Florida · Northeast
KING MACKEREL FISHING
IN ST. AUGUSTINE
St. Augustine is a solid destination for king mackerel fishing, with good fishing in May, October. Book a charter and target king mackerel with local experts.
About King Mackerel Fishing in St. Augustine
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 — St. Augustine
Month-by-month availability for king mackerel in St. Augustine, FL.
How to Catch King Mackerel in St. Augustine
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 St. Augustine
Top spots where local captains target king mackerel and other nearshore species.
St. Augustine Beach Pier
The St. Augustine Beach Pier extends into the Atlantic providing shore access to whiting, pompano, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and seasonal king mackerel. The pier's length puts anglers over productive nearshore waters where bottom structure attracts a variety of species. Cobia and tarpon are bonus catches during spring and summer months.
Matanzas Inlet Jetties
The rock jetties at Matanzas Inlet about 15 miles south of St. Augustine create prime nearshore structure where strong tidal currents attract flounder, redfish, sheepshead, and black drum. The inlet is known for excellent flounder fishing on the outgoing tide and produces some of the largest flounder in Northeast Florida each year.
Nine Mile Reef (St. Augustine)
A natural hard-bottom reef area approximately 9 miles east of St. Augustine Inlet in 50-65 feet of water. Red snapper, black sea bass, triggerfish, and vermilion snapper hold on the reef during open seasons. The reef is close enough for half-day trips and produces consistent bottom-fishing action throughout the year.
St. Augustine Nearshore Wrecks
Several deployed wrecks and artificial reef structures lie within 5-12 miles of St. Augustine Inlet in 40-80 feet of water. These structures hold red snapper, black sea bass, spadefish, and sheepshead around the hulls and deployed concrete. They are accessible year-round and are a staple of the local nearshore charter fleet.
Other Species in St. Augustine
More fish you can target while visiting St. Augustine.
King Mackerel Fishing in St. Augustine — FAQ
King Mackerel fishing in St. Augustine is productive during May, October.
King Mackerel fishing charters in St. Augustine 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 St. Augustine, 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 St. Augustine, you may also catch Black Sea Bass, Redfish, Sheepshead, Flounder, Speckled Trout. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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