The Best Bait to Catch a King Mackerel

King mackerel, also known as kingfish or kings, is a long, slender fish that is a member of the tuna family. Kingfish are a migratory fish typically found in the warm waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from as far north as North Carolina to as far south as Brazil. Some king mackerels have been found in the Gulf of Mexico as well. King mackerels are a popular gamefish for saltwater fisherman because they put up a strong fight when hooked. They can be caught using at least 20-lb. line and tackle using a number of different types of baits, both live and artificial.

  1. Porgies

    • One of the best baits to catch king mackerels are porgies. Also known as bunker or menhaden, porgies are a bottom-feeding bait fish found along the eastern coast of North America all the way to the Texas Gulf Coast. A solitary fish, porgies are typically found in about 20 feet of water and can be caught using a cast net. Hooking them through the mouth or nostril is the best way to keep them alive while trolling for king mackerels. They can also be fished in still water using weights or sinkers.

    Mullet

    • Mullet are a warm water bait fish found off the coast of Florida -- both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts -- usually in shallow water along shorelines and in bays and coves. There are two varieties of mullet: the striped mullet and the white mullet. Both can be caught using a cast net used in the surf or the shallow part of an inland waterway. They are a school fish, so a properly thrown cast net should result in a haul of multiple mullets. They can be used as live bait for trolling, or deboned, weighted and hooked in several spots then sewn back together and fished in deep water using downriggers.

    Ribbonfish

    • Ribbonfish are a difficult bait to catch, but are considered to be an ideal bait fish for king mackerels. They are typically found in the North Atlantic in very deep water, although some have been harvested as far south as Florida's Gold Coast. Although live ribbonfish are the ideal choice, frozen ribbonfish can be purchased, thawed and rigged in a way to make them appear to be live bait, such as with a boxer jig hooked through the mouth. They can be fished while anchored or trolling.

    Artificial Lures

    • Almost any type of artificial lure can be used to catch king mackerel as long as the set up is right. Lures that have shown to be productive include spoons, jigs and other flashy subsurface lures. Artificial baits that resemble their favorite prey are successful, too. Look for lures that resemble porgies, ribbonfish and mullet. As with live baits, artificial lures are best fished while trolling using downriggers, but can be combined with spoons and sinkers to fish in still, deep water as well.