Species guide · Virginia

King mackerel fishing in Virginia

Scomberomorus cavalla, a pelagic species also called kingfish, king and smoker kingfish. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Where it's scoring now All Virginia waters

Season by month

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

Mid-Atlantic

Jan: Not present
Feb: Not present
Mar: Not present
Apr: Not present
May: Not present
Jun: Not present
Jul: Off season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Off season
Nov: Not present
Dec: Not present

No peak months. In season (shoulder or peak): Aug to Sep.

Research notes, Mid-Atlantic region

Northern edge of the summer range. Mostly southern Virginia offshore of Virginia Beach in warm years; lower confidence than regions to the south.

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 Virginia bay system in the current 14-day forecast, which usually means the species is out of season.

Not scored in this forecast: Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek VA, Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Windmill Point VA, Chesapeake Bay from Windmill Point to New Point Comfort VA, Coastal waters from Chincoteague to Parramore Island VA out 20 NM, James River from Jamestown to the James River Bridge, James River from JRB to HRBT, Including the Elizabeth River, Rappahannock River from Urbanna to Windmill Point, Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA and York River.

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

VMRC saltwater regulations Buy a Virginia fishing license License types

Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Synced with VMRC Nov 1, 2026.

No reviewed king mackerel rule for Virginia is on file yet. Check with VMRC before you keep one.