What is the best kingfish rod blank you have built up? I am looking to build up an arsenal and would like suggestions. Thanks in advance!!

I fish for Kingies almost exclusively through the warmer months and the best blank I have ever bought is the SEED P76 GT Blank. It has awesome power for it's diameter and is lightweight with a fast action. It is rated for 50lb braid and will cope with 12kgs or drag. They look awesome in the matte black factory finish.

They come as 7'6" but I docked the butt by 6" as I prefer 7' for a King stick. They are a two piece with the ferrule at the front of the foregrip. Butt diameter is 18.5 and 2.8 (or size 7) for the tip. The wall thickness is amazing for its slenderness. They are pricey ($450AUD) but worth it in my humble.

The other great blanks for Kingies are the GUSA dual helix SW70HP and other models around the same ratings. Another awesome blank but a little dodgy on the finish.

Trust me on the SEED.. you won't be dissappointed.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/2008 10:09PM by Chris Beverley.

Can I presume you mean yellowtail kingfish

They can be target in different environments and each of these environments is preferred by fish in different size ranges most of the time.

Throwing plastics around moored boats
Typically fish of less than 90cm length. A decent 7’ graphite blank with a line rating of 8-15kg range with alight tip for throwing ¼ - ½ oz jigheads wearing flickbaits or sluggo style lures. The rod should be built light for active casting and working the lure

Throwing lures at breaking fish in bays and headlands
Again majority of fish under 90cm but some hefty models can be mixed in with these. The light spin style mentioned above for the lighter lures can be complimented by a 7’ to 8’ blank for chucking heavier poppers and metals. Remember, in this application the fish will be very flighty so quick long casts are required. The power ability somewhere in the range of 10kg to 24kg is sufficient in most cases; more stopping power is the go fishing the headland points. Fish of around 60cm in open water are not that difficult on 2 to 5kg spin gear  and a lot of fun

Deep water
A Japanese style jigging blank in 5’4 to 6’ range is perfect to work this environment. The current and typical fish size in your regular areas would dictate the blanks jig rating and power rating to select.

Blanks
I am a big fan of American Tackle ATX/Pacific Bay PBX graphite blanks for the spin rods designed for casting and working the lighter plastic lures. Lamiglass graphite composite blanks for casting and working heavier lures. And Jigging Master blanks for jigging, hard to come by but worth it. The Hastings GUSA blanks in the 7’ to 8’ sizes that fit the casting weight and power range a re great as well but my personal preference is are the ones from the ATX/PBX range

Sorry, I meant King mackerel. My bad. Loved the other recommendations so far though!!

Southern Yellowtail aka kingfish and king mackeral aka kingfish two completely seperate beasties, with two completely different styles of fishing.

My favorite blanks were all-stars, next favorite are Seekers. I like the CLB 704, although you may have to go up to a 706 if fishing around structure. I don't fish a lot of drag, the soft tips help keep the hook from ripping out of the fish's mouth. If you are on a budget, don't overlook the glass live bait blanks either.

Phil

Sounds like a very interesting beastie as well. Does anyone have a link on more info for the king mackerel

A search for king mackeral on google will probably turn up more info than you could ever read. Here's a decent story to get you started.

[www.floridasportsman.com]

Fairly similar to narrowbarred mackeral.

Phil

Thanks for the link, thats a good article

Not familiar with that fish but apears to be very similar to our spanish mackerel

I'm with Phil, CLB 704. Rohit, they are very similar to Spanish only bigger and taste worse

Rod Blank Model # SWS597 SPIRAL WRAP Rainshadow 7'10"
Butt cap: EVABC20 WILL NEED TO REAM TO FIT
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: WHGRY-12 TAPE ARBOR USE WITH WBEC TO TRIM SEAT
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: TRI-AH20M-S Alps Triangle seat
Reel Seat Shim
Foregrip: FG500A-1.30-.4375 I like the cork fore grip but EVA is usually the choice for most.
Winding Check: BWC15
Hookeeper:
Tip Top XPPZT08R06.0
1st guide from tip top XXNZG08 Alps SS316 XN with Polished Zirconium ring
2nd guide from tip top XXNZG08
3rd guide from tip top XXNZG08
4th guide from tip top XXNZG08
5th guide from tip top: XXNZG08
6th guide from tip top: XXNZG08
7th guide from tip top: XXNZG10
8th guide from tip top: XXNZG10
9th guide from tip top: XXNZG10
10th guide from tip top: XXNZG12
11th guide from tip top: XXNZG16
12th guide from tip top:
13th guide from tip top:
14th guide from tip top:
15th guide from tip top:
16th guide from tip top:
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 3-6.25-9.75-13.5-18.5-24.25-30.125-36.375-42.625-49.75-57.5

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com