King mackerel fishing in Charlotte Harbor

In Charlotte Harbor, king mackerel peak April–May and October–November and are around March–December, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Spring run on the reefs off Boca Grande and Sanibel.

Now · October

Peak

Fall run on the nearshore reefs.

King mackerel in Charlotte Harbor, month by month

JanuaryNot here
FebruaryNot here
MarchArriving
AprilPeakSpring run on the reefs off Boca Grande and Sanibel.
MayPeak
JuneAround
JulyAround
AugustAround
SeptemberAround
OctoberPeakFall run on the nearshore reefs.
NovemberPeakPeak fall.
DecemberAround

Where to fish king mackerel near Englewood, Boca Grande, Punta Gorda

Boca Grande Pass and the mangrove sounds behind it — Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha, the Caloosahatchee, Estero Bay — miles of mangrove shoreline, oyster bars, sand holes in the grass, and long barrier-island beaches from Gasparilla to Sanibel.

Structure it holds on

Artificial reefWreck

Towns and waters

EnglewoodBoca GrandePunta GordaPine IslandFort MyersNaples

Fish Scouter charts 254 artificial reef, 98 wreck, 56 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Charlotte Harbor & the Islands 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 Charlotte Harbor?

Peak season is April–May and October–November. King mackerel are in Charlotte Harbor March–December. April: Spring run on the reefs off Boca Grande and Sanibel.

Where do king mackerel hold in Charlotte Harbor?

Look on artificial reef, wreck — around Englewood, Boca Grande, Punta Gorda, Pine Island, Fort Myers, Naples.

What is the best bait for king mackerel in Charlotte Harbor?

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 Charlotte Harbor?

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/.

The current FWC rule →Open the app for today's king mackerel read

Fish it with the tide in your pocket

Fish Scouter scores king mackerel for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.

Start 14 free days

All about king mackerel · Charlotte Harbor & the Islands, the whole year

Other fish in Charlotte Harbor & the Islands