King Mackerel

Season in Big Bend

Steinhatchee: kingfish migrating in October; Cedar Key fall mackerel trips also take small kings. Mostly a boat fish here. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Offshore bait schools in October; small kings at Seahorse Reef in fall (Sea Hag Marina; Thompson).

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). Florida 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 FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Visit Natural North Florida, Sept 5, 2018: Steinhatchee fishing forecast for September and October (Capt. Rick Davidson, Sea Hag Marina) (Angler knowledge)
• Visit Natural North Florida, Capt. Tommy Thompson, Oct 23, 2015: Spanish mackerel at Cedar Key's Seahorse Reef and The Hook (Angler knowledge)
• SCDNR species profile: king mackerel (Official source)
• Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Big Bend