Georgia · Georgia Coast
KING MACKEREL FISHING
IN SAVANNAH
Savannah is a solid destination for king mackerel fishing, with peak season in May and good catches in April, October. Book a charter and target king mackerel with local experts.
About King Mackerel Fishing in Savannah
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 — Savannah
Month-by-month availability for king mackerel in Savannah, GA.
How to Catch King Mackerel in Savannah
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 Savannah
Top spots where local captains target king mackerel and other nearshore species.
Savannah Snapper Banks
The Savannah Snapper Banks are a series of natural live-bottom ledges and hard-bottom outcroppings located 15-25 miles offshore of Savannah, holding black sea bass, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and sheepshead. These limestone ledges provide the only natural hard structure on an otherwise sandy seafloor, concentrating reef fish in predictable locations. The banks' moderate depth makes them accessible on half-day and three-quarter-day trips from Savannah's marinas.
Wassaw Island Nearshore Reefs
The artificial reef sites deployed in the waters near Wassaw Island provide productive nearshore fishing for black sea bass, sheepshead, flounder, and speckled trout on the concrete and steel structures. Georgia's artificial reef program has created multiple sites within easy reach of Savannah boats, supplementing the natural live bottom with deployed material that attracts and holds fish. The reefs' accessibility makes them popular destinations for half-day charter trips and private boat anglers.
Tybee Roads Shipping Channel
The Tybee Roads shipping channel at the entrance to the Savannah River creates a deep-water transition zone where tarpon, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, and king mackerel patrol during the warmer months. The channel's depth and current attract pelagic predators that follow baitfish schools through the convergence of river and ocean waters. Summer tarpon fishing along the shipping channel has become a celebrated nearshore fishery that draws anglers from across the Southeast.
J Reef (Artificial Reef)
J Reef is a designated artificial reef site off the Savannah coast that has been built up with concrete rubble, steel structures, and reef balls to create productive nearshore habitat for black sea bass, vermilion snapper, sheepshead, and flounder. The reef's diverse deployed material provides varied structure that attracts different species at different depths and positions. Its documented GPS coordinates and moderate distance from shore make it a staple destination for Savannah's nearshore fishing fleet.
Other Species in Savannah
More fish you can target while visiting Savannah.
King Mackerel Fishing in Savannah — FAQ
The peak months for King Mackerel fishing in Savannah are May. During these months, King Mackerel are most active and abundant in the Savannah area.
King Mackerel fishing charters in Savannah 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 Savannah, your captain provides all required Georgia fishing licenses as part of the trip.
King Mackerel regulations in Georgia 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 Savannah, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, Cobia, Black Drum, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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