Kingfish are one of New Zealand's most prized sport fish — powerful, fast, and seriously smart. If you want to target them consistently, your jig selection and technique matter as much as location. Here's what's working for NZ anglers right now.
What Makes a Good Kingfish Jig?
Kingfish are aggressive predators that respond to speed, flash, and erratic movement. The best kingfish jigs share a few traits: a heavy enough profile to get down fast in current, a realistic baitfish silhouette, and quality assist hooks that won't fold under the pressure of a hard run.
Weight matters more than most anglers realise. In strong tidal current around the Hauraki Gulf, Poor Knights, or the Bay of Islands, you'll often need 150–250g to stay in the zone. In calmer water or shallower reef, lighter slider jigs in the 80–120g range can be devastatingly effective.
Our Top Picks for NZ Kingfish Jigging
Haku Kingfish Jig — Premium Kingfish Fishing Lure
Designed specifically for NZ conditions, the Haku has a slim, fast-sinking profile that gets down quickly in current. The holographic finish triggers strikes even on tough days. Rig it with quality assist hooks on both ends and work it with an aggressive flutter drop — kings can't resist it.
Makara Mauler — Heavy Slider Jig
When the kings are sitting deep and the current is running hard, reach for the Makara Mauler. This heavy slider is built for high-speed jigging with an action that mimics a fleeing baitfish. It's become a go-to lure for serious kingfish anglers around Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds.
Summer Kingfish Jigging Bundle
New to kingfish jigging or want to cover more scenarios without buying individual lures? The Summer Kingfish Bundle gives you a curated selection of proven jigs for NZ conditions — everything you need to get started or fill the gaps in your kit.
Kingfish Jigging Technique: The Basics
The most productive retrieve for NZ kingfish jigging is the high-speed crank — wind fast, pause, let the jig flutter, then repeat. Kings will often hit on the drop, so keep your rod tip up and stay alert for line twitch or sudden weight.
Slow-pitch jigging can also be effective when kings are in a negative mood — a slow, rolling flutter close to the bottom can tempt fish that won't chase a fast jig.
Depth tip: Most NZ kingfish are found between 20–60m, but don't be afraid to target them right up in the water column around bait schools, especially in summer.
Gear Setup
- Rod: A jigging-specific PE3–5 rated rod, 1.8–2.0m
- Reel: High-speed overhead or spin reel with 400–500m capacity
- Braid: 50–80lb PE braid — we stock multi-coloured braid so you can track your depth easily
- Leader: 100–150lb fluorocarbon, 2–3m
- Assist hooks: Use quality hooks sized to your jig — the OK-Pro assist hooks are built for the job
When to Target Kingfish in NZ
Kingfish are available year-round in NZ, but the best action is from October through April — spring through late summer. Water temperatures above 18°C turn them on, and the summer months around the Hauraki Gulf, Northland, and the top of the South Island can produce explosive surface action.
September is a great time to get your gear sorted before the season heats up.
All lures mentioned in this post are available in the OK.fish Kingfish Jigs collection.
