King Mackerel

Season in Alabama

Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug.

Gulf Shores tourism: kings in spring, summer and fall at the Gulf State Park Pier; Great Days Outdoors: mostly from the pier's end octagon. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

The end octagon of the Gulf State Park Pier, on live baitfish free-lined with an 18 to 24 in steel leader (Great Days Outdoors).

Beyond the pier end.

What to look for

Clean green water at the pier end, bait schools.

What to throw

Swimming minnow plug (Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow style)3/4 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in. Steady medium retrieve with occasional twitches and pauses.

Bait

Live menhaden (pogies), Live bluefish or mullet. Trolley/anchor rig, #4 to #6 wire stinger with 2 to 3 trebles.

Leader

Wire stinger rig.

Landing

Gaffed from piers by experienced anglers.

Handling

• Very sharp teeth
• Violent when landed

Keep hands clear of the mouth; subdue before unhooking.

Keep or release

Mercury advisories apply (LSU). Alabama rules apply.

Recipes for king mackerel

Typical: About 33 in, 10 lb. Large: 15 to 40 lb from piers. SC record 62 lb (1976).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the AL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Alabama Marine Resources Division before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism: fishing seasons (Angler knowledge)
• Great Days Outdoors, David Thornton, June 12, 2019: beach fishing hot spots for any budget, summer (Alabama coast) (Angler knowledge)
• SCDNR species profile: king mackerel (Official source)
• Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Alabama