C&H Kingfish Pro Buster Rig | Pre-Rigged King Mackerel Trolling Rig

The C&H Kingfish Pro Buster Rig combines the proven fish-attracting action of the C&H King Buster lure with a professionally assembled wire leader and double-treble-hook system designed for serious king mackerel fishing.

Built for slow trolling and drifting live bait, this ready-to-fish rig adds color, flash, and movement ahead of natural bait while providing the wire protection and hook coverage needed when targeting toothy, fast-striking kingfish.

Whether you're slow trolling live blue runners, threadfin herring, menhaden, or cigar minnows along Florida's Gulf Coast, the Kingfish Pro Buster Rig is designed to help turn quality bait presentations into strikes.

Pre-Rigged for King Mackerel

Kingfish are notorious for slashing at bait, often striking from behind or across the body rather than swallowing the entire bait.

The C&H Kingfish Pro Buster Rig addresses that challenge with two #4 4X strong Mustad treble hooks attached to a three-foot AFW Tooth Proof wire leader.

The rig incorporates:

• C&H King Buster skirted trolling lure

• 1/8 oz lure head

• Approximately 2.5-inch skirted lure

• Three feet of AFW Tooth Proof camo brown wire

• Two #4 4X strong Mustad treble hooks

• AFW swivel

• Preassembled, ready-to-bait construction

This combination makes the rig particularly useful when fishing natural bait for king mackerel around reefs, wrecks, bait schools, and nearshore structure.

C&H King Buster Skirt — Color, Flash & Attraction

The King Buster skirt adds visual attraction ahead of your natural bait.

As the rig moves through the water, the skirt provides color, flash, and movement that can help draw attention to the bait.

This is particularly useful when fishing:

• Clear offshore water

• Green Gulf Coast water

• Bait schools

• Current edges

• Nearshore reefs and wrecks

• Areas holding Spanish mackerel and kingfish

Unlike an unadorned wire stinger rig, the King Buster adds a visual component without requiring anglers to abandon natural bait presentations.

AFW Tooth Proof Wire Leader

The rig features three feet of #5 AFW Tooth Proof camo brown wire, providing protection against the sharp teeth of king mackerel.

The camo brown finish offers a subdued presentation while the single-strand stainless wire provides the bite resistance needed for kingfish.

For anglers who prefer building their own custom kingfish leaders, AFW Tooth Proof Stainless Steel Leader Wire is also worth considering.

Double Mustad Treble Hook System

Two #4 4X strong Mustad treble hooks provide multiple hooking opportunities when kingfish slash at or short-strike a bait.

The rig can be adjusted to match the size and presentation of the bait.

For live bait, place the forward hook carefully through the bait's nostril area and position the trailing hook according to bait size and swimming action.

Avoid restricting the bait's natural movement with excessive hook placement or unnecessary tension.

Best Baits for the C&H Kingfish Pro Buster Rig

Live Blue Runners

A strong choice for larger kingfish, especially around reefs, wrecks, and offshore bait concentrations.

Threadfin Herring

An excellent natural bait when kingfish are feeding on schooling baitfish.

Menhaden

A productive choice when kingfish are actively feeding on larger, oily baitfish.

Cigar Minnows

Useful for both natural-bait trolling and presentations where a smaller, streamlined bait is preferred.

Strip Baits

The skirt and hook arrangement can also be used with prepared natural strip baits when live bait isn't available.

How to Fish the Kingfish Pro Buster Rig

Slow Trolling

The Kingfish Pro Buster Rig is particularly well suited to slow trolling natural bait.

A manufacturer-referenced trolling range is approximately 2–6 knots, although the correct speed depends on whether you're fishing live bait or a dead-bait presentation.

For live bait, fish at the slower end of the range and adjust boat speed to keep the bait swimming naturally.

For prepared dead baits, somewhat faster trolling may be appropriate if the bait tracks correctly.

Drifting

The rig can also be fished while drifting over productive kingfish areas.

Position baits at different distances behind the boat and consider staggering their depths to locate feeding fish.

Fishing Reefs and Wrecks

Kingfish frequently patrol areas holding bait around natural and artificial structure.

Slow trolling along reef edges, wrecks, and nearby bait concentrations can be productive, particularly when current is moving.

Fishing Bait Schools

When kingfish are feeding on threadfin herring, cigar minnows, or other schooling baitfish, a properly presented natural bait can be extremely effective.

The King Buster skirt adds additional visibility to the presentation.

Choosing the Right Skirt Color

Color selection should complement water clarity, available light, and the natural baitfish in the area.

Blue, White & Silver

A natural starting point for clear water and baitfish-oriented presentations.

Chartreuse & Green

Useful when fishing greener water or when additional visibility is desirable.

Pink & White

A versatile contrasting color combination for changing light and water conditions.

Black, Purple & Dark Patterns

Worth considering in lower-light conditions or when a stronger silhouette is preferred.

Select from the available color options to match your local fishing conditions.

Features

• C&H King Buster skirted lure

• Pre-rigged kingfish trolling system

• 1/8 oz lure head

• Approximately 2.5-inch skirt

• Three-foot AFW Tooth Proof wire leader

• Camo brown single-strand wire

• Two #4 4X strong Mustad treble hooks

• AFW swivel

• Designed for natural-bait trolling

• Suitable for live bait, cigar minnows, and strip baits

• Adds color, flash, and movement to bait presentations

• Ideal for king mackerel fishing

Best For

• King Mackerel

• Kingfish Tournaments

• Slow Trolling

• Live-Bait Fishing

• Cigar Minnow Trolling

• Nearshore Reefs

• Offshore Wrecks

• Bait Schools

• Gulf Coast Fishing

• Natural-Bait Presentations

Premier Tackle Take

The C&H Kingfish Pro Buster Rig is an excellent choice for anglers who want a ready-to-fish kingfish presentation without assembling individual wire leaders and stinger hooks.

We particularly like this style of rig for slow trolling natural bait around reefs, wrecks, and bait concentrations off Sarasota, Bradenton, and Tampa Bay.

The combination of AFW Tooth Proof wire, strong Mustad trebles, and the King Buster skirt provides durability, hooking coverage, and additional attraction.

Our recommendation: Keep several skirt colors ready so you can adjust your presentation to water clarity, light conditions, and baitfish activity.

For additional trolling presentations, explore our Saltwater Trolling Baits & Lures, featuring proven lures for kingfish, mahi, tuna, wahoo, and other offshore gamefish.

Building a complete setup? Shop our Offshore Fishing Gear for premium rods, reels, fishing line, leaders, and terminal tackle.

Premier Tackle — We Carry What Works.