Species guide · Georgia

King mackerel fishing in Georgia

Scomberomorus cavalla, a pelagic species also called kingfish, king and smoker kingfish. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Peak season, about 6 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach FL out 20 NM at 63, one of 2 Georgia bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Peak season

Where it's scoring now All Georgia waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

South Atlantic

Peak season, about 6 more weeks

Jan: Off season
Feb: Off season
Mar: Off season
Apr: Shoulder season
May: Peak season
Jun: Shoulder season
Jul: Shoulder season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Peak season
Oct: Peak season
Nov: Shoulder season
Dec: Off season

Peak: May, Sep to Oct. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Nov.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Spring fish reach Northeast Florida and Georgia in April-May; North Carolina beaches, piers and inlet mouths peak in late summer and fall. Winter fish hold near the shelf edge just inside the Gulf Stream (NCDMF).

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 2

Georgia bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's king mackerel score this hour.

63Good

Coastal waters from Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach FL out 20 NM

Best window today 5-8 PM (77) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 6 PM (77) · 44 named spots

60Good

Coastal waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 nm, including Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Best window today 5-7 PM (78) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 6 PM (78) · 26 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 68°F to 86°F, best between 70°F and 81°F.
Water depth: 15 to 250 ft of water.
Structure: Reef, wreck, ledge, pier, inlet, open water and bank, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers incoming tide and moving water, with moderate current.Near the beach and at pier ends, kings bite best when moving water pushes clean green water and bait along the shoreline and inlet mouths. Offshore, bait and current edges matter more than tide stage.
Light: Bites best around dawn and dusk.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 20 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Kings roam from beaches and pier ends out to reefs, wrecks and ledges in 40 to 200 feet, usually feeding in the upper half of the water column. Slow-troll live menhaden, blue runners or cigar minnows on a light wire stinger rig, or pull spoons and ribbonfish past bait schools. Look for clean green water above 68 F with bait and birds on it.

Methods: slow trolling, trolling, drifting live bait, pier fishing, casting
Lures: spoons, deep-diving plugs, skirted duster rigs with ribbonfish, jigs
Bait: live menhaden, blue runners, cigar minnows, Spanish sardines, ribbonfish, ballyhoo, threadfin herring

Regulations

GADNR CRD saltwater regulations Buy a Georgia fishing license License types

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division. Synced with GADNR CRD Sep 17, 2026.

No reviewed king mackerel rule for Georgia is on file yet. Check with GADNR CRD before you keep one.