Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Kingfish or Whiting

GULF KINGFISH - Menticirrhus littoralis Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS

Often referred to as Whiting
Description: similar to the Southern Kingfish but caudal fin has a blackish tip; side silvery, without dark marks; tip of spinous dorsal fin often dusky; lining of gill cavity silvery; scales on chest noticeably smaller than those on side.
Size: to 46 cm (18 in.).
Where found: at water’s edge, in surf.

SOUTHERN KINGFISH - Menticirrhus americanus Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS

Often referred to as Whiting
Description: grayish brown above, with silvery sides: 7 to 8 diagonal dusky bars or blotches on each side, but these marks are obscure and never form V-shaped marks on side; scales on chest about same size as those on body.
Size: to 38 cm (15 in.) and 1 kg (2 lbs.).
Where found: shallow coastal waters; common along beaches.