Mackerel (Scombridae)
King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla
About the king mackerel
The king mackerel ('king' or 'kingfish') is the trophy catch of pier fishing. These powerful predators can exceed 50 lbs and make screaming runs that strip hundreds of yards of line. Landing a king from a pier is a team effort and one of the most thrilling experiences in saltwater fishing.
- offshore
- pelagic
- trophy fish
- summer fish
- king rig
Where to find them
Piers that report king mackerel
Season, bait and average size as reported for each pier.
Juno Beach Pier
Biting- Months
- Nov–Mar
- Best bait
- Live goggle-eye, blue runner
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 90 lbs (FL state)
Winter kings are a major draw at Juno. Slow-troll live bait near the pier end.
- Months
- May–Sep
- Best bait
- Live bluefish, live menhaden
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 93 lbs (SC state)
The trophy catch of pier fishing. Requires heavy tackle and live bait. Best at the pier's end.
Apache Pier
Slow- Months
- May–Sep
- Best bait
- Live bluefish, live menhaden
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 93 lbs (SC state)
The trophy catch of pier fishing. Requires heavy tackle and live bait. Best at the pier's end.
- Months
- May–Sep
- Best bait
- Live bluefish, live menhaden
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 93 lbs (SC state)
The trophy catch of pier fishing. Requires heavy tackle and live bait. Best at the pier's end.
Garden City Pier
Slow- Months
- May–Sep
- Best bait
- Live bluefish, live menhaden
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 93 lbs (SC state)
The trophy catch of pier fishing. Requires heavy tackle and live bait. Best at the pier's end.
Pier 14
Slow- Months
- May–Sep
- Best bait
- Live bluefish, live menhaden
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 93 lbs (SC state)
The trophy catch of pier fishing. Requires heavy tackle and live bait. Best at the pier's end.
Springmaid Pier
Slow- Months
- May–Sep
- Best bait
- Live bluefish, live menhaden
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 93 lbs (SC state)
The trophy catch of pier fishing. Requires heavy tackle and live bait. Best at the pier's end.
- Months
- May–Sep
- Best bait
- Live bluefish, live menhaden
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 93 lbs (SC state)
The trophy catch of pier fishing. Requires heavy tackle and live bait. Best at the pier's end.
Surfside Pier
Slow- Months
- May–Sep
- Best bait
- Live bluefish, live menhaden
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 93 lbs (SC state)
The trophy catch of pier fishing. Requires heavy tackle and live bait. Best at the pier's end.
South Carolina rules
Keeping king mackerel
King Mackerel
saltwater- Minimum size
- 24"
- Maximum size
- None
- Daily bag limit
- 3
- Closed season
- None
FL
Must land with head and fins intact
Summarized from SCDNR. Limits change — confirm before you keep a fish at the SCDNR source.