Fishing Florida The Sunshine State's Top 25 Game Fish

A GORP Content Partner Adapted from Fishing Florida by Kris Thoemke

Distribution - Along the Atlantic coast of Florida, king mackerel are caught year-round south of Jupiter Inlet; only during warmer months do they venture farther north. In the Gulf the fish migrate along the west coast in spring and fall, summering off the Florida Panhandle. The Atlantic and Gulf populations appear to be separate. Most fish are taken offshore, but some larger fish move into nearshore waters and can be caught from ocean piers and in the surf.

Scomberomorus cavalla KING MACKEREL

Tackle and techniques - From a boat anglers can use standard boat tackle with 20-pound test line or higher to troll or drift. Use either a heavy monofilament or wire leader. Get your bait down below the surface. From the surf or a pier, you will need a medium to heavy rod and reel with at least 20-pound test line on it to handle the big fish that come close to shore. Jigging may also work once you've found a school. The big king, called smokers, are excellent smoked.

State regulations apply to this fish. Check the latest edition of the rules and regulations for size and bag limits and open and closed seasons.

Bait - Small live fish are the preferred bait. A piece of whole or cut bait with a plastic skirt is often used when trolling, or try large fish-shaped plugs.

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