Ocean Fishing

King Mackerel Fishing Techniques

By David McKinney 13 June, 2023 7 mins read

There are many ways to catch king mackerel. These include slow trolling, live bait, and plugs. Most king fish are caught by anglers using a stinger rod, but slow trolling can bring in the largest king mackerel. Below we look at the most popular fishing techniques used for king mackerel.

Kite fishing

Kite fishing is an efficient way to catch king marlin. Unlike traditional flat-line fishing, kite fishing eliminates the need to spool out lines and keeps the baits high in the water. This allows other boats to pass below it without worrying about the line. Leva can also install multiple lines to cover an extensive area.

It is common to fish near large structures underwater when kite fishing. Natural reefs and wreckage provide plenty of cover for king mackerel. It is a good idea to use a kite to fish close to such structures. King mackerel will often gather near large underwater structures such as wrecks or reefs to produce a variety of bait. Kite fishing permits you to fish areas too shallow to be able use conventional trolling techniques.

One of the primary advantages of kite fishing for king mackerel is that it lets you see fish while they are feeding. Sailfish and other species can be seen swimming towards bait. Tuna and Kingfish, on the contrary, can be seen below water surface. A kite can create an illusion of a wounded meal. Kite fishing allows for you to experiment with your rigging which can increase your chances at catching king mackerel.

One of the most effective kite fishing techniques to catch king mackerel is to use a bait that floats in the water. Barrel weights can be used to separate the baits. By using a kite, the fish will come up to eat your bait. Because large king mackerel are attracted to baits containing menhaden, it is important that you float your bait with them.

Live bait

There are many options for fishing for king mackerel. However, the best way to do it is with live bait. King mackerel are known for nibbling on bait fish without hooking them, so it's essential to always keep a bait near the boat. It is best to fish where the kings are likely to be. If you can, fish in shallower water where the kings are likely to bite.

Silver mullet migrate down the coast in late fall. These mullet make excellent kingfish bait and can even be used to win tournaments. The Carolina spot run is held at this time. Many a tournament winner has been crowned with a big yellow spot. The blood worms are an effective method of live baiting kingfish. These worms are edible and also shorten the filling time of the livewell.

When slow trolling with live bait fish, anglers often use a stinger rig. This rig has two hooks attached on a wire leader. The front hook can be either a single, or treble hook and secures the baitfish through its nose. The rear hook can swing free and easily hook into the bait fish. King mackerel are known to target the bait's rear end, which is why a stinger can dramatically increase your hookup rates. Remember to use a light drag.

Another way to make your bait more visible is to use a floating or balloon as a float. A float can serve two purposes. It keeps the bait afloat within the water column, and it provides visual references. If the water has not been contaminated, an egg-shaped floating float or a rubber float can be used. The balloons should be inflated to four to six feet in diameter. Next, drop the balloons two-thirds to their bottom.

Plugs

When trolling for king mackerel, plugs work very well. They come in a variety sizes and colors that mimic local food sources. Plugs have lips that are just the right depth and cover a broad water column. These fish can be caught using plugs. Gold is the top color for plugs. The right type of plug for the right conditions will improve your chances of hooking the king.

When using live bait, you should choose a lure that is large enough to easily attract king mackerel. Use a long hook in the back of the bait to avoid tearing the fish's tail. You can troll more quickly if you use a lure. King mackerel are often aggressive, but they are very difficult to catch. To catch one, patience is key.

Another great way to catch king mackerel is to fish for them in open water. These fish often relate to structure because they feed on bait fish. Look for wrecks, ledges, and reefs, and don't forget about oil rigs. These fish can be found offshore as well. You will be successful if the right lures are used and the proper techniques used. Although live bait is a great way to catch king mackerel in the wild, it's important that you use a spool.

When you are trollng, you can rig your live bait by using a squid rod. Planers allow your lure to dive to the correct depth and maintain a speed of five to seven mph. They are available in various sizes and can cover large areas of water. Lastly, planers allow you to cover a large area at one time. Planers are also great for catching large quantities of king mackerel.

Slow trolling

King mackerel will eat slow-trolled bait. This is why kayaks can be useful for troll fishing. This type of fishing is best for bait that's live, since kings are not always attracted to high-speed trolling. You can still use artificial lures but paddle boats work best with live bait. Paddle boats can be ridden at 1.5 miles per an hour for most of the day by most kayakers. This speed is ideal for king mackerel. It is why this method of paddling is often preferred.

Slow trolling with livebait is one of best ways to catch king marlin. Tournament fishermen use fresh bait whenever possible to create the best rigs. You can fish off Virginia Beach with live bait and a slow-trolled rig. For kingfishing, you need to look for structure in your ocean. The best places to look for structure in the ocean are wrecks and reefs. These types of structures are attractive to boats.

Slowly trolling around bait schools will increase your chances to catch the mackerel. King mackerel move right to the shoreline, so you'll want to find an area near an inlet or beach to target. Slow-trolling around these areas can produce great results. These areas may appear remote but the water is much cleaner than those in Brunswick County. If you're fishing with a live-bait rig, you'll likely catch a dolphin along the way.

Another option is to use a small craft equipped with a sonar. These devices can pinpoint the location of bait balls and bottom structures. King mackerel can also be found near such structures, in addition to the bait ball. To maximize your chances at hooking a King Mackerel, you should consider a small boat fitted with a sonar device. King mackerel will often be found in areas where the bottom is very rough.

Best time to catch king mackerel

In the spring and fall, King mackerel move with baitfish. Most will be caught in winter off the Florida Keys, but there are plenty of pelagic species that can also be found in spring and autumn. King mackerel are found often along the shoreline near offshore oil-rigs and other structures. To have the best chance of catching one you should go out in the morning or evening.

Trolling is a common method to catch king mackerel. It is important to use the correct techniques when fishing for King Mackerel. Live bait or lures fished using trolling are both effective. Just before summer starts, is the best time to fish king mackerel. Anchoring is not needed. It will catch larger fish. To improve your chances of catching bigger fish, anchor your boat on a low-lying structure.

You should consider tide times when looking for the best time of day to fish for mackerel. The tide should be high to have the greatest chance of catching mackerel. You should be on the lookout for seabirds diving offshore. They will indicate that there are fish below the surface. Once you find the right tide time, attach a mackerel hook to your hook. Then cast out. Make sure to use decent mackerel feathers.

For king mackerel fishing, a lure should reach the right depth. Trolling for them can be done with jigs or spoons as well as bait. You can also use run-around nets if you're on a boat. Bait fishermen use a pair of hooks with a lead metal. The first hook passes through the bait fish while the second is placed on the fish's tail. King mackerel love the tail portion of bait fish.

FAQ

What is the best bait available for freshwater fish?

Live shrimp is the best bait available for freshwater fisherman. Shrimp are affordable, simple to catch, and taste fantastic!

What size should my tackle box be

Because you will need ample space to store your fishing gear, a large tackle box is essential. Tackle boxes come in a variety of sizes depending on how many items they hold.

Is it possible to fish during the day?

Yes, fishing is possible at all hours of the day. Only times that fishing is banned are when you can fish.

Are special licenses necessary to fish?

You cannot unless you plan on taking fish out of the state or beyond county boundaries. Many states allow anglers fish without the need for a license. To find out what license is required, check with your local Fish & Wildlife Agency.

What are the different types of lures you can use?

Yes, there is a wide range of lures. Some lures have been specifically designed for certain fish species. Others mimic insects and frogs. There are many sizes and shapes of lures. Some lures look like real bugs.

Statistics

You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
Orvis, Simms, and Fishpond have been making some of the best packs and vests for a long time, and it seems like 90% of the anglers around the area use these brands. (troutandsteelhead.net)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)