**FISHY FRIDAY FACTS** Now that our temperatures are warming, we should start seeing more Kingfish being caught off the surf. Kingfish is a species of marine fish in the family Sciaenidae (commonly known as the "drum" or "croaker" family). The northern kingfish can grow to about 18 inches, but a more usual length is 12 inches. It is a slender fish, being most deep bodied in the pectoral region. As in most bottom-feeding fish, its upper jaw projects further than the lower and the snout overhangs the mouth. There is a small barbel on its fleshy lower lip. The color is dark grey with a metallic sheen and paler grey below. There are several diagonal bars of darker color on the upper body. The diet consists mainly of small crustaceans such as shrimps and crabs. The preferred bait is usually pieces of squid, clams or bloodworms. Unlike stripers and bluefish, it doesn’t take a monumental rod to catch kingfish. A simple “kingfish” rig, which is basically an over and under bottom rig – two small hooks separated by about a foot of line. Each hook is accompanied by a colorful float on a short leader. The purpose of the floats is to hold the hook away from the line and also give some spice to the rig. They do not take to artificial lures very well. The fish has a tasty white meat. It can be broiled, baked, fried, or my personal favorite, smoked. - Barbi