Northern Kingfish

Northern Kingfish

Menticirrhus saxatilis
Northern Kingfish

Average Weight/Length

Under 1 pound as a rule; sometimes 2 pounds. World record 1 pound, 4 ounces.

Other "Popular" Names for this Fish

Northern Whiting

Location Habitat

Surf, channels, passes, inlets and sand bars. Adults occur usually in shallow coastal waters over sand to sandy mud bottoms. Common in the surf zone and in estuaries. Juveniles may enter tidal rivers and creeks of low salinity. Feed mainly on worms and crustaceans.

Biology & Physical Description

Dark bars are more vivid than on the Southern Kingfish.

Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)

Summary of Distribution: Western Atlantic: Massachusetts to southern Florida in USA and Gulf of Mexico to Yucatan in Mexico.

Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Sport Fishing Techniques

Kite Fishing (Rig)

A Kite Fishing Rig is....

Trawling

Trawling is when....

Tackle & Baits

Light spinning, casting and surf tackle. Best baits are sand fleas and pieces of shrimp or squid. Readily hits small jigs and flies. On bright, calm days, Whiting can be sight-fished at the very edge of the surf along many beaches.

Game Rating

Game Rating : 7.5/10

Game Description :

Scrappy on light tackle.

Food Rating

Game Rating : 9/10

Game Description :

Good.