Ocean Fishing

King Mackerel Fishing Techniques

By Trey Gordon 30 March, 2023 7 mins read

Many techniques are available to catch large quantities of king mackerel fish. These include slow trolling with live bait and plugs. While most king fish are taken by anglers trolling with a stinger rig, slow trolling can produce the biggest king mackerel. Here are the top fishing methods for king mackerel.

Kite fishing

King mackerel can be caught using a kite. Kite fishing allows you to fish without the hassle of traditional flat-line fishing. It also keeps your baits in the water, so there is no need to spool them. 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.

A common kite fishing technique is to fish near large underwater structures. King mackerel can find plenty of cover in natural reefs and wreckage. Using a kite to fish near such structures will help you place it strategically. King mackerel love to be near large, underwater structures like wrecks and reefs. They will then produce a wide range of bait. Kite fishing is also a great option for fisherman who are unable to use traditional trolling techniques.

Kite fishing for king mackerel offers the unique advantage of being able to see fish while they're feeding. Some species, such as sailfish, can be seen streaking across the surface toward bait. Kingfish and tuna, on the other hand, can be seen feeding below the surface. A kite can give the appearance of a meal. Kite fishing allows for you to experiment with your rigging which can increase your chances at catching king mackerel.

One of the most common kite fishing techniques for king mackerel is using a bait that floats on the water. Barrel weights can be used to separate the baits. You can use a kite to attract fish to your bait. You should also remember to float the bait with menhaden, because it will attract large king mackerel.

Live bait

Although there are many ways to catch king mackerel in the ocean, it is best to use live bait. King mackerel like bait fish so be sure to keep some bait around the boat. It is best to fish where the kings are likely to be. If possible, fish in shallow water, where the kings will be more likely to bite.

Late fall is when silver mullet finish their migration down the coast. These mullet are perfect kingfish bait, and can be used for tournament winnings. This is also the time of the Carolina spot run, where a big yellow spot has taken out many a tournament winner. A bloodworm is another effective live bait kingfish fishing method. These worms not only taste good but they also reduce the time it takes for the livewell to fill up.

Anglers use a stinger to slow trolling live bait fish. This rig has two hooks attached to a wire leader. The bait fish's nose will be secured to the front hook by either a single- or treble hooked hook. The rear hook is almost always an treble hook. It can swing free and gently hook into your bait fish. King mackerel are known to target the bait's rear end, which is why a stinger can dramatically increase your hookup rates. Don't forget to take care when setting your drag.

Another method is to use either a float or balloon above your bait. A float is useful for two reasons: it keeps the fish's bait afloat in the pool and also serves as a visual guide. If the water is clean, an egg-shaped float or a black rubber float will do. Inflate the balloons to a diameter of four to six inches. Next, drop the balloons two-thirds to their bottom.

Plugs

When trolling for king mackerel, plugs work very well. They are available in different sizes and colors. Plugs have lips of the proper depth that cover a wide area of water column. Plugs are the best choice for catching these elusive fish. For plugs, gold is the best choice. The right type of plug for the right conditions will improve your chances of hooking the king.

You should use a large lure to attract king mackerel when using live bait. To avoid damaging the fish's tail, place a long hook in front of the bait. Trolling faster if you're using a lure is possible. King mackerel can be aggressive but they can also be very elusive. Be patient if your goal is to catch one.

Open water fishing is another great method to catch king mackerel. These fish love structure and eat bait fish. Look for wrecks. Look out for ledges. These fish can also be found off-shore. You will be successful if the right lures are used and the proper techniques used. Live bait is one of most effective ways to catch king mackerel. However, you need to use a spool.

You can also rig your live bait with an squid rig while you're trollng. Planers are able to guide your lure to the right depth, and allow it to travel at a speed of five to seven miles per hour. You can use them to cover a wide area of the water. Planers are able to cover large areas simultaneously. These planers are great for catching large quantities king mackerel.

Slow trolling

King mackerel like slow-trolled bait. A kayak can be a good tool to troll fish. This method of fishing works best with live bait as kings do not like fast trolling. Paddle boats are best for live bait. Artificial lures can be used, but paddle boats are still possible. For the duration of the day, kayakers can also pedal at 1.5 miles per hour. This is the ideal speed for king mackerel and is why this method is so popular.

Slow trolling with live bait can be one of the most effective ways to catch King Mackerel. Tournament fishermen only use the finest bait and use the most effective rigs. Virginia Beach has live bait and slow-trolled fishing rigs. To catch kings, look for structure in the ocean. Perfect locations for kings are reefs, wrecks, or channel edges. These types of structures are attractive to boats.

During this time, slow-troll around schools of bait to maximize your chances of catching the mackerel. King mackerel move right to the shoreline, so you'll want to find an area near an inlet or beach to target. These areas can yield great results if you slow-troll. While these locations may seem remote, the seas off Carolina Beach are much cleaner than the waters off Brunswick County. You'll most likely catch a dolphin if you fish with a live bait rig.

You can also use a small boat with a sonar. These devices pinpoint the location and depth of bottom structures or bait balls. These structures are often the location of bait balls. King mackerel will also cluster close to them. A small boat with a sonar system can increase your chances of hooking the king mackerel. When the bottom structure is rough, king mackerel will be in the vicinity.

When is the best time to catch king mackerel?

King mackerel migrates with baitfish in spring and fall. 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 will often be found on the shoreline, close to offshore oil rigs. You have the best chance to catch one if you go early in the morning, or late at night.

King mackerel are frequently caught while trolling. The correct techniques and tips are essential for fishing for king mackerel. Fishing with trolling or live bait is effective. Just before summer starts, is the best time to fish king mackerel. Anchoring does not need to be done. However, it will help in catching larger fish. To improve your chances of catching bigger fish, anchor your boat on a low-lying structure.

To find the best time to fish for mackerel, you should look at tide times. When the tide is high, you'll have the best 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. Use quality mackerel feathers.

A lure that can reach the proper depth is essential for catching king mackerel. While trolling, you can use spoons, jigs, and bait. You can use run-around, gill nets when you're aboard a boat. Bait fishermen use two hooks and a leader made of 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

Is fishing safe?

Fishing is extremely safe. Fishing is an excellent way to unwind and enjoy the natural world. You will not have any problems as long as you observe safety rules.

What size should my tackle box be

You will need ample storage space for all your fishing gear so a large tacklebox is important. The size of tackle boxes will vary depending on how many items are stored inside.

Are you able to fish without a bobber?

Yes. A bobber is used to keep the bait from getting away when fishing. The bobber is made up of the float as well as the line. You attach the hook and line to the lure. Once the line is out, let go of it. The lure can sink in the water if the bobber isn't used.

Can I fish throughout the day?

You can fish at any time of the day. The only time you cannot fish is during times when there is a ban on fishing.

What amount of money can I spend on fishing equipment?

You don’t have to spend much on fishing gear. There are many cheap options. You can buy a cheap line, hook, and reel. You can also invest in quality rods and reel sets.

Statistics

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)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
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)