KAYAKING FOR KING GEORGE WHITING & SNOOK

Jordan Saliba passes on a heap of useful hints and tips to make your ‘yak fishing more successful and enjoyable.

Kayak fishing in South Australia provides the perfect blend of excitement, serenity and challenge. With access to shallow water and ‘hard to reach’ spots, a kayak opens a whole new world of possibilities for anglers in pursuit of their dream catch. In this article I will be focusing on two species in particular – the famous King George whiting and snook. I will cover ever y thing you need to know, including preparing your vessel, getting to know our target species, tackle, weather, tips and tricks and so much more!

SETTING SAIL – PREPARATION IS KEY

Before you set out on your adventure, preparation is essential. I always bring a checklist with me to ensure I have all my gear and make sure it is in suitable condition. First, I start with making sure my kayak is in good condition, with no major damage that may affect stability or movement.

Secondly, I will go through and make sure I have my fishing rods, tackle boxes, paddle, life jacket, icebox, bait and any other essential items I may need to use out on the water.

Something I don’t think enough people do is let family or friends know what time they are planning on entering the water and getting off it. I will always give a message to two or three people before I head out, which may look like: “Hi (friend or family), I have just got on the water at (location). I plan to be back on land at 4pm. I will contact you as soon as I am safely back on land”. This can be a basic template to use, which may just save your life one day.

Bringing a litre or two of water and a few snacks can also be a great way to keep your energy levels high and prevent serious life-threatening situations such as fainting and nausea. Always remember, you should never compromise your safety when fishing, even if that means losing a bit of time on the water.

GET TO KNOW YOUR TARGET SPECIES KING GEORGE WHITING

One of, if not the most targeted species here in South Australia, these highly prized table fish aren’t just known for their ridiculous prices at the fish shop. They also put up one of the most chaotic fights if you’re chasing them on ultra-light gear.

King George whiting are predominantly found in bays and coastal areas. They thrive in sandy systems accompanied by seagrass-covered bottoms, where they can feed on small worms and crustaceans. While most fish caught in South Australia range between 28-50cm, an adult King George whiting can grow up to 72cm! The legal size for King George in South Australia is 32cm and a bag limit of 10 per person. So, always make you are following the rules and regulations to ensure a healthy future for this species.

King George whiting are recognisable by their long, slender bodies, silver y cover with brown dark spots along their flanks. They vary quite a lot from appearance of the yellowfin whiting, which can be commonly mistaken by anglers just starting out. Whiting can be known to be quite pick y when it comes to bait, but most of the time, throwing out some freshly caught squid, worms or cockles will entice a bite.

When it comes to reeling one of these guys in, you will know straight away if you have a King George on the line with their famous stubborn attitude. Once hooked, they will start off quite relaxed, but will quite quickly let you know that they are up for the fight! Big headshakes, an appetite to run, and run a lot, these things will spin your reel like nothing has before – if we are speaking about pound for pound. If you are a viewer of my YouTube channel @ JordanSAFishing, you will see the true grunt of these fish when you get on their bad side!

In SA the best time target King George whiting would be October, November and December, when they are more available to anglers. They can also be caught in July, August and September, but may not produce in huge numbers. However, the bigger models are known to be caught in these quieter months, so if you are chasing that 50cm brute, you should consider a trip during that period!

SNOOK

Snook are sleek, aggressive predators which are a popular target species for anglers here. They inhabit shallow inshore waters, reef and rock areas near seagrass beds or our coastal jetties. However, some absolute monsters have been caught in deeper water.

Snook are recognised by their elongated bodies, silver sides and famous sharp teeth, which are every angler’s worst nightmare! They can get up to a metre long, but most catches vary between 40-60cm. Remember, the legal size for these fish is 45cm, so make sure you put them on the brag mat before inviting them into the ice slurry!

Snook are mostly caught during the warmer months and are hooked more regularly during low light periods around dawn and dusk. However, I have had great success targeting them mid-day by trolling around varying size lures in 3-4.5m of water.

While not being as prized as King George whiting for eating, snook are worth keeping for a feed, as they have firm, tasty flesh when cooked fresh. Oli Wood and I enjoyed some snook over the coals on our recent kayak fishing mission and it was a true winner!

NAVIGATING GROUND AND READING THE TIDES

When targeting King George whiting and snook, navigating the right spots to anchor down or troll will be a crucial factor in finding the fish. For King George whiting, seagrass beds, broken bottom and drop-offs will be the most favourable zones to throw down a bait. While snook favour rocky structures and reef, from recent experience they can also be caught in your favourite whiting zones. Before anchoring down or trolling I will first use my sounder and cover a decent amount of distance, marking potential spots where I think fish will hold. After this process I go back to the first spot that I marked and put my theory to the test. If the spot is successful, I will anchor down and fish it until it goes quiet, but if it isn’t producing, I will move on to my next spot that I marked earlier on.

Timing the tide is very influential in whether you’re going to have a successful trip or not, so get the note pad out! There’s on old saying going, “no run, no fun”, which could not be any truer. Through many years of fishing, time after time it is proven that fishing a dodge tide or very small tides are nowhere near as effective as that big incoming or outgoing.

A rising or high tide will bring in the whiting closer to shore to feed and this is where fishing the shallows with your kayak will be most effective. An outgoing tide is more often a job for deeper water, as the fish will start to make their way back out as the water levels decline. Snook also become a lot more active in greater tide movement, so keep this in mind for your next mission.

WEATHER PATTERNS

Understanding the conditions, such as ideal water temperature, wind and time of the day, are important factors which make a good trip from a bad trip.

The ideal water temperature for both King George whiting and snook varies from 18-24 degrees. These species will be a lot more active in these moderate temperatures, especially during the warmer months which are upon us. This is where they will move into more shallow waters to feed. Outside of this temperature range, particularly in cooler months when the water is cold, they tend to become a lot less active, making them a less targeted species with anglers.

The best time of the day for King George whiting is typically known to be early morning and late afternoon. However, I have always prioritised the time of the tide, which we discussed earlier on in the article. So, if I had to choose the perfect time of the day to chase these fish, I would be looking at when the greatest movement in tide is.

For snook, I have found that their most active times are low light conditions when they seem to become a lot more confident in hunting their pray. However, if you aren’t confident fishing in low light conditions off the kayak, again, look at the greatest movement of tide in that day and fish that. The tide method worked wonders for Oli and me on our recent kayak trip, which is on my JordanSAFishing YouTube channel.

Lastly, be mindful of the wind. Wind has a love/hate relationship with us anglers here in SA. One weekend it’ll give us the glass-off conditions which we all crave, but then it can also flick the switch and blow you off the planet. I feel comfortable being out on the kayak anywhere from 0-20kph, but it’s important that you understand what your own comfort zone is. So, anything under 20kph I will head out, regardless of wind direction. For whiting and snook, a good stir in the water is a great way to trigger feeding, especially when there is a slow tide, or the water is too clear. So, if you are comfortable fishing in a bit of a blow, expect the bite to be hot!

TACKLE TACTICS

When targeting species such as King George whiting and snook, selecting the right rod can make it not only more enjoyable, but increase your catch rate. For whiting I am an ultra-light enthusiast, using a 5’6 PE 0.4 rod paired with a 1000 sized reel with 6lb braid. This allows me to feel the gentlest of bites and gives me a better indication of when to strike. Having the ultra-light sensitivity has made my trips more successful and gives you a thrill when those 35cm+ whiting go for a run!

For snook I like to use a medium/light set-up consisting of a 6-7’2 rod length paired with a 2500 size reel so I can carry slightly heavier braid (12-15lb). Having the extra length also gives you that ideal trolling position to get the lure working properly, and having that confidence to set the hooks once you feel that weight on the rod.

Selecting the right hook for whiting is something that has taken years of trial and error – from circle hooks, long shanks, octopus, you name it! However, I have finally found my favourite type of hook – a size 2 octopus hook from Black Magic. I have found that my hookup rate is a lot more consistent with these hooks and nine times out of ten will pin them perfectly in the corner of the mouth, making it a lot easier to release the undersize fish. These hooks have also worked great for me when targeting snook on bait!

Buying rigs from the tackle store can get very expensive, especially during the peak season, so that is why I learnt how to tie my own rigs. Not only is this a more cheap and affordable method for anglers, but once you master the art of it all, you can create customised rigs which will outperform any rig you buy from the shop!

All you need for this is 12lb leader, your favourite hooks, a light sinker and small swivels. After some trial and error, I know always tie a two-hook paternoster rig, having one hook up near the swivel and the other about 7-10cm above the sinker. Having your hooks in difference depths is a great way to see if they are feeding strictly off the bottom or are aggressive enough to swim up to that top bait. If you are keen on learning how to tie your own rigs too, I found YouTube very helpful in learning how to tie all the different knots.

Tackle storage is something that I have put a lot of thought into over the last few years of kayak fishing and I have found that keeping it simple is the way to go. With limited space, it is essential to keep all your items organised and close by, so they are accessible when you need them.

I have a waterproof bag attached to the back of my seat, and this where I keep all my personal belongings and things I want to keep dry like keys, phone etc. Underneath my seat is where I keep my squid jig case and one, yes one little tackle storage box where I keep everything, including rigs, lures, swivels, hooks, leader and anything else I may want to use. Having everything I need so close to my seat makes it so much easier to get what I need quickly and safely. I then utilise the in-built rod holders to store my net and additional rods, so they stay out of my way.

TREAT TEMPTATION

Catching your own bait guarantees Catching your own bait guarantees the perfect freshness to entice whiting or snook. I will also head out an hour early to target fresh bait as nothing beats the good old squid! Squid are dynamite bait, not just for King George whiting and snook, but for all species and are not that difficult to catch. The long tentacles, also known as the candles, are by far the best part to use, as they provide a soft texture which the whiting enjoys slurping down! The hood and wings are also a great second option if you cut them into little strip baits about 6cm long.

When baiting up the squid, there are a few things to remember to maximise your hook-up rates. Start off by putting the end part of the strip through the hook and then go through one more time, leaving a long dangly lollypop ready to get destroyed! Doing this leaves great hook exposure and creates a more visual enhancing bait which can get the fishes’ attention when they are not feeding as hard. This technique has worked great for both King George whiting and snook.

MASTERING THE ART

Once your bait is in the water, many people tend to leave the bait very still with little movement. If the whiting are on a hot bite, this will be an effective method, but for days when they aren’t jumping on the hook you need to get a little more creative.

Once I have cast and don’t get instant bites, I will do a decent little rod lift and then let the bait drop back down onto the sand. What this does is disturb the sand and mimic other fish feeding, which can attract other whiting to come in and see what the fuss is about! This has paid dividends for me on slower days and is a great way to start your own little feeding frenzy beneath the kayak!

TROLLING TECHNIQUES AND LURE CHOICE FOR SNOOK

Trolling for snook from a kayak can be a super exciting and productive technique when done correctly. The number one key is to use a lure that mimics the natural prey that the school feed on in that zone. So, diving minnows such as the Double Clutch are a great imitation of what they feed on.

Start by casting behind your kayak and then start paddling with your bale arm open to let the lure sit about 20m or so behind. Once your lure is in position, close your bale arm and paddle at a medium pace until you can feel the vibration on your rod, which will tell you that the lure is submerged and working its magic. Your next step is to try and maintain that speed and wait until you feel any hits or weight. Once you think a snook has jumped onto that treble, give a nice firm hookset and enjoy the fun! You can also play around with your trolling methods, such as giving the rod mini twitches while paddling to give the lure a more darting action, which can fire up the snook when they’re playing hard to get!

FROM SEA TO SIZZLE

It is no secret that King George whiting are the most popular eating fish here in SA, but snook are a species that a lot of people sleep on. Yes, I am not going to lie and say that snook tastes better, but if you have ever had fresh snook either baked, fried or slow cooked over the coals, you will understand what I’m talking about.

Snook will give you a firm, white and sweet flesh with only the slightest fishy taste, but not enough to turn you away. Meanwhile, King George whiting are a bit softer in the flesh and have zero fishy taste, which is what makes them such a popular choice on the table.

My favourite way to cook King George whiting would be a very light beer batter or the good old Panko crumbs, whereas for snook, I like to gut it, score the sides and bake it while covered in lemon, butter, salt, pepper and paprika. If you have the luxury of cooking it over the coals, it is genuinely next level.

YORKE PENINSULA TRIP WITH OLI WOOD

Recently, Oli and I headed out to the stunning Yorke Peninsula to chase King George whiting and snook ourselves. We stay for one night so fished two whole days and ended up being super successful.

Day one started with a quick session for squid, which was our bait preparation. All we wanted was one or two, which would be enough for bait. Soon enough, we had our bait and headed out to our first mark, which was a nice big sand hole that dropped off around some seaweed beds. Bang! On my first cast the candle on the end of my size 2 octopus hook got smoked by a good sized whiting to kick start a great session. After no longer than an hour and a half Oli and I had both bagged out on whiting, having our ten each in the esky.

After our whiting haul, we then thew out our Double Clutches and began trolling for snook with the techniques talked about earlier in this article. With choppy water, medium water clarity and a fast-moving tide, it was fish after fish! With our fun on the snook done, we headed in for a nice feed of snook over the coals and called it a night.

Day two was much of the same. Using all the techniques and theories mentioned above, we didn’t struggle to get our ten fish quickly and move onto the snook again. In the late afternoon we headed back onto shore, packed up the kayaks, collected our rubbish and steamed back home – but not without stopping at ‘Kipling’s Bakery’ for their famous stay chicken pie!

CONCLUSION

Kayak fishing for whiting and snook is not just a thrilling outdoor activity, it’s a unique experience that can be done by most if you utilise the tips and safety methods spoken about. Paddling through these scenic SA waters has really opened my eyes to what a beautiful part of the world we live in. The challenge of targeting these sought-after species is what adds that exhilarating element to this must-try application of fishing.

So, grab your kayak, gather your fishing tackle, and go find those hidden gems waiting to discover. You’ll soon learn why kayak fishing for whiting and snook is an adventure worth taking! If you want to reach out and ask me any questions, contact me on YouTube or Instagram @JordanSAFishing. Tight lines, Jordan!