Yellowtail Kingfish

(Seriola lalandi)

Common Names

Kingfish, Yellowtail, King, Kingy, Hoodlum, Bandit

Description

A powerful pelagic fish, characterised by its bright yellow tail. The coloration, which varies slightly between individual fish, is usually dark green or blue on the back, chading through metallic blue-green to silver to white on the belly. A distinct gold to yellow stripe runs along each flank. The dorsal fin is dark green or blue tinged with yellow and bright canary-gold. Other fins are off-white or yellow.

Size

Schools of Kings ranging between 1.0-4.0 kilos are often encountered; schools ranging from 6.0-12.0 kilos are also encountered, though less frequently; whilst schools ranging from 15.0-30.0 kilos tend to be rather infrequent. Kings can grow to a size of 60.0+ kilos.

Habitat

Kings are found in cool temperate and sub-tropical waters off Australia, New Zealand, and Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. They mainly frequent the waters around offshore reefs, pinnacles and island inshore reefs, large bays, and even deep estuaries. They prefer fairly clean water with temperatures of 18C plus. They are drawn to structures such as drop-offs, markers, bouys, wrecks, wharves.

Feeding

Kings prey on small-medium fish such as slimy mackerel, garfish, mullet, pilchards, frigate mackerel. They love squid. Smaller Kings eat prawns, crabs, small fish.

Fishing Techniques

Kings are a strong, exciting gamefish that fight hard. They will attack live & dead baits, and lures. Using live bait (such as the fish mentioned above) with no sinker on your line is the best way. Also, slow trolling baits or large diving minnow lures and metal jigs. Hooks size 4/0-10/0, 6.0-24.0 kilo fishing line; a good size rod to use is a GB1800 Uglystick with 6500 Shimano Baitrunner reel.

Eating

The smaller ones are alright to eat, however the larger Kings tend to be drier. Personally, I used to let the larger ones go because they are not very good eating.

Legal Size & Bag Limit

New South Wales: Bag Limit = 5
South Australia: Legal Length = 40cm
Queensland: Legal Length = 50cm