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AZ Intimidator · 06-02-2007, 10:41 PM

The kingfish are officially in full migration in the Florida Panhandle. Fished last 3 weeks out there in Ft. Walton Beach and Destin areas. Most days I was able to limit out on kings. Most in the 8-12lb class, and biggest overall was 27 lbs, but it was good action early until about 1pm most every day. In Ft. Walton, I fished the Okaloosa Island Pier with all the local pier rats and still managed 8 kings during my stay there. All caught on 20lb P-Line Blue, 32lb single strand wire, #2 bronze treble, and frozen Cigar Minnows. Out of Destin, I chartered the boat "Backdown 2", and ended up with 14 kings in 4 hours with a 7 man crew. These were all caught within a mile of the beach, and all caught slow trolling standard double treble king rigs with live threadfin on downriggers, 6lb ball at 30ft. The spanish have been coming in close to the beach on occassion, but the kings are thick right now. If anyone has the chance, now is the time! Get a good East / Southeast wind, clear water, and you're set.

06-02-2007, 10:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
AZ Intimidator Fisherman Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ...Destin, FL...San Diego, CA Posts: 35 Rep Power: 9	Kings in the Panhandle! The kingfish are officially in full migration in the Florida Panhandle. Fished last 3 weeks out there in Ft. Walton Beach and Destin areas. Most days I was able to limit out on kings. Most in the 8-12lb class, and biggest overall was 27 lbs, but it was good action early until about 1pm most every day. In Ft. Walton, I fished the Okaloosa Island Pier with all the local pier rats and still managed 8 kings during my stay there. All caught on 20lb P-Line Blue, 32lb single strand wire, #2 bronze treble, and frozen Cigar Minnows. Out of Destin, I chartered the boat "Backdown 2", and ended up with 14 kings in 4 hours with a 7 man crew. These were all caught within a mile of the beach, and all caught slow trolling standard double treble king rigs with live threadfin on downriggers, 6lb ball at 30ft. The spanish have been coming in close to the beach on occassion, but the kings are thick right now. If anyone has the chance, now is the time! Get a good East / Southeast wind, clear water, and you're set.