Fish

Gulf kingfish (whiting)

Berrugato del Golfo

Menticirrhus littoralis

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

10–14 in.

Depth

2–8 ft, in the first trough.

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon; night fishing from piers works well.

Found in

6 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Long, silvery-gray body without bars, a single short chin barbel and a flat belly.
Typical size: 10–14 in.
Maximum size: About 20 in.
Diet: Small crabs, sand fleas (mole crabs), shrimp, worms and clams.
Behavior: Cruises the surf troughs, sandbars and pier pilings in schools, rooting food out of the sand.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Florida Atlantic Coast, Florida Gulf Coast, Northern Gulf (AL–TX), Mexico Gulf Coast, Georgia & South Carolina and North Carolina. The surf zone of sandy beaches — more than any other kingfish.
Habitat: The surf zone of sandy beaches — more than any other kingfish.
Depth: 2–8 ft, in the first trough.
Fishing depth: 2–10 ft in the first and second surf trough, or around pier pilings.
Best season: Spring and fall runs are best along Florida and Gulf beaches; many are around all year.
Best time: Early morning and late afternoon; night fishing from piers works well.
Best tides: Rising tide into high tide fills the troughs and brings fish close.
Best weather / conditions: Light to moderate surf; a little wave action stirs up food. Avoid heavy shore break.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Sand fleas (mole crabs), shrimp and clam.
Best artificial lures: Fishbites sand flea or shrimp flavor.
Tackle setup: 9–11 ft surf rod with a 4000–5000 spinning reel, or a 7 ft rod from piers.
Hook size: #4–1/0 hooks (small circle or long-shank).
Line: 12–20 lb mono or braid.
Leader: 15–20 lb mono or fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: The surf zone of sandy beaches — more than any other kingfish.
Rig up: 9–11 ft surf rod with a 4000–5000 spinning reel, or a 7 ft rod from piers. 15–20 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Sand fleas (mole crabs), shrimp and clam. Lures: Fishbites sand flea or shrimp flavor.
Fish it: Short casts into the first trough with a double-drop pompano rig.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon; night fishing from piers works well. Rising tide into high tide fills the troughs and brings fish close.

Fishing techniques: Short casts into the first trough with a double-drop pompano rig.
BigJoe's tip: Many anglers cast too far — whiting are often right at your feet.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Cook fish to 145°F (63°C) — the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. Fry, grill, bake or blacken.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Spines on the back can poke — grip from behind the head.
Regulations: Check local rules — usually no special limits. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits