With the water temps rising and the clarity of the bay and the many work ups I’ve seen from my office widow I knew this was going to be a good kingy season. I headed out after work one evening for a wee look to see what’s about.
After towing lures up and down the bolder bank till sunset and about to call it a night then wallop, screaming reels and the commotion of a double hook up on kingfish. The adrenaline and excitement soon become “what the hell do I do now” as the lines had crossed so I had to take both rods out of the holders to sort. For some time I had my knees firmly pressed up against the boat to stabilise myself . I held a rod in each hand with two reels screaming and me laughing hystercally. What rod do I grasp ? after making my choice I placed the other rod in the holder and went on to play the fish like it was the last fish I would ever catch , meanwhile the other kingi was still thrashing away on the other side. Once I had finally landed the first kingi after a great battle I was surprised to see the other rod well bent with fish still on, so I casually swapped rods and went to work on the second fish successfully landing it . After a quick tidy up i went home on a flat evening sea with a beautiful sunset and two kingfish as trophies.
Back at the boat ramp I ran into some very keen fisherman from Neama who had no luck that Whevening, but were absolutely blown away when they saw these two beautiful kingis, each taking their turn to pose for the camera with the fish “probably thinking of a great tale to tell their friends” Should have seen their faces when I told them to pick one to take home, that feeling of making someone so happy really topped off an excellent evening.
A couple of days later I head out again with my daughter Jazmine and her partner Callum with the intention to get them their first kingfish. After ttrolling for a whole ten minutes, there we go again , another double hook up with Jazz and Callum both on their first fight with angry kingis and me wondering how I’m to talk both of them through the fight. But nek minit Callum’s fish gets away so i had full attention on Jazz’s fish. Advice on how to hold the rod with no gimbal belt that awkward place to put the rod handle, when to wind, when to release pressure, many runs and many attempts to pass the rod on for a break (not given tho) we finally get the fish on board . Firstly feelings of relief and then the excitement followed by the banter. I still feel sory for Callum as he gets reminded often of the ones that got away.
Heading into the setting sun we made our way back to the boat ramp with huge smiles and most importantly great memories.
What a fight, what a night
