There is something about Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi lalandi) that all anglers love, maybe it's the challenge? Give these things a chance and they will take you to the cleaners. Maybe it's there stunning physical form? Or maybe because it's hands-on fishing where you are holding the rod when the fish takes the live bait or smashes into the jig? Whatever it is these fish are probably New Zelands most targeted game fish and the stories of the one that got away far out number the trophies. Like the Stripped Marlin New Zealand enjoys the largest Yellowtail Kingfish in the world and thankfully the charter fleet and recreational fishers in NZ practice Tag and Release with these fish on a regular basis; which is great when thinkng about tomorrow.

The largest specimens tend to be taken on live baits but the recent revival of speed jigging and the arrival of mechanical jigging has seen some very big fish taken on metal jigs. However a Kingi will take almost any bait in different circumstances with their favourite natural baits being freshly caught squid. Make sure your gear is up to the challange as we've had Kingi's work Big Game gear harder than their larger cousins. Rod, Reel, Line and knots all need to be perfect.

If you want big kingfish then New Zealand is the place, from Northland, Auckland, the Bay of Plenty, Waihau Bay, and at the Three Kings Islands, anglers can expect to tangle with 25kg Yellowtail kingfish and be ready for when that 40 kg brute comes along.