Florida · Southeast
KING MACKEREL FISHING
IN FORT LAUDERDALE
Fort Lauderdale is a solid destination for king mackerel fishing, with good fishing in January, February, March, November. Book a charter and target king mackerel with local experts.
About King Mackerel Fishing in Fort Lauderdale
Also called Kingfish. A fast, hard-fighting fish found near reefs and wrecks. Popular for smoking.
King Mackerel — called "Kingfish" or "Kings" — are fast, hard-fighting predators found from the Gulf to the mid-Atlantic. These streamlined fish are built for speed, with a silver body, iridescent blue-green back, and a deeply forked tail. The lateral line dips sharply downward below the second dorsal fin, distinguishing kings from similar species. They are voracious feeders that attack bait at incredible speed, making hookups explosive.
Scientific name: Scomberomorus cavalla
King Mackerel Seasonal Calendar — Fort Lauderdale
Month-by-month availability for king mackerel in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
How to Catch King Mackerel in Fort Lauderdale
Techniques & Bait
Slow-trolling live bait is the classic technique — rigging large live blue runners, goggle-eyes, or threadfin herring on stinger rigs (a lead hook through the nose and a trailing treble near the tail) and slow-trolling near reef edges, wrecks, and temperature breaks. Dead bait (cigar minnows, ribbonfish) rigged on king mackerel "stinger" rigs trolled with a duster or sea witch produce well. Casting live bait to visible surface-feeding schools is exciting. Fast-trolling with spoons (Drone, Clark) and planers covers water efficiently.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-heavy spinning or conventional rod (7 ft), 5000+ reel, 20-30 lb braid, long wire leader (single-strand #5-#7 or multi-strand wire — kings have razor teeth that cut fluorocarbon).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Fort Lauderdale
Top spots where local captains target king mackerel and other nearshore species.
Dania Erojacks Reef
Dania Erojacks is an artificial reef site off Dania Beach composed of concrete reef modules in 45-65 feet of water. The structures hold yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, almaco jack, and cobia, and are easily accessible from Port Everglades on short trips. The reef is part of Broward County's extensive artificial reef program.
Fort Lauderdale Reef Line
Three parallel natural reef lines run north-south off Fort Lauderdale in depths from 15 to 90 feet. The inner, middle, and outer reefs hold snapper, grouper, hogfish, barracuda, and nurse sharks, with the outer reef producing the largest fish. The reef system is remarkably close to shore and accessible on half-day trips.
Tenneco Towers Reef
The Tenneco Towers are oil platform jackets deployed as artificial reefs in 170 feet of water about 3 miles off Fort Lauderdale. These massive steel structures rise from the bottom and hold amberjack, almaco jack, cobia, barracuda, and large schools of baitfish. They are among the most iconic artificial reef structures in Broward County.
Anglin's Pier Reef Area
Natural hard-bottom reef and artificial structures near the Commercial Boulevard area in 30-60 feet of water attract kingfish, bonito, barracuda, and cobia. Bottom anglers find mutton snapper and yellowtail snapper on the structure, while trolling the edges produces pelagics. The area benefits from proximity to the Gulf Stream current.
Other Species in Fort Lauderdale
More fish you can target while visiting Fort Lauderdale.
King Mackerel Fishing in Fort Lauderdale — FAQ
King Mackerel fishing in Fort Lauderdale is productive during January, February, March, November, December.
King Mackerel fishing charters in Fort Lauderdale are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Slow-trolling live bait is the classic technique — rigging large live blue runners, goggle-eyes, or threadfin herring on stinger rigs (a lead hook through the nose and a trailing treble near the tail) and slow-trolling near reef edges, wrecks, and temperature breaks. Dead bait (cigar minnows, ribbonfish) rigged on king mackerel "stinger" rigs trolled with a duster or sea witch produce well. Casting live bait to visible surface-feeding schools is exciting. Fast-trolling with spoons (Drone, Clark) and planers covers water efficiently.
No — when you book a charter in Fort Lauderdale, your captain provides all required Florida fishing licenses as part of the trip.
King Mackerel regulations in Florida include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting King Mackerel in Fort Lauderdale, you may also catch Sailfish, Snook, Mahi Mahi, Blackfin Tuna, Mangrove Snapper. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch King Mackerel in Fort Lauderdale?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your king mackerel fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes