Louisiana · Cajun Coast
KING MACKEREL FISHING
IN COCODRIE
Cocodrie is a solid destination for king mackerel fishing, with good fishing in May, June, July, August. Book a charter and target king mackerel with local experts.
About King Mackerel Fishing in Cocodrie
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 — Cocodrie
Month-by-month availability for king mackerel in Cocodrie, LA.
How to Catch King Mackerel in Cocodrie
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 Cocodrie
Top spots where local captains target king mackerel and other nearshore species.
Timbalier Bay
Timbalier Bay stretches between the Terrebonne marsh and the barrier islands, creating a vast nearshore fishery where speckled trout school up on oyster reefs and shell pads in impressive numbers. Bull redfish cruise the bay's deeper channels during fall, and flounder hold along the sandy passes connecting the bay to the Gulf. Running south from Cocodrie, anglers reach the upper portions of Timbalier Bay within a short boat ride for productive nearshore action.
Wine Island Pass
Wine Island Pass is a tidal cut between the remnants of Wine Island and the adjacent barrier island shoreline, funneling strong currents that attract speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. The pass's sandy bottom and shell-bed edges create ambush points where gamefish intercept baitfish swept through on tidal changes. Wine Island Pass is a well-known nearshore waypoint for Cocodrie captains seeking concentrated fish in moving water.
Caillou Boca Pass
Caillou Boca is one of the primary passes connecting the inner Terrebonne marsh to the open Gulf of Mexico, channeling tremendous tidal flow through a relatively narrow opening. Speckled trout, bull redfish, tarpon, and jack crevalle stack up in the pass during tidal changes, with the most explosive fishing occurring on strong outgoing tides during fall. The pass marks the transition from nearshore to offshore waters and is a natural funnel for migrating gamefish.
Lake Pelto
Lake Pelto is a shallow nearshore lake sitting between the lower marsh and the barrier islands in western Terrebonne Parish. Speckled trout and redfish populate the lake's oyster reefs and gas well channels, with excellent fall fishing as water temperatures drop and baitfish migrate southward. The lake's sheltered location protects it from Gulf swells, making it a reliable nearshore fishing option even when offshore conditions are too rough.
Other Species in Cocodrie
More fish you can target while visiting Cocodrie.
King Mackerel Fishing in Cocodrie — FAQ
King Mackerel fishing in Cocodrie is productive during May, June, July, August, September.
King Mackerel fishing charters in Cocodrie 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 Cocodrie, your captain provides all required Louisiana fishing licenses as part of the trip.
King Mackerel regulations in Louisiana 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 Cocodrie, you may also catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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