Damn Good Kingfish Fishing Charters

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Top Cities for Kingfish Fishing

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Kingfish Fishing Charters

Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Miami

8hr Offshore Big Game Trip

100% (19)
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,299
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Marathon

Marathon Premier Fishing

100% (10)
40 ft 1 - 6 People From $950
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in St. Petersburg

4-8 Hour Fishing Trip

100% (6)
22 ft 1 - 4 People From $400
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Miami

Deep Sea Trip

100% (1)
43 ft 1 - 6 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

Deep Sea Fishing in Clearwater

Half Day 4 Hrs. Offshore Experience

100% (4)
42 ft 1 - 12 People From $750
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Fort Lauderdale

Half Day Fort Lauderdale

100% (3)
28 ft 1 - 4 People From $600
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Everything to Know About Booking a kingfish fishing charter

What are the best kingfish fishing charters?

Why should I book a kingfish fishing charter with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 888 kingfish trips, and the most popular trips are Clearwater Nearshore Fishing guided by , Kids Fishing - 25’ Sea Born guided by , and Key West "Flex" Sportfishing guided by .

Our guides are rated a 4.87 out of 5 based on 4195 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly kingfish guides / fishing lessons? Check out our beginner and family friendly kingfish guides.

What types of kingfish fishing charters are common?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing for kingfish as well as nearshore fishing, inshore fishing, and jetty fishing.

The most common fishing techniques are trolling, bottom fishing, and heavy tackle fishing but light tackle fishing and live bait fishing are popular as well.

How much do kingfish fishing charters cost?

Prices for kingfish can range anywhere from about $750 to $5,083, but the average price for a half day trip for kingfish is $1,453. The average price for a full day trip for kingfish is $3,125.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for kingfish fishing?

The most popular season for kingfish fishing is summer, and most anglers book their trips 22 days in advance.

Do I need a fishing license for kingfish and what are the bag limits for kingfish?

See here for more information on kingfish fishing licenses, kingfish bag limits, and fishing season regulations for kingfish. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right kingfish rules and regulations.

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

  • ★★★★★
    The trip was exceptional. The weather was colder but Corey kept us on the fish and we caught a lot of fish. We would definitely book with Corey again.

    James D. | March 20, 2025

    Trip: Orange Beach Mixed Bag

  • ★★★★★
    We had a wonderful time today fishing with Shannon! The weather was perfect and we got to catch a good number of fish! Thank you for a wonderful morning!

    Jodi C. | March 19, 2025

    Trip: Nearshore Trophy Thrills

  • ★★★★★
    We really enjoyed our trip brad was very knowledgeable and helpful as was his deckhand very easygoing and professional I will be back soon to book with him again

    John D. | March 15, 2025

    Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    excellent!! we had a Blast !! thank you both !!! we will be back again for sure !! see ya then ⛱️🌴

    Debra B. | March 15, 2025

    Trip: Clearwater Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time and caught a bunch of fish. Really enjoyed the trip

    Michael J. | March 9, 2025

    Trip: South Padre Island Deep Sea

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome day! The Fish had no chance! The Yellowtail and Mahi wore us out reeling them in. Great Captain, great fish, great experience! We will be booking again on our next visit.

    Christopher K. | March 6, 2025

    Trip: Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck and Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    Gage and Noah were great. They knew where to find the fish and kept us catching several kinds of fish throughout the trip. We went as a family and they kept the kids busy and were a big help showing them exactly what to do. I would definitely recommend them!

    Katherine F. | March 5, 2025

    Trip: Clearwater Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    My son and I went out for two days with Hans and Adam. It could not have been a better experience. Great times, great people, great fishing. I would recommend them for anyone looking for a family fishing experience.

    Robert C. | February 21, 2025

    Trip: Key West Fishing Slam

  • ★★★★★
    We had an amazing trip with Captain Tony. He was super knowledgeable, kind and patient with a new young angler. He put us directly on fish and specifically the tuna we wanted. We will fish with Tony again for sure. If you are looking for guide, Tony is the man and knows the Key West waters and area well being born and raised in Key West.

    Britt B. | February 18, 2025

    Trip: Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck and Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    We had a wonderful afternoon fishing with Antonio and Tony!! Very pleasant and attentive, constantly moving to find us the best spots. Went above and beyond to ensure we caught fish, even on a slow day. Would highly recommend

    Rodney G. | February 9, 2025

    Trip: Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck and Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great trip with Brad. He was prompt and polite, but most importantly, a very attentive and experienced captain. He gave us many options for our outing and let us determine the course of our day. Highly recommend!

    Curtis C. | January 10, 2025

    Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Brad and his first mate were first class. Helped us fish for all different kinds of fish. We even caught a 6 foot sailfish! Our family had a very nice time and highly recommend Captain Brad!

    Michael V. | December 25, 2024

    Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had an outstanding day fishing with Rooster & Braxton on Christmas Eve Day. We limited out on red snappers in a hour with a 12 pound average. Would recommend Rooster as a captain because he is very knowledgeable & patient with novice anglers.

    Brian M. | December 24, 2024

    Trip: Captain Daniel's Fish Frenzy

  • ★★★★★
    Great time for some first timers! Tyler and Allen were awesome with their instruction and knowledge about the sport. We will be back!!

    Stephanie R. | November 28, 2024

    Trip: Fishing with Capt Tyler 4-12hrs!

  • ★★★★★
    Johnny and JT were great! Winter fishing is tough but we all had a great time! I would definitely book a trip with Johnny again!

    Carmel B. | November 26, 2024

    Trip: Alabama Inshore Magic

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Corey did an awesome job would. recommend

    Jerry C. | November 2, 2024

    Trip: Half Day Gulf Classics

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Scott is absolutely Bbbaadd to the bone, in a great way. He was very attentive, super clean boat, very helpful on how to real in Amber Jack's, which helped a lot because that fish will fight you every second. He took outstanding videos and pictures. He took me to great spots to catch mahi mahi and amber Jack's. I couldn't have asked for a better trip or captain. The mahi mahi fish tacos are absolutely fire as well.

    Scott S. | October 28, 2024

    Trip: Bad to the Bone Offshore

  • ★★★★★
    Bradley was very good with making these 10-15 year old boys make sure they knew what to do and had a good time of fun. He made sure they each had a rod, baited. Nd could cast it where they needed. For two first time fisherman, they had a blast. The 10 yr old catch the most fish. We got back to the condo, and he told his dad let’s go fishing tomorrow. Thanks for a great first trip, saltwater fishing for theses boys.

    Douglas | October 6, 2024

    Trip: Orange Beach Hook up!

  • ★★★★★
    Had a really great time it was my son‘s birthday and my two grandsons was with him and a couple of friends and Captain Willis really did this extraordinarily great great kid Jake his first mate was jumping around the boat putting bait on my hooks really did great. I recommend this crew For your fishing experience and later met the owner Danny at his restaurant, all the guys are telling Danny about their experience on the boat. All excited the food was good at the restaurant Danny’s group at the restaurant was perfect. Danny is the owner was really phenomenal, on his appreciation of our decision to do business with his Services offered. If you’re looking to have a great experience, I would suggest you look these guys up in Port Aransas

    David L. | October 6, 2024

    Trip: Into the Depths- Captain Daniel

  • ★★★★★
    Capt. Corey was awesome. We caught lots of fish.

    John C S. | October 5, 2024

    Trip: Half Day Gulf Classics

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