Know your target

King mackerel fishing around Tampa Bay

A seasonal bonus at deep Gulf-facing piers when big bait schools move through. Kings need space to run and a landing plan that follows pier rules.

Also known as: Kingfish, Kings

Harvest status today: Open (as of Oct 26, 2026)

Season: Open year-roundSlot: 24 inches fork length minimumBag: 3 per harvester (Gulf state waters)

Angler holding a king mackerel — Photo: Kristof Zyskowski (iNaturalist) · CC BY 4.0 · Source

FWC regulations (Tampa Bay region)

Season	Open year-round
Slot/size limit	24 inches fork length minimum
Bag limit	3 per harvester (Gulf state waters)
Special rules	Legal gear: hook and line and spearing only.

Source: FWC: King Mackerel · Checked 2026-10-26

“Checked” is the dataset reference date.

Regulations change; always confirm with FWC.

Fishing license: who needs one

A year on the water

When they're biting

Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.

JanFair

FebFair

MarGood

AprPeak

MayPeak

JunGood

JulFair

AugFair

SepGood

OctPeakThis month

NovPeak

DecGood

Swipe or scroll the table to see all months. General guidance: 0 = Rare, 1 = Fair, 2 = Good, 3 = Peak. Current month: Oct. Harvest status as of 2026-10-26 (America/New_York), at build time.

Month-by-month shore fishing guide
Species	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	OctThis month	Nov	Dec
King mackerel	Fair	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Fair	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Good

winter: A bait school near a deep Gulf-facing pier can produce a chance fish during mild spells.
spring: Watch the lower bay for fresh bait schools and allow room for a long first run.
summer: Shore opportunities vary; deep accessible water and lively bait matter more than a fixed schedule.
fall: Cooling water and moving bait make Gulf-facing piers worth watching. Confirm access first.

Top baits

Bait guide: hook placement, rigs and local seasonal tips →

Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.

live

cut

artificial

Silver spoon

Image credits

From the tackle bag

How to catch

General guidance; adapt tackle to conditions and follow current rules.

Hook: 3/0–5/0 single live-bait hook
Leader: Short wire bite leader ahead of 30–50 lb leader
Weight: Unweighted where safe; match current
Rig: Single-hook free-line rig, hooked lightly through the nostrils
Technique: Drift lively bait away from pilings without crossing other anglers.
Best tide: Moving water near a sand or structure edge; ease back when current makes bait control difficult.
Time of day: Dawn or late afternoon within posted access hours

Skyway Fishing Pier stretching across Tampa Bay — Skyway Fishing Pier State Park — North Pier · Photo credit

Find your shoreline

Where to go

Habitat suggestions, subject to access. Check each spot's status before going.

Skyway Fishing Pier State Park — North Pier Deep pier or pass structure offers a place to try; this is habitat guidance, not a confirmed catch report. Open
Fort De Soto Gulf Pier Deep pier or pass structure offers a place to try; this is habitat guidance, not a confirmed catch report. Open