June is a fantastic month to visit the Grand Strand, where king mackerel are abundant and feeding heavily nearshore on the abundant bait schools. The warm water and the baitfish bring the kings in close.
What is the season for king mackerel?
Commercial King mackerel. The Gulf migratory group of king mackerel is divided into Western, Northern, and Southern Zones. The Western Zone extends from the southern border of Texas to the Alabama/Florida state line. The fishing year is July 1 through June 30 with a trip limit of 3,000 pounds.
What month is best for mackerel?
May-June is the best time to catch mackerel, although they are caught all summer in numbers and larger specimens are sometimes caught in winter.
Where is the best place to catch king mackerel?
The king mackerel can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean in tropical and subtropical waters.
- Northeast, South.
- Medium.
- Ocean.
What is the best bait for king mackerel?
Silvery live baits such pilchards, threadfin herring, menhaden, mullet and blue runners are preferable to dead baits, according to virtually all top tournament anglers. However, live bait is not always easily obtained, so these same anglers also bring frozen baits such as cigar minnows, ribbonfish and Spanish mackerel.
How do you catch king mackerel in South Carolina?
Baitfish are the key to king mackerel fishing
King mackerel migrate into Carolina waters during the spring as water temperatures rise, following the baitfish that congregate around nearshore structure. Kings will shift around and set up for the best opportunities to feed with the least amount of effort.
Is king mackerel a good fish to eat?
If you wish to add mackerel to your diet, make sure you’re eating a kind with low mercury content, like the North Atlantic mackerel. Avoid fishes like king mackerel and Spanish mackerel that have high levels of mercury and pose a risk of causing mercury poisoning.
Are the mackerel in yet 2022?
The 2022 Mackerel Hook & Line fishery is to open by Fisheries Management Notice for all eligible vessels under 15 metres in length overall on 1st May 2022.
Can you catch mackerel in March?
It is not unusual to see the first Mackerel being caught at the end of the month. They are not normally around in large numbers to start with, but they are always welcome. The one species that is sure to show up this month are the PLaice.
What depth do you fish mackerel?
Mackerel generally remain at the same depth which is between 8ft to 20ft. They also generally stay quite close to cliffs and walls. If you’re fishing from a pier then you will probably only need to be casting out between 5 to 30 yards.
How close do king mackerel get to shore?
When they’re marauding baitfish, they can be found close to shore on the beaches, passes and jetties, where even shore-bound anglers have a shot at them. But most of the larger kingfish hunt over nearshore reefs in 30- to 60-feet or deeper.
How far out is king mackerel?
For the most part, anglers chasing king mackerel find them between a few miles from shore and 15 miles out. This is often the range where the forage such as threadfin herring, cigar minnows, menhaden, and blue runners tend to be found.
What is the best lure for kingfish?
The most effective for larger kingfish have been the Nomad Stick bait and popper range. The Nomad Riptide has amazing action and a reputable lure for a large range of pelagics. Sinking hard bodies are the go to when fish are not feeding or pushing bait to the surface.
What size hooks for king mackerel?
Starting with a single 2/0 lead hook, add trailing segments wired to No. 4 treble hooks. Some anglers will “peg” all stingers on a big-bait rig, as this keeps the hooks right near the strike zone.
Is it hard to catch king mackerel?
King Mackerel are hefty enough that they can put up a tougher fight than some of their smaller cousins. They will go on some blistering runs. However, once you turn their heads, they tend to come to the boat without too much difficulty, although once you get them to the boat they might zip back out again.
What is the best time to catch kingfish?
Summer
Summer is the best time to target kingfish however they can be caught year round with winter fish tending to be less common but generally larger. Smaller kingfish will often be found around channel markers and wharfs in the warmer summer months.
Where can I find king mackerel in Charleston SC?
Offshore waters near all the larger river mouths and sounds along the South Carolina Coast are productive for kingfish. Among the best are: the mouth of the Savannah River, Port Royal Sound, St. Helena Sound, Charleston Harbor, Bulls Bay, Winyah Bay, and Murrells Inlet.
Do king mackerels bite at night?
They feed day and night. They can be caught with live baits anytime, but trolling artificials at night is a losing proposition. Kings generally feed near the surface at dawn, dusk and night. In bright sunlight they feed somewhat down; on rainy days or overcast days the fish will feed near the surface all day long.
How fast do you troll for king mackerel?
seven to ten knots
How to Catch King Mackerel. There are several methods to lure and catch King mackerel, including straight trolling at seven to ten knots. You can deploy a variety of baits, but popular baits that bring plenty of fish are Spoons, Halco, and Clark.
What is the biggest king mackerel ever caught?
93.0-pound
The current IGFA All Tackle World Record is a 93.0-pound king mackerel caught offshore of San Juan, Puerto Rico April 18, 1999 by angler Steve Graulau.
Can you eat king mackerel raw?
Mackerel (saba) is normally made into sushi or sashimi cured with vinegar and salt (shime-saba). It’s not cooked with any kind of heat. Mackerel is quick to spoil, so it is not trusted to be eaten raw.