Let's kick off with kingfish and what makes these a popular target species through summer. They aren't called kingfish for no reason. It's partly due to the way they hunt for their food.

It's very rare to find a single kingfish hunting by itself; rather, you will most likely find a big school of them searching along the inshore reefs for an easy feed of a variety of bait fish such as slimy mackerel, yakkas or squid.

The way local gun anglers target these extremely tough fighting fish is different to those along the east coast, where they predominately use a jig in deeper water to excite the schools while fishing over wrecks and heavy reef. Here, we use a couple different options such as unweighted soft plastics on the top, stick baits and live baits trolled along the edges of the shallow reefs. Another technique that has accounted for plenty of kings over the years is a simple squid strip being trolled behind the boat.

It's one thing to find these fish but another for them to actually eat your offering, as they can be the hardest fish to get a hook into one.

Stealth is definitely needed in order to be successful with these ripping fish. Also, some good quality tackle that is up to the job is necessary as they will find out any weaknesses in your line, rod or reel and definitely make you pay. Stick baits and unweighted soft plastics such as the Sluggo range will require a 7ft2-8ft rod, depending on the weight of the stick bait, to punch that lure out as far as you can to avoid the fish being spooked.

Some 30-50lb braid will pull up most, if not all the size of kings we get in the south west and also allows a longer cast into or in front of the school. What brings these fish to the area is the currents that bring warm water in close. This is their happy place, which they will bask in that temperature.

Another species we see come through the south west during summer is a run of bigger than average bluefin tuna.

Even though bluefin are pretty much a year-round target species, it's the summer run of fish that brings the most excitement. With the size average pushing 20-30kg, they are a great size fish for any level of angler. These fish are mainly targeted on stick bait lures on the surface, which is a very visual way of fishing for them as they go nuts for them some days. Trolling small skirts around the outside of the feeding fish will also get you a bite or 10. Pakula Micro Uzis and Uzis are standout skirts, along with the Black Magic Jetsetter in the Burple colour.

Predominately, these fish feed on small white bait and other small baits, so downsizing your lures from kingfish size will increase your strike rate. The brighter the day, the easier they are to spot on the surface as they are simply like a big dark patch of water moving through. Although these fish are in close to feed, it doesn't mean they are an easy species to target. Some days they will not even look at a lure. Cutting your engine and drifting up wind of the fish will give you the best chance to sneak up on them.

One of my favourite summer target species over the past couple seasons has been the humble southern calamari squid.

A great sea food to eat, these tasty critters can provide some of the best fun on the inshore weed beds and reef. During the summer months they become very aggressive, as they come in close to lay their eggs and then hover around those eggs protecting them.

Even though they might not be the smartest species in the ocean, they do rely heavily on their eyesight to be able to feed and spot their prey from a distance.

The clearer the water, the better your chances of catching a feed or stocking up on bait supplies.

Fishing a squid jig is the most effective way of catching them. The question we get asked a lot is why are some jigs $2 and others $25, and what makes them better? To put it simply, the difference is in how the jig sinks and at what speed. A cheap jig will plummet to the bottom and get caught in the weed and reef. You will lose a lot of them. When a good quality jig sinks slowly, they also will sink a lot flatter which gives the squid a longer look at the jig. Another feature is the quality of the cloth or covering of that jig, as the squid have a parrot like beak that will rip the cheaper jigs to pieces in no time.

When it comes to what tackle to use, there isn't really a special rod that you really need to be successful. It can be anything from a 7-8ft rod with a light tip. Although, there are specialist squid rods such as the Okuma Epixor range of rods that are a medium action which helps propel those jigs out and also gives you extra control of the squid at the boat.

With the reels, as long as they have a smooth drag then it will be fine to target squid. If it has a jerky drag system, you'll find that you'll lose a lot more squid when they lunge and do their runs. My two favourite colours in the south west are the Leopard Shrimp in the Fish Inc Egilicious range - anything black or dark also.

Hopefully this gets the juices flowing for the warmer months and makes you want to target these brilliant species. I know I'm ready to hit them again when warmer conditions arise.

Until next week, tight lines and best of luck.