King Mackerel

Season in Southern NC

Peak months: Jun, Sep, Oct.

FishOS's Myrtle Beach chart for this species (same Carolina beach type, about 60 to 150 miles south) carried north with slightly cooler water: NCEI averages at Wrightsville Beach are 52 to 58 F December to February and 78 to 83 F June to September. A 51.2 lb king from Johnnie Mercer's Pier in July 2021 with about 10 more kings the next day (Carolina Sportsman); Bogue Inlet Pier is promoted for big kings. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

End of the long piers (Johnnie Mercer's, Bogue Inlet) with live bait.

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: 51.2 lb from Johnnie Mercer's Pier (July 2021).

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

• SCDNR species profile: king mackerel (Official source)
• Carolina Sportsman: King mackerel on fire at Johnnie Mercer's Pier (July 2021) (Angler knowledge)
• Crystal Coast tourism: Bogue Inlet Pier, Emerald Isle (Angler knowledge)
• Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Southern NC