The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
King Mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla
King Mackerel Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 24–40 in, 8–20 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 6 ft and 100 lb |
| Lifespan | Up to about 26 years, though fish past 20 are rare |
| Range | Warm Atlantic coast from the Carolinas (strays north to New England) south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. |
| Habitat | Coastal pelagic over roughly 30–200 ft, working reefs, wrecks, ledges, piers and color or temperature breaks in water above about 68°F. |
| Diet | Schooling baitfish — menhaden, herring, Spanish sardines, mullet — plus squid and shrimp; slow-trolled live bait is the classic. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a King Mackerel
- Steel-blue back, silver sides; adults lack spots
- Lateral line drops sharply downward below the second dorsal fin
- First dorsal fin uniformly pale (no black front patch); folds into a groove
- Slender elongate body, deeply forked tail
- Row of finlets behind dorsal and anal fins
- Juveniles may show faint yellow spots
Tell it apart: The sharp downward dip in the lateral line under the second dorsal, plus a pale (not black-fronted) first dorsal fin, marks a king mackerel.
Easily confused with: Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo
Side by side: King Mackerel vs Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel vs Wahoo
How to Catch King Mackerel
Gear links open Amazon searches. As an Amazon Associate, The Fishing Report earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Using these links helps keep the site ad-free.
- Late spring through fall — slow-troll live menhaden or cigar minnows on wire stinger rigs 5–15 mi out.GearKing mackerel stinger rigsSea-witch trolling skirtsCoated wire leader
- Best in spring as schools move through; slow-troll ribbonfish or live baits on wire stinger rigs near reefs and wrecks.GearWire stinger rigsDrone spoonsSingle-strand wire leader
- Peaks through summer as schools work the nearshore reefs and rigs; slow-troll live baits or ribbonfish on wire stinger rigs.GearWire stinger rigsDrone spoonsSingle-strand wire leader
When & Where King Mackerel Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Atlantic Nearshore | ||||||||||||
| South Florida & the Keys Nearshore | ||||||||||||
| Gulf of Mexico Nearshore |
King Mackerel Regulations
GeorgiaGeorgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources DivisionSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources DivisionNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ), Division of Marine FisheriesSouth Atlantic Fishery Management CouncilSAFMCAtlantic States Marine Fisheries CommissionASMFCFloridaFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council)GMFMCAlabamaAlabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division (Outdoor Alabama)MississippiMississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR)LouisianaLouisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)TexasTexas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD)
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.