Fish guide
Gulf Kingfish
Menticirrhus littoralis. Also called Whiting, Sea mullet, Silver whiting.
Showing the fish for Southern North Carolina coast.
Season in Southern NC
Peak months: May, Jun, Oct.
FishOS's Myrtle Beach chart for this species (same Carolina beach type, about 60 to 150 miles south) carried north with slightly cooler water: NCEI averages at Wrightsville Beach are 52 to 58 F December to February and 78 to 83 F June to September. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Myrtle Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Southern NC | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Space Coast | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
The surf zone right along the beach, in the troughs and near the bars; piers.
On the bottom in the surf zone, the troughs and around the bars.
What to look for
Silvery all over without dark marks and a blackish tip on the tail; southern kingfish lack the dark tail tip (Florida FWC).
Bait
Fresh shrimp, Sand fleas (mole crabs), Bloodworms, Fish Bites. Two-hook bottom rig (high-low), No. 2 or 4 long shank hooks.
Leader
Light two-hook bottom rig with No. 2 or 4 long shank hooks.
Common mistakes
- Hooks too big for a small mouth
- Casting far past the fish; they feed close in
Landing
Swing it up or slide it in on a wave.
Handling
No special hazards.
Keep or release
Excellent eating. Check NC rules.
Typical: About 11 to 12 in. Large: Up to 18 in. SC kingfish (whiting) record 2 lb 12 oz (1976), all kingfish species combined.
Limits
FishOS has not checked the NC limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Florida FWC: Gulf kingfish profile (Official source)
- NC Division of Marine Fisheries: kingfishes (sea mullet) (Official source)
- Carolina Sportsman: Carolina whiting bite (water temperature, tides, baits; Murrells Inlet) (Angler knowledge)
- FishBase species summary: Menticirrhus littoralis (Official source)
- SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)
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