Fish guide
King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla.
Showing the fish for Lower Texas coast, South Padre.
Season in Lower Texas
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
South Padre guide: kingfish roam the beachfront and passes throughout the summer; through September jetty fishermen and small boats catch them easily. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Myrtle Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southern NC | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southwest Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Tampa Bay | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Big Bend | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Beachfront, passes and the jetties through September (South Padre guide).
Beyond the pier end.
What to look for
Clean green water at the pier end, bait schools.
What to throw
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). Texas rules apply.
Typical: About 33 in, 10 lb. Large: 15 to 40 lb from piers. SC record 62 lb (1976).
Limits
FishOS has not checked the TX limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before you keep a fish.
Sources
- South Padre Island CVB: Bay and offshore fishing guide (species notes) (Angler knowledge)
- SCDNR species profile: king mackerel (Official source)
- Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)
Is king mackerel worth it today?
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