Fish

Gulf kingfish (whiting)

Berrugato del Golfo

Menticirrhus littoralis

Guide by Captain Big Joe (Joe Arias)

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

Most are around 12 in (30 cm).

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: Most are around 12 in (30 cm).
Maximum size: Up to about 19 in (48.3 cm) long and 3 lb (1.4 kg). Source: FishBase
Diet: It eats mainly worms and crustaceans.
Behavior: It lives in coastal waters over sandy and muddy bottoms and sometimes enters estuaries. Young ones are common in the surf zone.

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.
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.

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

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.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits