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Chasing the Gulf Kingfish may conjure up visions of
a capable boat, stout tackle, flat green summer water,
warm temperatures and a lot of reel screaming
excitement. Well that might be the case if we were
chasing "Gulf King Mackerel", also typically
called Kingfish, but none of those are necessary when
we are talking about the "Gulf Kingfish".
The hard hitting fighter of the surf that receives
little fanfare, respect or attention by most anglers.
It's scientific name is Menticirrhus littoralis, and
it is also known by another more common name along
Texas Coast and beyond. The Gulf Kingfish, typically
called a Whiting, has probably found the end of your
fishing line at one time or another if you have done
any kind of bottom fishing in Saltwater. These hard
hitting fighters are extremely challenging for their
size on light line and tackle giving many other more
popular game fish, ounce for ounce, a run for their
money. The Gulf Whiting is a member of the Croaker
family (Sciaenidae), closely related to Sea Trout,
Drum and Redfish. AAAhhh, now we are getting into more
familiar territory.
The reason the Whiting may
not be as popular as other species in its family maybe
that they don't grow as big as the others. They can
typically live from 4 to 6 years, and may reach
weights up to 4 lbs., but more common sizes will be
from 1 lb to 1 1/2 lbs and up. Their coloring can vary
in darkness and it is typically Silvery Gray on top
growing paler towards the underside and can include
dark colored markings along the side to aid in
camouflaging against the bottom. They are reasonably
easy to catch as well. The Whiting is a bottom feeder,
clearly notable by the way their small mouth is formed
to assist eating off the bottom. A small piece of
peeled shrimp is the favorite bait, but fishbites make
great bait for catching whiting also. The tackle is
simple also. A light spinning reel or casting reel
with light line, a single or double drop rig, with a
small kahle hook and a sinker is all you need. The
leader does not have to be store bought or even fancy,
a piece of leader material with 2 loops for the hooks
and one loop for the sinker is all that is needed. The
important thing is that your bait stays on the bottom
so the bottom cruising fish finds it.
Here is 6 yr old Marizza with her first Bull
Whiting
One great thing about
these cooperative little hard pulling fish, is that
they are great for helping to teach kids to fish. They
are easy enough to catch and strike quickly when they
are biting and that keeps the kids very excited and
having a great time! And the fun does'nt stop at the
edge of the water either!
The Whiting makes up in
table fare what it may lack in size. You can fillet
the bigger ones, or just cook the smaller ones whole.
The flesh is sweet and delicate and will rival more
popular fish for the plate. My favorite way is to fry
them by just rolling in flour and corn meal with a
little salt and pepper and frying crispy in a hot cast
iron skillet and oil. They make a great shore lunch
also. I just scale them, remove the entrails and
rinse. You can remove the head if you prefer, but I
like to leave it on. I will place some diagonal
slashes in the skin along each side of the fish,
season it with your favorite seasoning (I like to use
lemon pepper or a Cajun seasoning) and place them on
the grill rack. There you have a very simple and
really delicious shore/beach lunch.
Another common use for
Whiting is as bait themselves. Since it is not
classified as a game fish it is legal to use as bait.
Cut Whiting is a very popular bait for many larger
species of fish including, Drum, Jack Crevalle and
Gafftop just to name a few. Big Game Surf fisherman
will either use Whiting whole or as cut bait while
fishing for Sharks from the surf and it is also a
favorite delicacy of Redfish and Stingrays too.
My opinion is that this is
a pretty great fish for the little recognition it
receives. One thing for sure, the next time I go surf
fishing and the big game fish wont cooperate, don't
you worry! I won't go hungry.... We will be having
fried bait for dinner! Tight Lines! and don't forget
to take a kid fishing!
Here is Albert Chapa with a really nice South
Texas Bull Whiting
by Victor Delgado
aka " Whopper" on
the Surf-Masters
Saltwater Message Board
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