Damn Good Kingfish Fishing Charters

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Top Cities for Kingfish Fishing

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Kingfish Fishing Charters

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Puerto Vallarta

Bay Fishing Puerto Vallarta

100% (6) Managed by Ariel
22 ft 1 - 12 People From $400
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Orange Beach

OBA Fishing On 40' Sportsfisher

100% (15) Managed by Tristan
40 ft 1 - 18 People From $1,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in Port Orange

Daytona Beach Nearshore

100% (20) Guided by Chris
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $950
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing in Shalimar

Quick Catches In The Gulf

100% (17) Guided by Robert
24 ft 1 - 6 People From $675
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Miami Beach

Miami Beach Mixed Bag

100% (5) Managed by Daniel
32 ft 1 - 10 People From $1,000
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Deep Sea, Nearshore in Miami

3/4 Day Trip Miami

100% (13) Guided by Jorge
28 ft 1 - 4 People From $900
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Everything to Know About Booking a kingfish fishing charter

What are the best kingfish fishing charters?

The best kingfish fishing charters are:

What is a King Mackerel / Kingfish?


The king mackerel, commonly known as kingfish, uncommonly known as Scomberomorus cavalla, is a migratory member of the mackerel family and is native to the Atlantic Coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico down to the coast of Brazil.


Kingfish are one of the largest members of the mackerel family (smaller than its cousin the wahoo, for instance). They are a popular fish to target in the summer months and are great for nearshore fishing - you don’t need to head out too far from shore to catch them and they are usually around in good numbers.

The kingfish is similar in appearance to some other members of the mackerel family and at first glance have few distinct characteristics. They are a grey/silver fish with minuscule scales and small dorsal and pelvic fins. Juvenile fish can show yellow spots on their rear end similar to a spanish mackerel.

Kings are a popular fish for both sport and commercial operations, as it is both a powerful fish to catch that sometimes jumps and can go on some tough runs, and is also fairly abundant. They are also schooling fish, so once you’re on them, you’re on them.



### How big do King Mackerel / Kingfish get?


While they are known to get to be huge reaching 100 pounds, 70+ inches, and almost 20 years. Giant kingfish are sometimes called smokers because of their ability to peel line off of a reel so fast that it starts smoking. Kingfish are generally caught at much more reasonable weights between 10 and 30 pounds. Females are the bigger of the two genders, with males generally maxing out at around 15 pounds.

To spawn, females will shed between 50,000 and millions of eggs over the course of the spawning season and males will simultaneously release sperm, whose union is entirely by chance in the sea. Yearling fish can be 3-4 pounds and 24 inches fork length (the length from head to the split in their tail).

What's the biggest King Mackerel ever caught?

The current IGFA all tackle world record kingfish is 93 pounds, caught out of San Juan in 1999 by Steve Graulau. The Florida record stands at 90 pounds, and its not unusual for 70+ pound fish to be caught off Key West.

Where is the best place to catch Kingfish?


Kingfish can be found both inshore and offshore, but are frequently fished within a few miles in depths between 50 and 150 ft. They can be found around reefs, wrecks, and buoys, but can also swim solo when older and are frequently caught from the surf or around inlets.

They range all over the western Atlantic Ocean and are found from about North Carolina (although they can be found up to the Gulf of Maine) on the north end to Rio de Janeiro on the southern end. Florida is a great place to fish them because this is where stocks from both the Atlantic and the Gulf mingle, and they can both be found in good numbers.


Because kingfish are migratory, their numbers will vary based on the season and location, but the big kingfish generally return to the same areas year over year (for those curious, generally Texas, Louisiana, and Florida).

When should I catch Kingfish?

In the US, the season is always open for king mackerel, assuming you can find them! That being said, there is often a size limit of between 24 and 27 inches depending on the state, and a bag limit per angler per day of 2 for Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, and 3 for the Carolinas and Georgia.

Since kingfish prefer warmer waters, they can be year round on the southern half of Florida but across the Gulf and further up the Atlantic the fishing will be best in the summer months.


There are two big groups of migratory kings that have been identified, with one preferring the Texas coast in summer to mid-Florida November to March. An Atlantic group engages in a similar pattern, spending time in the Carolinas and Virginia in the summer months and the other side of Florida in the winter.

How do you catch Kingfish?


Kingfish are schooling fish so when the bite heats up, you’re liable to get a number of fish to the boat, but its important to make sure you have the right gear - many an angler has gotten broken off by their sharp teeth. You also want to make sure you have enough line so you don’t get spooled by a particularly large king as they are known to go on big runs.

Most king mackerel are caught trolling, and often bite the tail, so make sure you set a hook in the back of your lure. Kingfish have not only sharp teeth but also good eyesight, meaning you want some sort of wire leader to avoid getting broken off but you want to keep it thin enough so it doesn’t spook any fish. Kingfish can be caught on live bait or lures. 


Are Kingfish good to eat? What are the best King Mackerel recipes?


Kingfish meat is commonly eaten but is not known to be a great food option. The meat is darker and leaner, and falls somewhere in the middle on the taste scale. Plenty are taken and eaten, but it is not particularly sought out as a dinner option. The meat tends to be a bit oily, so can be smoked well. It is also frequently marinated and grilled.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Jorge was great. We unfortunately went out at a slow time of year and the fishing that day wasn't the best. We still managed to catch a few and Jorge worked hard to make sure we all got a fish. Also a knowledgeable and cool guy all around, would definitely go out again!

    Nils B. | September 17, 2025

    Trip: 3/4 Day Trip Miami

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time with captain Kevin he put us on some good fish and had some great conversations looking forward to fishing with him again!!!

    Bryce K. | September 6, 2025

    Trip: Extended Day Deep Sea

  • ★★★★★
    Augustin was a very nice guy!

    Jared C. | August 31, 2025

    Trip: State Water Snapper!!

  • ★★★★★
    My wife and I could not have asked for a better guide. Captain Max and his deckhand, Jacob, were exceptionally personable, knowledgeable, and truly made our experience a priority. From the moment we stepped on board, they made us feel welcome and comfortable, taking the time to tailor the trip to what we wanted most. Their expertise and passion for fishing were evident, and they went above and beyond to ensure we had a successful day on the water. We caught more fish than expected and had a blast the entire time. If you’re looking for a top-notch deep sea fishing experience in the Panama City Beach area, look no further—Captain Max and his crew are the best!

    Trent W. | August 21, 2025

    Trip: 4-Hour Offshore Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    We had Capt Chris, not Adam and he was great. Thanks for a great time!

    Shawn B. | August 21, 2025

    Trip: Captain's Choice - 24' Tidewater

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