King Mackerel

Season in Southeast Florida

FWC Where to Saltwater Fish: kingfish fall to spring offshore (Palm Beach), winter to spring inshore (Martin). NOAA: the winter mixing zone is south of the Keys, November to March. Juno Bait: no pier reports yet in April; a few cruising past the end of Juno Beach Pier in August. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Past the end of Juno Beach Pier, on Rapala X-Rap style plugs (Juno Bait); otherwise along the 120 ft ledge by boat.

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

Florida rules apply; see the regulations file.

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

• Florida FWC: Where to Saltwater Fish (species and seasons by county, Nassau to Monroe) (Official source)
• NOAA Fisheries: king mackerel (Official source)
• Juno Bait and Tackle, Easter Weekend Fishing Outlook, April 17 2025 (Angler knowledge)
• Juno Bait and Tackle, Weekend Fishing Outlook, August 14 2026 (Todd Mitchell) (Angler knowledge)
• SCDNR species profile: king mackerel (Official source)
• Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Southeast Florida