Mississippi · Gulf Coast
KING MACKEREL FISHING
IN BILOXI
Biloxi is a solid destination for king mackerel fishing, with good fishing in June, July, September. Book a charter and target king mackerel with local experts.
About King Mackerel Fishing in Biloxi
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 — Biloxi
Month-by-month availability for king mackerel in Biloxi, MS.
How to Catch King Mackerel in Biloxi
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 Biloxi
Top spots where local captains target king mackerel and other nearshore species.
Ship Island Pass
Ship Island Pass is the channel between East and West Ship Island in the barrier island chain south of Biloxi, where strong tidal currents funnel baitfish and attract Spanish mackerel, redfish, pompano, and jack crevalle. The pass's deep channel edges and sand bars create dramatic structure changes that concentrate feeding fish during tidal exchanges. Summer and fall produce the best action as migrating species move through the barrier island passes.
Biloxi Lighthouse Pier Reef
The artificial reef structures deployed near the historic Biloxi Lighthouse area in Mississippi Sound attract sheepshead, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum to the concrete and limestone rubble. These nearshore reefs sit in shallow enough water to be accessible by small boats and kayaks on calm days. The reef's proximity to Biloxi's public launch ramps makes it an ideal half-day fishing destination for anglers seeking quick access to productive structure.
West Ship Island Surf
The Gulf-facing beach on West Ship Island offers excellent surf fishing for pompano, whiting, redfish, and Spanish mackerel along the pristine barrier island shoreline. The island's position twelve miles offshore ensures cleaner water and stronger currents than the mainland beaches, which keeps baitfish and gamefish close to the sand bars. The passenger ferry from Biloxi provides access, and anglers can wade the surf while enjoying one of Mississippi's most scenic fishing backdrops.
Biloxi Channel Markers
The navigational channel markers running through Mississippi Sound from Biloxi to the barrier islands serve as nearshore fish-attracting structure, with each piling holding sheepshead, mangrove snapper, speckled trout, and flounder around its barnacle-encrusted base. Working a line of channel markers by anchoring and dropping live shrimp is a proven technique that produces consistent mixed-species catches. The markers are especially productive during winter months when sheepshead school tightly around the hard structure.
Other Species in Biloxi
More fish you can target while visiting Biloxi.
King Mackerel Fishing in Biloxi — FAQ
King Mackerel fishing in Biloxi is productive during June, July, September.
King Mackerel fishing charters in Biloxi 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 Biloxi, your captain provides all required Mississippi fishing licenses as part of the trip.
King Mackerel regulations in Mississippi 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 Biloxi, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Red Snapper. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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