King mackerel (also called kingfish) are caught mostly by trolling from April through October in the Port St. Joe area. The offshore fishing charters will target these fish along with other offshore fish when they troll. King Mackerel will hit a variety of live baits and artificial lures.
How to Catch Kingfish
Kingfish are a schooling and migrating fish that spends the winter months in south Florida then moves north along the Gulf coast and up the Atlantic coast to the Carolinas. Kingfish are targeted offshore near the reefs, wrecks, rock piles and oil rigs. Inshore, you can also find some kingfish along the beaches, near the surf, around piers, bridges and in the passes.
Anglers typically troll inshore and nearshore for kingfish along the beaches. Kingfish can be found roaming the beaches looking for schools of bait fish. Most kingfish fishermen troll with live baits, but artificial spoons, jigs and crankbaits can also be effective. Bottom fishing with live bait is another way to catch kingfish. This can be productive inshore or offshore on the reefs, wrecks, rock piles and around oil rigs.
