Kings/Mahi

[OBXfisher1]

I know that kings and mahi are two completely different species but im looking to attempt to catch both this summer in my 18' cc. What is the closest to shore that the dolphins come? and as far as kings what techniques would you recommend?



Thanks and tightlines
Spenser

[secondtonone]

For kings I have always been a big fan of cigar minnows on Hank Brown Hookup lures with a treble stinger added pulled up and down at 3.5 to 4 knots.

Doplhin will be in at the 5 to 10 mile range in the summer at least off of the Crystal Coast area. I started with an 18' CC and picking your days you can have lots of fun and catch lots of fish.

[richard labounty jr]

find a tide line 5 to 12 miles from the beach .put out three or four different colors of trolling baits.rattle jets in pink and green are best for the mahi's add two or three plainer rods with various size drones.some days smaller is better.add some sea witches in blue and white or mylar colored.i have had good luck with a blue and white tiger stripped daisy chain for both the kings and mahis.pick your days two or three days of light easterly breezes will bring a nice temp break and weed line closer to the beech.off hateras inlet you will find 80 degree water well within reach.but look for color change and weed lines.have caught both same day within a couple miles of the beech, but usually ten miles out the norm on good weather patterns.rattle jets really close to the boat.daisy chains just outside the whitewater,put some witches way way back.be versatile in colors but usually pink and green rattle jets will get them mahis. keep some chumm cut up and on ice and watch the tide line as you cruise down it about 6 to 8 miles per hour.when you see two or three mahis schooled up under a board or bucket or pallet or whatever. throw them some chum slow down and when you hook up the first one really chum em good.leave one hooked in the water at all times this will keep the school close and interested.kings will hit them spoons as well as the mahis.i keep two or three sizes out until i see what size they want then i change over.these are things that have worked for me and i do not profess to be a pro.these things have worked for me more then once.most kings i have caught have been in atleast 120 feet of water when trolling.usually around some structure or a hump or ball of bait.keep a buctail rod handy as cobia season is getting ready to go off the hook.hope this helps you.

[OBXfisher1]

Thanks alot really appreciate the good info[grin]

Will post a report if i ever get a good day to try it...around the end of june-mid july im assuming would be the best time.


TIght lines

[richard labounty jr]

actualy know is a good time you just have to have the cooperation of the weather.kings and gaffers are being caught daily out of hateras and oi.soon the mahis will be thicker but smaller and the kings will still be around but not as many.around sept or october the kings are thickest but the weather is harder to line up then.we caught both every day pretty much all summer but now and in the fall were the best days for numbers and size.if you wanna hook up one day let me know.I am almost finished with all my bs i have to get done and am making the final preperations on my boat for some blue water fishing.do you have a gps on board?the smell wreck was really productive for kings and mahis on a regular basis for us last year.thats about 13 miles out of hateras.Whats your fuel capacity?I saw a 20 foot carolina skiff at the diamond light last year.He had more cohoonies then i will ever have as it was a semi ruff day.There is a shoal about 8 miles outside oi that had a lot of kings on it last year off and on again. just whatch the weather and catch two or three days with light easterly winds in a row this will blow the warm water closer to the beach and usually bring some real nice tide lines in that them mahis love to hang on.I have bailed dolphins within 4 miles of the beach on a regular basis.

[OBXfisher1]

Thanks alot this is all great info. I do have a gps and my fuel capacity is 35 gallons. During striper season i also took an extra 5 gallon tank just to be safe but never had to use is and we made 20 mile one way runs out of OI. Can you post the coordinates for the one out of hatteras? If its a secret honeyhole ill definetly understand[tongue]
What size boat do you have going 13 miles off?


Thanks alot,
Spenser

[richard labounty jr]

the smell wreck is on all maps ill have to get my map out and im not at home right now.I have a 25 foot hydra sport with twin 200 hp and 156 gallon tank.When i get home ill get the smell wreck coordinates for you.

[OBXfisher1]

sounds good i appreciate all the help...