Caranx Ignobilis - by Anthony Kruger

Anthony Kruger (the author) with a 20 Kg Giant Kingfish

Much has been written about the fighting prowess of the ocean's magnificent game fish. Marlin, Sailfish, tarpon and many other glamour species are splashed across magazines world-wide but very little is mentioned of Caranx Ignobilis. Very few anglers purposefully pursue these voracious predators yet they are to me the ultimate challenge for the lure angler.

Known to Southern Africans as the Giant Kingfish, this awesome predator is found throughout the tropical regions of the world where it is commonly referred to as giant trevally. The Australians have abbreviated this name and refer to the fish as a GT.

As with most Kingfish species the Ignobilis is usually found in amongst the foulest reef, often in very shallow water and rough seas, making them a difficult target to pursue. Once hooked it takes a skilled angler and a lot of luck to subdue the larger specimens.

Giant Kingfish are not fussy when it comes to lures and will take most metal spoons or surface poppers. The speed of the retrieve would usually depend on the sea conditions with slow and fast retrieves both producing fish in given conditions.

The most important factor to being successful when targeting large Ignobilis Kingfish is to have the right tackle. Although Kingfish are occasionally taken while trolling, the areas in which these fish hang out are not conducive to trolling and casting tackle will be required. The most spectacular method is spinning with a surface plug and watching one of these giants attack the lure, often jumping clear out the water before crashing down onto the target.

Fishing in the surf zone where there are no reefs is obviously the easiest place to subdue these massive fish and here most rods will suffice as long as the reel holds enough line. Unfortunately, the really large Kingfish seldom hunt in the open surf and one must go looking for them amongst rocks and reef, particularly in areas where strong tidal rips are formed.

In my opinion there are only two spinning rods for these areas the Purglass 350/2, preferably a custom built version and the Composite Development Graphcast IV. The Graphcast IV was specifically designed by Composite Development for Alcocks Fishing Tackle in Port Elizabeth to supply to customers venturing to Mozambique in pursuit of Giant Kingfish. Being a two piece rod, it is also ideal for the travelling fisherman.

The reel is a matter of personal choice, but I recommend it have ball bearings, a good drag and a fast retrieve rate, at least 5:1. My personal choice would be a Daiwa SL50SH, although the Shimano Speedmaster and TDL20/40 will also suffice.

Line must be the most abrasion resistant available and I suggest nothing under 40 lb. breaking strain. A good tip would be to fill the reel with a reasonable quality line as backing then fill the last 100m with your main line. The backing can be a lighter breaking strain to get more line capacity on the reel. The top 100m will be the section being dragged through the reef and will wear out quickly or be cut. When this happens you simply need to cut the damaged top section at the knot with the backing and refill the reel. It is also advisable to check this front section after every fish, a lesson I learnt after losing a large fish due to the line breaking.

Casting off a drifting boat across a strong tidal rip at the north point of Margaroque Island, Mozambique, my chisel nose plug was smashed on the surface by a 20 Kg fish. Fishing a tight drag in an attempt to stop the fish from taking valuable line the rod tip was jerked straight down into the water as I grimly held on. The fish effortlessly peeled off line as it dived for the bottom and I could only hope it would not find a reef. Gripping the rod with both hands I managed to lift the rod tip out of the water, but as soon as I released the one hand to try to recover the line the fish ripped the rod down before I could get my hand to the reel.

The fish dictated the first 5 minutes, but after that the power of the Graphcast IV began to take its toll and inch by inch, I started to recover line. By this time I was sweating profusely and wondering if I would ever get the fish to the surface. The struggle continued with the fish repeatedly diving for the bottom and after what seemed an eternity I eventually managed to get the fish to the surface and manouvre it close enough to the boat to be landed. I am not sure who was more exhausted after the fight, me or the fish!

For the next 15 minutes, all I could do was admire the striking features of this magnificent predator which lay before me. That was my first big Kingie and unfortunately, I did not release that fish - something I regret to this day.

After resting for a while, my next cast produced another bone shattering strike and the rod was again almost ripped from my hands as the big Kingfish dived for the safety of a reef. I had not checked my line after that first fish and my heart sank when it parted near the rod tip. To lose a large fish in this manner is probably one of the most devastating moments in an angler's life and something you never forget.

Later that evening I stripped the line off the reel and found it was full of abrasions and burn marks. The burn marks had been caused by the top section of line cutting into the line on the spool as the fish nose-dived straight to the bottom, running against the tight drag.

I was also fortunate with that first fish in that fishing from a boat we were able to position the boat directly above the fish, thus minimising the chances of the line being cut on a reef. Land based anglers do encounter far more larger specimens but their capture rate is drastically reduced, with the odds being stacked heavily in favour of the fish.

In addition to lines snapping or being cut I have heard many stories of swivels breaking and hooks being pulled open by these powerful fish.

Anglers must always remember that when using heavy line it is advisable to use heavy duty swivels, split rings and hooks. The gut trace between the lure and swivel should also be at least 100lb breaking strain because the Kingfish has a sharp caudal keel.

Many anglers have tried to bully large Kingfish with heavy tackle using 60 lb. breaking strain line only to have the hooks pull open or swivel snap. Often the only way is to let a large fish run against a tight drag and hope it keeps clear of the reef. Generally with large Kingfish anglers don't have a choice and many have been spooled by large specimens just refusing to stop.

Once the fish begins to tire the lucky angler may stand a chance, but just because you are gaining a few metres of precious line don't be fooled that you are winning. These brutes don't know the meaning of the word "surrender" and never give up until the bitter end. Many fish have been lost when they make that last desperate charge for freedom.

Africa's East Coast, Mozambique in particular, abounds with Ignobilis Kingfish and specimens in the 50 Kg range are relatively common, just waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting angler's lure. I hope you have the right tackle when he does and then you too can experience that helpless feeling while being dragged around by one of the ocean's meanest thugs.

To land a large Ignobilis Kingfish is one goal all lure anglers should make an effort to experience. The raw power and brute strength of this fish is the ultimate challenge for any devoted lure angler.

Author: Anthony Kruger

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