King kahawai, yes monstrous reel drag burning kahawai are on their welcome Autumn rampage, they are in feeding and breeding mode and on light tackle they are an absolute ball of fun!

Large schools of kahawai are moving around a lot. They are chasing down anchovy schools that are keen to avoid them naturally. Consequently kahawai can be in a confined area one day, and not the next. Either way they sure do provide fishing thrills, especially when other species may not be biting.

Baitschools are in good numbers in 35-40m, some solid walls of them with those big foot-long mackerel as well as blue mackerel. Both of these fish are also chasing anchovies by the looks of the sounder earlier this week.  So ‘find the bait, find the fish’ rings true.

Snapper hunters may need to head out a bit further for the bigger versions, out north and east of Anchorite way. There has been a distinct afternoon bite, therefore a good plan is to drift the 40m area in amongst the general fish life on your way out picking steady pannie snapper here and there with a teasing temptation like a Kabura. Use the effective technique of ‘Rod Holder’ for a while, one wind up from the bottom. Watch as the pannie snapper tag the buoyant tails and hook themselves. Once the bite comes on strong, head out or change out to a much more aggressive jig like the Boss, Beta Bug or Squidwing – you’ll tend to catch the bigger snapper then.

Kingfish are hounding the kahawai schools, they’re there! Just wait for the dinner gong (bite time) and choose your weapon, jigs or livebaits, and hang on!

Cheers,

Espresso.

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