I recently watched an episode of sportfishing magazine featuring Clayton Kirby (kingfish of the year angler) but one thing they harped on is drag and using a light drag because kings have a pretty weak mouth so I wouldn't set the drag too tight or try to horse em.

Sport Fishing Television Episode Guide - Watch Video Clips, Discover Destinations

Called lousiana kings.. really good episode and at the end they catch one that is 60lbs, but gut hooked it bad so they kept it.

 

I am spooled with 490 yards of 20# and fish from a boat. I have come within probably 50 yards of being spooled by a king. In a boat, unlike on a pier, you can chase 'em down but you have to get all the other lines cleared and usually the downrigger up so it can take a while.

On a pier most folks use 30# test. I'd say you need at least 400 yards.

I set my drag at between 2 & 3 pounds.

 

Pick your piers wisely too. Some are a lot more productive than others. Topsail and Oak Island peirs are very good. The ones down from Wrightsville aren't so bad either.

 

Off the Pier, you need all the line you can pack on a reel in my opinion, for the mere fact, that you are subject to hook ups with larger fish, such as Sharks, Cobia, Big Jack Crevalle, and Tarpon. As T.A. said, 30 # test is a good line size, and put as much line on your reel as you can.
I caught a 64 lb Cobia off the Pier years ago, and he stripped aprox. 500 yards of 40 # test, off a Penn 6/0 Senator. When he stopped, the line looked like it was not even in the water, he was so far out.
As far as line run off with a smoker, I've had a couple of nice Kings (Over 30 lbs) to take approximately 300 yards on the initial run.

 

Well, I don't know about antics, but I about got my finger taken off by King one time. We were fishing off of topsail, and I was getting ready to put one down on the down rigger. well I had let out about 10 yards of line or so, and was makeing the twist to put the line in the downrigger clip and a king hit the cigar minnow in the backwash of the boat before I could get it clipped, wasn't a smoker or nothing, about 17 lbs, BUT, if my finger had been wrapped in the line as I was makeing the twist, it could have been a bad situation!!!!! Shook me up pretty bad. Probably because most of the time I loop the line around my finger and pinch it before putting it in the clip! I NEVER do that anymore, and I'd suggest others not do it either when they are putting one on the downrigger, either that, or keep the bait in the boat until you have the line clipped!!!!!


Tight Lines and full coolers to all!!!!

 

broad, sounds like a lesson learned!!!! Kinda like when I learned as a teenager NOT to grab an oyster-covered rock to flip it over looking for bait. One nasty cut finger makes saltwater fishing a bit less fun.

 

Thanks for the tip, Broad. I usually use my finger to twist the line too, guess I had better stop that!

 

Why would you need 30lb test if your drag is at < 5lbs? Seems logical to go with 17lb sufix (breaks at 24) or 16/20lb momoi (200% breaking strength) and take advantage of the extra 50-100yds.

 

Rob when you get close to the pier and he gets a quick burst of energy for the pilings, or if he is spooling you, you'll need to put some pressure on him. I think the opinion is varied on the weight needed, but all in all you need enough to feel confident you can stay in control to the best of your ability.... I agree "actual" breaking strength is a good rule to follow when trying to maximize length on a spool... But I would follow advertised strength to avoid variables/flaws in production.

 

There are a couple of factors. Sundrop mentioned a couple - you start at 2-3 pounds then go up if needed , also on the pier you need to control the fish near the pilings. Another factor is the added drag because of the weight of the line. The further the fish runs the more drag is applied by the line itself.

On a boat most guys use between 17-20 pound test line - no pilings and you can eventually go chase the fish down.

 

There are many ways to king off piers. Some good, some bad of course. You get better with time, and practise makes perfect! You might see one guy do a setup one way and the guy beside him do it totally different. Choose your own way, pick a setup and roll with it and tweek it as you go for your own taste. I've been kingin off piers for nearly 18yrs and i've seen a lot and ignored a ton, haha. you got any questions feel free to drop me a line or come down sometime I'm down and we can fish and go over our fish stories and maybe learn a thing or two from each other.

30-40# class line....300yrds Min 1000yrds max. I use 40# round 700yrds (never know when mr tarppeee wants 650yrds of that amount to run with
Reel = 4alt on up. I use a widespool 6/0 (alt) Can't go wrong.
5'5ft rod min, you dont want a short short rod, but not too long either. 20-40lb rod class is fine.
Anchor rod = 9-12ft med heavy - heavy. A nice whip action is what you need to go flying out deep!
Anchor reel = spinning or baitcaster which ever your comfortable throwing. I use baitcaster, with a handmade custom 11ft rod. I use 17lb test line with a shock leader cause i'm a hard thrower

Rod holders well you can use what you want, but I make my own out of pure aluminum, lightweight and strong & has lifetime warranty!! lol..But depends on the pier and surroundings when it comes to that

last but not least king rigs, popoff rigs, anchors, etcetc...thats when a day of fishing turns into a lifetime of knowledge!

Reelkingin.com

 

Thanks Kingin. At the moment this surf trip pared with the headboat trip the next day has my summer adventure cash spent, but if I should be able to later in the bite, I may give you an email and we can hit the pier. Now that I have a rod/reel combo that can do it, I'd love to give it a shot.