Kingfish
King mackerel in this case, from snakes to smokers.
Doing the Kingfish Troll
The summer months have been cruel to the day time fisherman. Hot has become a relative term on the water during the past few weeks. But for the Eastern Coast of the United States, hot weather means kingfish. More accurately called a king mackerel, the little ones we call snakes, and the big ones are smokers. These open water bullets can be caught all summer with a method that I just love, the “slow troll”.
The summer months have been cruel to the day time fisherman. Hot has become a relative term on the water during the past few weeks. But for the Eastern Coast of the United States, hot weather means kingfish. More accurately called a king mackerel, the little ones we call snakes, and the big ones are smokers. These open water bullets can be caught all summer with a method that I just love, the “slow troll”.
East Coast King Mackerel
Kingfish can be caught from the surf to the Gulfstream as far as 80 miles offshore. Many are caught every year from the long fishing piers up and down the coast. The "king" fishermen on the piers are easy to spot - all the way on the end of the pier fishing with live bait such as bluefish or blue runners.
Kingfish can be caught from the surf to the Gulfstream as far as 80 miles offshore. Many are caught every year from the long fishing piers up and down the coast. The "king" fishermen on the piers are easy to spot - all the way on the end of the pier fishing with live bait such as bluefish or blue runners.
A Very Mixed Bag
"The kingfish are on the beach!", was the cry of the weekend. Huge pods of pogies (menhaden shad) are finally making their appearance on the North Florida coast, and the kingfish are beginning to make their presence known in the midst of these pods. These kings, coupled with the monster redfish that follow the bait on the bottom, were reason enough to hug the beaches this past weekend.
"The kingfish are on the beach!", was the cry of the weekend. Huge pods of pogies (menhaden shad) are finally making their appearance on the North Florida coast, and the kingfish are beginning to make their presence known in the midst of these pods. These kings, coupled with the monster redfish that follow the bait on the bottom, were reason enough to hug the beaches this past weekend.
Doin' the Kingfish Troll
Slow trolling is a lazy way to spend a hot summer day, and some nice king mackerel make it even nicer!
Slow trolling is a lazy way to spend a hot summer day, and some nice king mackerel make it even nicer!
East Coast King Mackerel
Tournaments abound up and down the coast for these "'Smoker" kings.
Tournaments abound up and down the coast for these "'Smoker" kings.
Kingfish Tournament Tune-up
Tournament – there’s something about that word that gets the blood moving in most anglers. The competition, the recognition, the comradery, and the possible winning purse all combine to make king mackerel tournament fishing something special.
Tournament – there’s something about that word that gets the blood moving in most anglers. The competition, the recognition, the comradery, and the possible winning purse all combine to make king mackerel tournament fishing something special.
Screaming Kings - King Mackerel
Big kings are holding just off the beach under and around bait pods, and are going through their summer spawning cycle. Big kings can be found from just behind the breakers out to sixty feet of water. Small "snake" kings are still holding over near shore artificial reefs and wrecks, but the really big fish are close in.
Big kings are holding just off the beach under and around bait pods, and are going through their summer spawning cycle. Big kings can be found from just behind the breakers out to sixty feet of water. Small "snake" kings are still holding over near shore artificial reefs and wrecks, but the really big fish are close in.
A Very Mixed Bag
"The kingfish are on the beach!", was the cry of the weekend. Huge pods of pogies (menhaden shad) are finally making their appearance on the North Florida coast, and the kingfish are beginning to make their presence known in the midst of these pods. These kings, coupled with the monster redfish that follow the bait on the bottom, were reason enough to hug the beaches this past weekend.
"The kingfish are on the beach!", was the cry of the weekend. Huge pods of pogies (menhaden shad) are finally making their appearance on the North Florida coast, and the kingfish are beginning to make their presence known in the midst of these pods. These kings, coupled with the monster redfish that follow the bait on the bottom, were reason enough to hug the beaches this past weekend.
A Very Mixed Bag
"The kingfish are on the beach!", was the cry of the weekend. Huge pods of pogies (menhaden shad) are finally making their appearance on the North Florida coast, and the kingfish are beginning to make their presence known in the midst of these pods. These kings, coupled with the monster redfish that follow the bait on the bottom, were reason enough to hug the beaches this past weekend.
"The kingfish are on the beach!", was the cry of the weekend. Huge pods of pogies (menhaden shad) are finally making their appearance on the North Florida coast, and the kingfish are beginning to make their presence known in the midst of these pods. These kings, coupled with the monster redfish that follow the bait on the bottom, were reason enough to hug the beaches this past weekend.
Kingfish Baits
Up and down the east coast, as tournaments occur literally every weekend, kingfish anglers all have their favorite baits. We’re talking natural baits here – not artificials. Lures, plugs and chuggers will work from time to time, but by far the preferred baits are live.
Up and down the east coast, as tournaments occur literally every weekend, kingfish anglers all have their favorite baits. We’re talking natural baits here – not artificials. Lures, plugs and chuggers will work from time to time, but by far the preferred baits are live.
Fishing the Beach for Kings
A lot of people talk about “fishing the beach”, when they talk about catching king mackerel on the east coast. They aren’t talking about surf fishing, but rather the methods they use fishing from their boats.
A lot of people talk about “fishing the beach”, when they talk about catching king mackerel on the east coast. They aren’t talking about surf fishing, but rather the methods they use fishing from their boats.
Kingfish Methods
Some great tips and tactics on catching kings.
Some great tips and tactics on catching kings.
Liquid Smoke
A nice article by Bob McNally about slow trolling for kingfish.
A nice article by Bob McNally about slow trolling for kingfish.
St. Lucie County Florida
Catching kingfish off the Florida east coast. Tips and tactics.
Catching kingfish off the Florida east coast. Tips and tactics.