UTERKing mackerel fishing in The Florida Keys
In The Florida Keys, king mackerel peak December–March and are around November–May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: The winter mixing zone south of the Keys — kings on the reef edge and the Gulf-side wrecks; the Gulf Council manages them here year-round.
Snook opens in the backcountry; bones, permit and the return of the kings. Snook on the backcountry bridges and creeks; bonefish on the higher fall tides; kings and Spanish return to the reef edge and the wrecks.
King mackerel in The Florida Keys, month by month
- JanuaryPeakThe winter mixing zone south of the Keys — kings on the reef edge and the Gulf-side wrecks; the Gulf Council manages them here year-round.
- FebruaryPeakStill on the reef edge and wrecks.
- MarchPeakLeaving north up both coasts.
- AprilLeaving
- MayAround
- JuneNot here
- JulyNot here
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberNot hereSnook opens in the backcountry; bones, permit and the return of the kings. Snook on the backcountry bridges and creeks; bonefish on the higher fall tides; kings and Spanish return to the reef edge and the wrecks.
- NovemberArrivingThe winter kings arrive.
- DecemberPeakWinter pattern: bones on warm days, patches and bridges otherwise. Watch the water temperature: over 70 the flats fish, under it the patch reefs, the bridge channels and the wrecks.
Where to fish king mackerel near Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon
Oceanside flats and patch reefs inside the reef line, the reef itself, then the Gulf-side banks and basins of Florida Bay and the backcountry. Bridges and channels connect the two. The clearest, warmest water in the state.
Fish Scouter charts 1,715 ledge / hard bottom, 695 artificial reef, 340 wreck spots in the The Florida Keys map area — the kinds king mackerel hold on.
What to use for king mackerel
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- Cigar minnowsNose-hooked on a stinger rig for kings, or a 4/0 circle hook dropped to the bottom for grouper.
- Menhaden (pogies)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined or slow-trolled; cut in chunks for the bottom.
- Spanish sardinesNose-hooked and free-lined in a chum slick, or slow-trolled on a stinger rig.
- Speedos (redtail scad)Bridled through the nose on a kite or slow-trolled for sailfish, kingfish and blackfin.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–6/0
- Braid30–50 lb
Feeds in 66–82°F water, best at 68–76°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch king mackerel in The Florida Keys?
Peak season is December–March. King mackerel are in The Florida Keys November–May. January: The winter mixing zone south of the Keys — kings on the reef edge and the Gulf-side wrecks; the Gulf Council manages them here year-round.
Where do king mackerel hold in The Florida Keys?
Look on artificial reef, wreck, ledge / hard bottom — around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, Key West.
What is the best bait for king mackerel in The Florida Keys?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), threadfin herring (greenbacks), cigar minnows, menhaden (pogies). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–6/0, braid 30–50 lb.
What are the rules for king mackerel in The Florida Keys?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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