Bass Fishing

King Mackerel Fishing Techniques

By Trey Gordon 24 February, 2023 6 mins read

There are many ways to catch king mackerel. These techniques include slow trolling and live bait. Slow trolling, which can produce the largest king mackerel, is a better option than trolling with a large stinger rig. Here are the top fishing methods for king mackerel.

Kite fishing

Kite fishing is a good way to catch King Mackerel. Kite fishing is a different method to traditional flat-line fishing. The lines are spoolless and the baits remain high in the water. This technique also allows other boats to pass beneath it without fouling the line. In addition, Leva rigs multiple lines to cover a large area.

One common technique for kite fishing is to fish close to large underwater structures. King mackerel are attracted to natural reefs and wreckage. Using a kite to fish near such structures will help you place it strategically. 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.

Kite fishing is a great way to spot king mackerel while they are being fed. Some species, such as sailfish, can be seen streaking across the surface toward bait. Tuna and Kingfish, on the contrary, can be seen below water surface. Kites can give the illusion of a hungry meal. Kite fishing lets you vary the rigging to increase your chances of catching King Mackerel.

The most popular method for fishing king mackerel from a kite is to use a floating bait. To separate baits, you could also use barrel weights. The fish will eat your bait if you use a kite. The bait should be steamed with menhaden because large king mackerel will love it.

Live bait

Although there are many ways to catch king mackerel in the ocean, it is best to use 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.

In the late fall, silver mulet will be finishing their migration along the coast. These mullet make great kingfish bait and can be used for tournament wins. The Carolina spot run is held at this time. Many a tournament winner has been crowned with a big yellow spot. Blood worms are another great live bait kingfish fishery technique. These worms are edible and also shorten the filling time of the livewell.

Anglers use a stinger to slow trolling live bait fish. This rig is composed of two hooks connected to a wire lead. The bait fish is secured through its nose by the front hook, which can be either a single or double hook. The rear hook is almost always a treble hook that can swing free and lightly hook into the bait fish. King mackerel tend to attack the rear half of the bait, so using a stinger rig drastically increases your hookup rate. Remember to use a light drag.

Another option is to place a float (or balloon) above your bait. The float has two functions: it keeps your bait afloat in water and provides visual reference. If the water is clear, a float that's egg-shaped or made of rubber will suffice. Balloons should be inflated to four to six inches in diameter. Drop them to the bottom by lowering two-thirds.

Plugs

Plugs work great when you are fishing for king mackerel. They come in a variety of colors and sizes and mimic local forage. Plugs have lips that are just the right depth and cover a broad water column. These fish are hard to catch, so plugs are the best option. Plugs should be made of gold. The right plug will help you hook a king.

Use live bait that is large enough for king mackerel to be attracted by. To avoid cutting the fish's hair, insert a long hook into the bait. Trolling faster is possible if you are using a lure. King mackerel, while aggressive, are quite elusive. If you want to catch one, you need to have patience.

Another great way to catch king mackerel is to fish for them in open water. Because they eat bait fish, these fish can relate to structure. Look for wrecks, ledges, and reefs, and don't forget about oil rigs. These fish can be found offshore as well. If you use the right lures and techniques, you're sure to be successful. Although live bait can be one of the best methods to catch king marlin, you will need to use a line spool.

You can also rig your live bait with an squid rig while you're trollng. Planers will allow your lure's depth to be determined and to maintain a speed of between five and seven mph. Planers come in different sizes and can cover a lot of water. Lastly, planers allow you to cover a large area at one time. They're also excellent for catching large amounts of king mackerel.

Slow trolling

King mackerel love slow-trolled bait, so a kayak can make a great tool for troll fishing. This method of fishing works best with live bait as kings do not like fast trolling. Although artificial lures are still available, paddle boats are better for live bait. Kayakers can easily pedal at a steady pace of 1.5 miles per hours for the entire day. This is the best speed for king mackerel. Therefore, this method is often preferred.

Slow trolling using live bait is one way to catch kings mackerel. Tournament fishermen use the freshest bait possible and create the most effective rigs. You can fish off Virginia Beach with live bait and a slow-trolled rig. You can catch kings by looking for structure in the sea. Perfect locations for kings are reefs, wrecks, or channel edges. These types of structures are attractive to boats.

To maximize your chances of catching mackerel, slow-troll around bait schools. King mackerel migrate right to the shoreline. You'll need to locate an area nearby an inlet, beach or other suitable location to target. These areas are great for slow-trolling. While these locations may seem remote, the seas off Carolina Beach are much cleaner than the waters off Brunswick County. If you are fishing with a livebait rig you will likely catch a dolphin.

Alternatively, you can use a small boat equipped with a sonar. These devices are able to pinpoint the locations of bottom structures and bait balls. In addition to the bait balls, king mackerel often cluster around such structures. A small boat with a sonar system can increase your chances of hooking the king mackerel. King mackerel will often be found in areas where the bottom is very rough.

The best time of year to catch king mackerel

In spring and autumn, king mackerel travel with baitfish. The majority of the pelagic species will be caught off Florida Keys in winter. However, they are abundant in spring and fall. King mackerel are often found along the shoreline along offshore oil rigs and other structures. For the best chance of catching one, head out early in the morning or early evening.

Trout fishing is an excellent way to catch king mackerel. The correct techniques and tips are essential for 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 isn't necessary. However, it will help in catching larger fish. To improve your chances of catching bigger fish, anchor your boat on a low-lying structure.

Tide times are a good indicator of the best time to fish mackerel. You will have the best chances of catching mackerel when the tide is high. Sea birds that dive offshore are a sign that there is a fish below. Once you have found the right tide, tie a mackerel-rig to your hook, and cast out. Use quality mackerel feathers.

King mackerel can only be caught with a lure that is deep enough. You can use jigs, spoons, and bait while trolling for them. Run-around gillnets are also available for boats. Bait fishermen use 2 hooks with a metallic leader. The first hook is used to catch the bait fish. The second hook is used to grab the fish's head. King mackerel are particularly receptive to the tail section of bait fish.

New Article - You won't believe this

FAQ

What happens if I lose a fish while fishing?

It is part of the game to lose a fish. Sometimes you might catch a fish but then lose it. When this happens, just keep trying. You will eventually catch another fish.

What is the maximum amount I can expect to spend on fishing gear

You don't necessarily have to spend a lot on fishing equipment. There are many inexpensive options available. You can buy a cheap line, hook, and reel. You could also invest in a rod and reel set.

Can I fish in the morning?

You can fish at any time of the day. Only times that fishing is banned are when you can fish.

How can I tell whether my lure is working properly?

You should watch out for movement in your lure when it is thrown into the water. If there is movement, your lure is operating properly.

How far away should I stand while fishing?

You are more likely to catch fish the further you stand from shore. This also increases your chances of getting wet.

Statistics

For most freshwater species you are most likely to target when first starting out, a reel size of 20 to 30 should be more than enough! (strikeandcatch.com)
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)
To substantiate this theory, Knight attempted a systematic inquiry by considering the timing of 200 'record' catches, more than 90 percent were made during a new moon (when no moon is visible). (myfwc.com)