King Mackerel

Season in Panhandle

Peak months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug.

Destin-area pier calendar: king mackerel April through October, from the pier ends. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

The ends of the long Gulf piers, April to October (Fishing Destin Guide).

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

• Fishing Destin Guide (local angler site, 2014): pier fishing calendar for seven piers from Panama City to Gulf State Park (Angler knowledge)
• Florida FWC species profile: king mackerel (Official source)
• SCDNR species profile: king mackerel (Official source)
• Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Panhandle