Reports were good that whiting were biting along the Rollover beachfront, and as nothing much was happening anywhere else, a trip was quickly planned for some relaxing, and hopefully active, surf fishing that would put a few whiting in the keeper box. Arriving on the beach that afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised to find the surf flat, and inviting. Driving down to “the pink house”-(a favored fishing area for whiting)- I positioned my vehicle to block the chilly north wind and made my first cast towards the edge of the 2nd sandbar. Before I could insert my surf-rig into its beach-holder my rod suddenly validated that fishing report as a “staccato” bite of a chunky 14-inch whiting became the first that would eventually fill the bottom of my cooler. Settling back in my surf-chair with a mug of hot chocolate, I kicked back to enjoy an afternoon of surf-fishing and bird watching.
(Menticirrhus americanus) Southern kingfish, or (Menticirrhus littoralis) gulf kingfish, or referred to in Texas as whiting, have arched backs that give them bullish shapes with wide shoulders and long thick bodies of strong fighters. Silver-gray or copper in color with darker shades on the back, the southern kingfish, or whiting, also have a series of dark, vertical bars on their sides that help distinguish them from its first cousin, the gulf kingfish, which is more silvery in color and much smaller with a black tipped tail. Both, the southern and gulf kingfish have large heads with a single chin barbels and two dorsal fins with the first being tall and pointed and have uneven tail edges.
Located in the western Atlantic as far north as New York and as far south as Buenos Aires, Argentina, the southern kingfish are also found throughout the Gulf of Mexico with heavy concentrations found along the Texas Gulf Coast, but the gulf kingfish is primarily a gulf species, where both species inhabit the shallow coastal waters until water temperatures dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, where they migrate further south to warmer Gulf waters. Mostly found in the surf, whiting prefer water over the sandy or muddy bottoms found along the surf or around gulf piers, jetty’s, rock groins, old pilings, or boat basins. Shell banks with clayish bottoms are great fishing areas for whiting who like to feed within the clutter of seashells.
Both species spawn anywhere from April through August, with females scattering their eggs in open waters, where, after hatching, the young larvae are carried by currents to inshore waters where the young survive for months by seeking food and protection from predators. During this period they are heavily predated by redfish, speckled trout, jack crevaile, shark, and just about every surf species that feeds on other fish, including adult whiting.
Whiting can be tough fighters when light tackle is utilized. Best whiting rigs can be typical bass or freshwater bait casting or spinning gear spooled with 14 to 17 lb test mono-lines and rigged slip-sinker style with flat 1 oz sinkers and #6 Aberdeen hooks. Best baits are always live or fresh dead shrimp, but most whiting anglers will filet out their first whiting catch to use whiting strips for bait. Anglers typically bottom fish for whiting from bridges, piers, surf and small boats, but one of the more comfortable ways is to surf fish for them.
One little known factor about fishing for whiting is that they are excellent night fishing targets and will school up in heavy concentrations near the surf edges during the night. This is also a good time for catching the larger ones. The best places for night-fishing the whiting would be piers, rock jetties, or gulf cuts that have lit up areas near the surf-line.
Whiting, both the Gulf and southern species, are considered great table fare and excellent when deep-fried. But my absolute favorite way to prepare them is to lightly brush the whiting filets with garden mustard then roll each filet in freeze dried potato flakes. Then, in a non-stick skillet, sauté’ the filets in a tablespoon of lite olive oil until crispy brown. Serve the filets with German slaw and a chilled beverage and you’ve created a meal to die for. (Special note)- during warmer months the whiting flesh may take on a heavy iodine taste. To solve this problem just soak the filets in sweet milk for 15 minutes prior to preparing them for the meal.
So when those redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and “other” preferred surf residents aren’t cooperating, target the lesser known, but much appreciated whiting for a day of surf fishing fun and an evenings meal that will definitely satisfy those seafood cravings.
Texas saltwater fishing records list the Southern Kingfish at 3.62 lbs and the Gulf Kingfish at 2.38 lbs. This report caught me by surprise since I had caught a 4.5 lb specimen while fishing San Luis pass during a long ago February fishing trip. But that was my loss. The average size for surf whiting will mostly be within the ½ pound to one pound range, with some “bulls” going 2 pounds or better. Although smallish by anyone’s surf-fishing standards the whiting do however have thick bodies which provide some excellent filets. Presently, TP&W Dept: lists an unlimited size or creel limit fishery for whiting. So you can catch and keep as many as you feel you want to clean and eat. Having soft flesh, the whiting don’t really keep well in the freezer. But one way to preserve them for future fish fries would be to keep 6 filets per zip-baggy with a teaspoon of lemon juice. The lemon juice will help to keep the flesh firm and fresh for at least three months.
Often times, during our short, but chilly Texas winters, we are often blessed -(thanks to the gulf)- with some nice warm-up trends in betwixt those blue-bird cold fronts. It is at these times that you’ll see anglers shedding their wintry woes by grabbing their fishing gear and heading to their favorite surf-fishing areas. Whiting will be the main item of interests on their fishing agenda, but when these whiting concentrate along the surf-line they often attract other species such as redfish or black-tip shark. So as your relaxing trip to the Texas coast may provide some easy fishing, it could also produce some “vigorous” activity with those predator fish that feed on them.
By: Ed Snyder, Ed Snyder Outdoors
