Fish guide
Gulf Kingfish
Menticirrhus littoralis. Also called Whiting, Sea mullet, Silver whiting.
Showing the fish for Tampa Bay and Sarasota, FL.
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
Surf zones along the barrier beaches (FWC).
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
Florida rules apply.
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 FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Florida FWC: Gulf kingfish profile (Official source)
- Carolina Sportsman: Carolina whiting bite (water temperature, tides, baits; Murrells Inlet) (Angler knowledge)
- FishBase species summary: Menticirrhus littoralis (Official source)
- NC Division of Marine Fisheries: kingfishes (sea mullet) (Official source)
- SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)
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