Kingfish, or king mackerel, are fast, toothy, and found along much of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts. They are a favorite for small-boat anglers because they often hold closer to shore than other pelagics. Trolling is one of the best ways to catch them.
Where to find kingfish
Kingfish hold around nearshore reefs, wrecks, ledges, and bait schools, often in depths from about 40 to 150 feet. They follow bait such as menhaden, cigar minnows, and sardines. Seasonal migrations bring them along the coast in spring and fall.
Slow trolling live bait
The classic kingfish method is slow trolling live bait at 1 to 3 knots, often bumping the engine in and out of gear. Live bait swims naturally and kingfish hit it hard.
Trolling lures
Kingfish also hit lures. Spoons, small diving plugs, skirted ballyhoo, and small bullet-style lures work, typically at 4 to 7 knots. Lures cover more water when you are searching for fish.
Stinger rigs
Kingfish often slash at the back of a bait. A stinger rig adds a treble or J-hook near the tail, connected with a short piece of wire, to catch fish that short-strike.
Wire leaders
Kingfish teeth are sharp. Use light single-strand wire, often in the #4 to #7 range, to keep presentations natural while preventing bite-offs. Some anglers use dark or coffee-colored wire to reduce visibility.
Downriggers and depth
Kingfish often hold below the surface. Downriggers are popular for running live baits or lures at specific depths. See downrigger vs planer.
Tackle
Medium conventional or spinning outfits with 20 to 30 lb line are plenty for most kingfish. Kings make blistering first runs, so make sure you have enough line capacity.
Kingfish vs wahoo
Kingfish and wahoo look similar but live in different places and are fished differently. Our fish by species page explains how to tell them apart.
Regulations
King mackerel size and bag limits vary by state and region. Check current rules before keeping fish.
