Fishing for Butterfly kingfish

Gasterochisma melampus

The Butterfly kingfish is a striking marine fish known for its elongated body and large, wing-like pectoral fins. It primarily feeds on smaller fish and squid. Inhabiting temperate oceanic waters, it can grow up to 70 inches long and weigh around 100 pounds. The species is known for its migratory behavior and swift swimming capabilities. This summary is AI generated

Water type

Saltwater

IUCN Status

Least concern

Threat to humans

Harmless

Source: Fishbase

Best baits to catch Butterfly kingfish

BiteGuide combines your real-time weather, water conditions, and target species to suggest lures and colors that'll work right now. Built on millions of real catches from the world's largest fishing community.

Fishbrain
BiteGuide App featureBiteGuide App feature

The right bait right now

Find out what lures to use, download the Fishbrain app!

Loading...Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app

Biggest Butterfly kingfish catches

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

Recently caught Butterfly kingfish

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

Blackwattle Bay

57 in · 65 lb

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

Palm Beach County Coast

1 in · 1 lb

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

Atlantic County Coast

length · weight

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

10 in · 2 lb

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

Norfolk Bay

length · weight

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

Surfside Beach

2 in · 4 oz

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

Narrabeen Lagoon

length · weight

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

Goldsee

length · weight

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

48 in · 71 lb

Loading...

Butterfly kingfish

Shire of Glenelg Coast

43 in · 11 lb

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

FAQ about Butterfly kingfish fishing

🎣 What bait works best for Butterfly kingfish?

Butterfly kingfish go for soft swimbaits and natural baits — but the best choice shifts with water conditions, season, and local pressure.

Want the answer for your spot, today? BiteGuide in the crunches real catch reports against weather, water conditions, and seasonal patterns to tell you exactly what's working right now. Download the app and let BiteGuide do the guessing for you.

📍 Where do Butterfly kingfish live?

Butterfly kingfish aren't tied to fixed cover, ranging through fully oceanic, temperate Southern Hemisphere waters at depths of 80-220 meters or more while pursuing fish and squid.

BiteGuide in the narrows it down using real catch data and conditions near you, so you know where to cast, not just where to look. Grab the app and fish smarter.

App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Most popular fish species near you