Where They Live
King mackerel are pelagic — they run near the surface offshore and occasionally close to piers and inlets when bait schools push in. Hatteras and the Cape Hatteras pier have some of the best king fishing on the East Coast.
When to Fish
Late spring through fall. May through October with the peak typically in September–October as kings stack up before migrating south.
Best Tide
Tides matter less for kings than current and bait movement. Kings follow bait schools — when menhaden and Spanish macks are on the surface, kings are underneath.
How to Catch Them
- —Live bait (menhaden, spot, mullet) slow-trolled behind the boat is the top charter method.
- —Wire rigs are not optional — king mackerel have razor teeth that cut mono instantly.
- —From the pier, live bait on a wire rig deployed with a float out past the bar is the standard method.
- —Metal jigs in 2–4oz worked fast at the surface during feeding blitzes.
- —Topwater plugs when kings are actively busting on the surface.
- —Gaff only — a lipped fish is a bleeding hand. Always gaff.
From the Shack
The wire work on your rig is everything. A haywire twist is not optional — it is the only connection that will hold under the thrashing of a 30lb king. Never use a clinch knot to wire. Learn the haywire or buy a pre-made rig.
Top Rigs & Lures
- Kingfish Wire Rig
- Topwater Stick Bait
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