Deep Sea Fishing

King Mackerel Fishing North Carolina

By Trey Gordon 4 March, 2023 6 mins read

It's time to get to know a bit more about king mackerel and the best places to find them in North Carolina if you have never fished for them before. In this article, you'll learn about the species and location of the king mackerel run, as well as how to prepare these delicious fish for cooking. You will also find a delicious recipe for King Mackerel to impress your family and friends.

Species of king mackerel in North Carolina waters

King mackerela fish are large, long-legged fish with long sides and silvery backs. Some species have bronze spots on their sides. However, these spots will fade with time. Their tails are forked. The lateral line of their tails dips downward at their second dorsal tip. They have a white belly, and typically measure between 30-40 inches in length.

King mackerel may be commercially fished within the western zone. It extends from Texas through Alabama. Fishing season is July 1 to June 30 with a 3,000-pound trip limit per person. Popular live bait fish include mullet and cigar minnows. Live bait can be used such as blue runners, herring and mullet.

Although cero mackerel is also called king mackerel by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, they have never been caught in North Carolina waters. Cero mackerel will be easily distinguished from king marauderel. They have a black area along the leading edge of their dorsal fin, whereas king marauderel have no markings.

The king mackerel is an aggressive, large fish that lives in water. They are the largest mackerel species in the western Atlantic and eat many types of fish. These stocks have been designated sustainable and healthy by commercial fishing in N.C. waters. In 1997, recreational and commercial anglers landed 1,801 967 lbs. North Carolina waters are home to king mackerel.

King mackerel reproduces during the spawning season. They can release millions upon millions of eggs. Within 24 hours, eggs incubated in water column fertiles hatch. The newly hatched larvae are 2.5 millimeters long and have a large yolk sack. King mackerel live to be seven years old, and they weigh between tens and thirty-five and a half-ton.

The king mackerel inhabit coastal regions in the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Massachusetts to Brazil. They can be found in the Gulf of Mexico too, as they mix their Atlantic Ocean stocks with those of the Gulf of Mexico. These species are important to the local economy as they are abundant in North Carolina waters. They can be eaten as steaks or canned in fresh and canned versions.

Size of a king mackerel

It doesn't matter how big you are when it comes king mackerel fishing! While these fish can weigh up to 50lbs, they are typically a couple inches shorter. King mackerel will eat Blue Runners, Northern Mackerels, Striped Anchovys, Weakfish, and Cutlassfish. King mackerel, which are abundant in North Carolina, are a great choice of fish for fishing. These fish live in coastal areas all year.

King mackerel is a pelagic fish that migrates from the Gulf Stream to coastal areas of the Eastern seaboard. They will follow mullet closer to shore, also known locally as "pogies". King mackerel are most common around bottom structures or near live bottom. The size of a king mackerel varies, but most are between 30 and 45 inches long.

King mackerel like warm waters, and they rarely venture to the Atlantic coast's frigid waters. They migrate from one end of the Atlantic to the other during spring and autumn. However, they are also caught in the Gulf of Maine, as far north as Virginia. The largest fish can reach up to 100 pounds and have a maximum length of 5.5 feet. King mackerel fishing can be difficult in North Carolina. There are a few angling techniques you need to learn, but they are simple to master.

The size of king mackerel is a major consideration when choosing the right gear to fish for the species. North Carolina's bag limit is three fish per person. Each state has a different bag limit. Generally, recreational fishermen use spoons or gill nets to target king mackerel. Commercial fishermen must have a permit to harvest these fish.

You can catch King mackerel by trolling with several baitfish. The most effective method is slow trolling, where multiple baits are pulled slowly at a slow speed. Most common baits are dead ribbonfish (dead Atlantic menhaden), cigar minnows (live Atlantic menhaden), and cigar minnows (cigar minnows). Fisherman may even organize fishing tournaments for King Mackerel. These tournaments award prizes to fishermen who catch and release more than 30 pounds, which is approximately twice the legal limit.

North Carolina waters are the location of the King Mackerel Run

Three times per year, the king mackerel runs in North Carolinian waters. This is the best time to catch these large fish, as it's available in three months: spring, fall, winter. You can also use live bait with treble hooks and 12 to 20lb. You can also use tackle to catch these tasty fish. They are about 15-30 pounds in weight. However, they are sometimes larger and can weigh up to 60 pounds.

All year, the location of the North Carolinian king mackerel runs is known. This fish migrates to specific locations to spawn. Typically, they are in the Gulf of Mexico during the winter months. They migrate southward along North Carolina's coasts to North Carolina waters in the spring. These fish can be caught in small boats, as long as they're not too far from the shoreline.

The Carolina coast is unsurpassed during this period. The fishing is excellent from shore to thirty-miles offshore. Fishing can be done with either live or dead bait from anywhere between one and 30 miles offshore. These giants can both be caught using live or dead bait. These kings can often be found in schools which makes it easy to catch them. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, there's a fishing event just for you.

Anglers can also catch the King Mackerel by fishing from boats and piers at sea. Slow trolling with live or dead bait and artificial lures is the most efficient method. Anchoring is best done when the current or wind moves the bait. Anchoring is easiest done in shallower areas, and on top of a piece. A king mackerel might visit your boat if you are lucky.

Both commercial and recreational fishing in North Carolina support the king-mackerel run. North Carolina's fishing industry landed just less than one million pounds in 2017. Commercial harvest accounted for 65 percent of total landings, while recreational catch accounted for thirty-four percent. However, the recreational harvest has been declining sharply since 2008. It was also 26 percent less than the 10-year-average.

Cooking king mackerel

North Carolina residents may already have had the chance to cook king mackerel. These tasty fish can be found along the East coast's beaches and in waters like the Gulf Stream. Brunswick Island lies at the center of this migration, which attracts king macaques closer to shore. King mackerel tend to be found on the bottom, where they follow bait schools into harbors.

Cooking king mackerel requires that you first prepare a thick fillet. Thicker fillets can then be pan-fried to firm them up. To lightly coat the fish in the marinade, add two tablespoons olive oil.

Grilling or smoking king mackerel is a good option. Before grilling it, season it with salt and pepper. You can also add some slices of lemon to the skin, which will enhance the flavor. Serve the grilled fish or smoked fish along with cilantro-rice, once they are cooked. For a healthier version, you can also try brining the fish with water and iodized salt, or a brown sugar brine.

The best time to catch king mackerel is spring and fall. They can be found throughout the year. The larger fish tend to be attracted to the cooler temperatures. Slow trolling with multiple baitfish, such as cigar minnows or live Atlantic menhaden, is an effective method. Multiple baits will be pushed behind the boat by slow-trolling. This technique is far more effective than trying to catch large king mackerel from shallow depths.

Spanish mackerel have a higher taste than king mackerel. They can be found in the Carolinas during the summer and fall. They are caught with Gotcha plugs and have hard meat. Grilling these fish will help remove excess oil and fat from the meat. They make wonderful dinners.

FAQ

What is the best bait for freshwater fishing?

The best bait for freshwater fishing is live shrimp. Shrimp are affordable, simple to catch, and taste fantastic!

What time does it take you to catch a salmon?

It depends on the size of the fish and the skill level of the fisherman. The time it takes to catch a fish is anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. You have a better chance of landing a large fish if you wait longer.

What's the right fishing rod length?

The kind of fish that you are looking to catch determines the length of your fishing line. If you want to catch smallmouth bass, a rod of 6'6 inches would be the best. A 7'5" rod would be better if your goal is largemouth bass.

Where can you buy your fishing supplies?

You can purchase all of these items at most sporting goods stores. However, if you are looking for something specific, you may want to check online. Many websites sell everything, from rods to reels to tackle boxes to lures.

Statistics

About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
To substantiate this theory, Knight attempted a systematic inquiry by considering the timing of 200 'record' catches, more than 90 percent were made during a new moon (when no moon is visible). (myfwc.com)