivel when attaching your line to wire leader. What knot would be the best to use in order to connect the wire directly to either braid or mono?

[ChrisR]

I use the Albright knot to connect mono or flouro to wire.

[BigFlyReel]

I use the Albright knot to connect mono or flouro to wire.

X2

[SnookBait]

Would this work with Braid to Flouro to Wire? I know alot of guys use Mono but would Braid work as well? Also, how long of a Flouro would you use inbetween your line of choice to the wire?

[ChrisR]

For Kings, I use 40 lb braid, but put a 15'-20' piece of mono on to give it a little stretch. It has been my experience that its pretty easy to rip a hook out of a king's mouth, so its best to fish them with a relatively light drag, and some stretch in your line. It's also nice to be able to grab mono as opposed to braid when you try to land the fish. You can substitute flouro, but it won't stretch as much. I'm sure you can go braid srtaight to wire if you want. I'd probably tie a bimini in the braid, and then Albright the doubled braid to the wire.

[SnookBait]

I am using 40lb braid. For the 15' - 20' of mono what lb test would you recommend? If i'm using live bait what size hooks and would you use a cirlce or traditional "J" hook when making your stinger rig?

[ChrisR]

I use 20 or 30 lb mono. remember, you'll be using a relatively light drag, so no need for anything too heavy. Hook size depends on the size of the bait you are planning on using. With smaller baits like spanish sardines or pinfish, you can go with a #1. For bigger like blue runner or lady fish, use 2/0-5/0 depending on the size of the bait. I use J hooks. I've never tried with circle hooks.

[sfurman]

Braid to mono to wire, you don't need the floro but, you can if you want to I guess.

[SnookBait]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Captain Hugh]

When I fished for kings 30 yrs ago we rigged mono on reel to a large ball bearing swivel to single strand wire to a j hook where we attached bait fish. from the swivel we attached another foot of wire with a treble hook. When king a strikes back half of bait he slides down the wire to the treble hook. Nearly all of the hundreds of kings we caught were on the treble hook.