Species guide · North Carolina

King mackerel fishing in North Carolina

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

Season now

Peak season

Where it's scoring now All North Carolina 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 · 0

The Waterlands engine isn't scoring king mackerel in any North Carolina bay system in the current 14-day forecast.

Not scored in this forecast: Albemarle Sound, Alligator River, Coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM, Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm, Croatan and Roanoke Sounds, Currituck Sound, Neuse and Bay Rivers, Pamlico and Pungo Rivers and Pamlico Sound.

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

NCDMF saltwater regulations Buy a North Carolina fishing license License types

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with NCDMF Sep 17, 2026.

No reviewed king mackerel rule for North Carolina is on file yet. Check with NCDMF before you keep one.