nearshore

King Mackerel (Kingfish)

Scomberomorus cavalla

Nearshore live-bait pattern. Smoker kings late spring through fall.

Preferred water temp68–80°F

Preferred depth30–200 ft

Holds onwrecks, bait schools

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 27, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 2 of 12 regulations for Texas

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 24″ FL (fork length)

Federal Gulf: 3/angler/day, 24" FL min.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ TL (total length)

3/person/day, 27" TL min.

Texas Parks & Wildlife.