South Carolina · Grand Strand
KING MACKEREL FISHING
IN MURRELLS INLET
Murrells Inlet is an excellent destination for king mackerel fishing, with peak season in May, October and good catches in April, June, September. Book a charter and target king mackerel with local experts.
About King Mackerel Fishing in Murrells Inlet
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 — Murrells Inlet
Month-by-month availability for king mackerel in Murrells Inlet, SC.
How to Catch King Mackerel in Murrells Inlet
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 Murrells Inlet
Top spots where local captains target king mackerel and other nearshore species.
Murrells Inlet Jetties
The rock jetties guarding the mouth of Murrells Inlet are a nearshore fishing hotspot, attracting sheepshead, black drum, flounder, and mangrove snapper to their submerged boulders. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel patrol the outside edges during warmer months. Fishing the jetties on an outgoing tide is one of the most reliable nearshore techniques available from this port.
Murrells Inlet Artificial Reef (AR-315)
The AR-315 artificial reef complex sits a few miles offshore of Murrells Inlet in roughly 45 feet of water, built from concrete rubble, reef balls, and decommissioned vessels. Black sea bass, sheepshead, spadefish, and triggerfish populate the structure year-round, with cobia and king mackerel appearing in summer. It is one of the most visited nearshore reef sites along the Grand Strand.
Surfside Beach Pier
Surfside Beach Pier provides land-based access to nearshore Atlantic waters just north of Murrells Inlet. Whiting, pompano, flounder, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel are caught along the pier throughout the season. King mackerel runs in fall bring tournament-level excitement, with fish often hooked within sight of the beach.
The Grouper Grounds
A stretch of natural live-bottom reef approximately eight miles offshore of Murrells Inlet, this area features limestone ledges and hard bottom covered in sponge and coral. Black sea bass, gag grouper, vermilion snapper, and sheepshead hold tight to the structure. The reef attracts a devoted following of local bottom-fishing enthusiasts who guard their GPS waypoints closely.
Other Species in Murrells Inlet
More fish you can target while visiting Murrells Inlet.
King Mackerel Fishing in Murrells Inlet — FAQ
The peak months for King Mackerel fishing in Murrells Inlet are May, October. During these months, King Mackerel are most active and abundant in the Murrells Inlet area.
King Mackerel fishing charters in Murrells Inlet 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 Murrells Inlet, your captain provides all required South Carolina fishing licenses as part of the trip.
King Mackerel regulations in South Carolina 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 Murrells Inlet, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, Flounder, Pompano, Cobia. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch King Mackerel in Murrells Inlet?
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