To catch a King

I have enjoyed chasing King George whiting for many years, and having caught them in several different areas, I've learned - often the hard way - just how adaptable you need to be to succeed.

With summer upon us and King George whiting being a popular summer species, I've produced the following guide to catching them in Port Phillip and Western Port bays. However, you can easily adapt these techniques to suit your own area too.

Although whiting can be caught all year round, they're more easily caught during summer. During winter, they're concentrated at the lower ends of both bays; but come summer, they spread to all areas. They can be found anywhere, from shallow water only a few feet deep to waters of more than 90ft with a very fast current.

BAITING UP
The most important trick is to ensure that you have the right bait for the right area. The best baits to use for whiting are pippis, mussels, bass yabbies and squid.

If I were fishing the upper reaches of Western Port or Port Phillip Bay, I'd use mussels, pippis or yabbies. These are best suited to shallow water, and if there are any whiting about, they'll jump on them.

In deeper, faster-running waters I use squid - fresh if possible - as it tends not to spin in fast-flowing water and wafts nicely in the current. When using squid, try tipping it with pippi to enhance the smell.

If you're after really big whiting, try fishing with half squid heads or pilchards. All my big whiting have come on these two baits, and although you don't get a lot of fish, the ones you do get are often giants. 

RIGGING UP
If you are fishing in shallow water, chances are there won't be much current and thus there'll be no need for a heavy sinker. This allows you to use a light rod and enjoy the whiting's excellent fighting qualities.

In shallow water, the whiting will also be more easily spooked - that's why I prefer monofilament fishing line over gelspun.

If fishing in deep water, you'll need heavier sinkers. You want to be able to get your bait to the bottom quickly, as a whiting bite may last just 10 minutes.

In the deep/fast water I use gelspun, as it allows me to feel the bites more easily and is low stretch, making hook-sets easier.

In shallow water, whiting will often be on the smaller side, and light line will get more bites. I use a Paternoster-style rig here because the terrain is usually a mix of weed and sand - your bait needs to be above the weed so the fish can see it easily.

In fast water and fishing for smaller fish, I use a running sinker rig, as it allows the bait to waft in the current. One thing to bear in mind is that the harder the current runs, the longer your trace needs to be. I usually start with a leader of about 80cm at the start of the tide, and may move up to about 1.5m depending on how fast it runs.

If I'm after monsters I'll switch to 6kg line, as the fish don't seem to mind. Even though the biggest whiting I have caught has not exceeded 1.5kg, big ones have smashed me on 3kg line enough times to make me switch to the heavier stuff.

In fast-running water, a snap swivel to attach the sinker allows you to change sinkers easily as the current increases or decreases. At all times, try to fish with the lightest sinker you can get away with; but remember, your bait must be near the seabed because that's where the fish are.

WHERE AND WHEN
So you're rigged up and ready to go. But where do you look for whiting in the bays? Easy: visit your local tackle shop. The staff there will be able to provide you with up-to-date info on where they're biting.

If you've been advised to fish an area in Port Phillip, look for areas of weed and sand close to shore. Once you've found a sandy hole, position your boat just off it, over the weedbed. This will enable you to cast your baits into the hole where the fish will hopefully be feeding.

If you've been sent to Western Port, look for the same sorts of areas; however, you can also fish the edges of banks/channels or runoffs from creeks. If you're fishing deeper water, look for drop-offs on your sounder and fish the bottom of these.

The times to fish for whiting vary. In the shallows, dawn and dusk are best, whereas in fast-running water, the first hour of the run-in tide will produce results. You'll catch fish during the tide, but once it stops, the fish will lose interest very quickly.

In areas with a big tidal movement, where water drains off sandbanks into channels, the best time to fish is the last three hours of the ebb tide. The receding water concentrates fish in the channels and allows them to feed on what's washed off the banks. Again, they seem to bite best when there is more movement in the water. 

OTHER TRICKS
Once you've anchored up, the next step is to ensure that your bait presentation is spot-on. For mussels or pippis, put the hook through the bait a couple of times so it's presented in a flat manner with the hook point well exposed. With bass yabbies, pass the hook through the tail so the yabby lies straight along the shank of the hook.

If you're using squid strips, the hook should go through the bait once, near the top of the piece. Tenderise your strips to get the juices flowing. If you're chasing big whiting with squid heads, have the hook gape well exposed so the squid doesn't jumble up and cover the hook point.

You're now ready to start fishing. Cast to a number of different spots around the area, and leave your bait in each spot for five minutes - if there are any whiting about, they'll certainly find it in this time.

If you get a bite, draw the bait away from the fish slowly. This will usually result in a firm bite, and you'll feel the weight on the line. Raise the rod gently and set the hook. Don't jerk the rod up - the hook should be sharp enough to do the job for you.

Remember to put your catch of King George whiting straight on ice so that your hard work is rewarded with mouth-watering fillets once you get home. And please, take only what you need - that way we can all enjoy this wonderful fish!

Rags - Keep a rag handy so you can grab the fish when they come aboard. Whiting are very slimy, and a rag helps keep your hands dry and clean.

Berley dispenser - When fishing fast water, you can bring the fish to you with berley and help keep them in your area.

Bait knife - This will help to open up mussels and provide you with well-presented baits.

Meat tenderiser - Softening up squid with a meat tenderiser is a great idea. It enhances the bait's appeal to the whiting.

Rodholders - If you don't have rodholders in your boat, make sure you hold onto your rod - big whiting are capable of pulling a rod overboard. Try to get adjustable rodholders that are positioned parallel to the water, as these allow for easy bite detection.