King Mackerel

King Mackerel are common in the waters off the East Coast of the United States and into the Gulf of Mexico. These fish are common along reefs and wrecks as well as anywhere small baitfish congregate. Larger fish exceeding 30 lbs, called “smokers”, move in close to shore off the East Coast of Florida during the late spring and summer months.’

Live baiting is the preferred method to catch these fish. Kings migrate in large schools and word of these schools travel quickly, often turning popular reefs into a “parking lot” with the congregation of fishermen.

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