King Mackerel

Season in Outer Banks

Live-bait king fishing from the end of the long piers: a 65 lb king at Jennette's in July (Carolina Sportsman), an Avon Pier king in August 2010 (Island Free Press). Island Free Press: kings arrive offshore around the first of October. Cooler than Myrtle Beach (NCEI), so a shorter pier season. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

End sections of the long ocean piers (Jennette's, Avalon, Avon, Rodanthe) with live bait on a trolley rig.

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

Good eating. Check NC and federal rules.

Recipes for king mackerel

Typical: unknown. Large: 65 lb, 61 in fork length, from Jennette's Pier.

Limits

FishOS has not checked the NC limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Carolina Sportsman: Jennette's Pier gives up 65-pound king mackerel (July) (Angler knowledge)
• Island Free Press: Outer Banks Angling, fishing report for Aug 19 to 24 (Rob Alderman, 2010) (Angler knowledge)
• Island Free Press: October Fishing, Change is a good thing (Capt. David Wilson, Oct 23 2017) (Angler knowledge)
• NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide: monthly average water temperatures, all stations (Official source)
• SCDNR species profile: king mackerel (Official source)
• Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Outer Banks