Big king mackerel like this one can be caught within a few miles off the Port O’Connor jetties during July and August on both lures and live baits. Robert Sloan photo
There is one fish that I like to target right about now and that’s a king mackerel. We have some of the best fishing for kings on the entire Gulf Coast right off the Port O’Connor jetties. I’m talking about huge kings, many of which are feeding around big schools of menhaden.
The average size of a king mackerel is anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds. But they get a lot heavier than that. The state record weighed 79 pounds, and was 58.50 inches long. It was caught on Aug. 20, 2006. The current leader in the king mackerel division of the STAR weighs 62.13 pounds. Second place weighs 51.9 and third is 42.11. Kings have been known to weigh more than 90 pounds. The world record weighed 93 pounds.
King mackerel are among the most sought-after gamefish throughout their range from North Carolina to Texas. They are long and silver, and crazy fast. Known throughout the sportfishing world for their blistering runs, the king mackerel matches its distant relative, the wahoo, in speed.
(Want to tap into the action right now? Call Capt. Robert Sloan at 409-782-6796.)
A king mackerel is a true player when it comes to offshore fishing. They are faster than greased lightning, and are capable of melting line off a reel. They are voracious feeders, and will hit just about anything that won’t eat them first. You can catch them on topwater plugs, trolling lures, live baits and even on fly fishing gear.
Kings can be found feeding around schools of baitfish, around rigs, along weed lines and behind shrimp boats.
The most exciting way to catch these tackle wreckers is with a topwater lure, and one of the best is a Super Spook in silver or blue/chrome. Kings are well known for shooting out of the water like a missile when they charge a topwater. When it comes to world class topwater action kings rule. Imagine a lure that was originally built to catch largemouth bass, getting ripped by a 30 pound streak of silver full of razor sharp teeth.
Other well-known lures for taking kings include silver spoons, feather jigs, lipless cranks and deep divers. A Rapala Saltwater Magnum is very popular for trolling deep. The 7 to 9 inch models are best. They will run 18 to 25 feet deep. A Bomber Super Pogy is a good lipless trolling or casting lure. It’s 3-1/2 inches long with loud high-pitched rattles and a tight wobble. This is one of my favorites for casting around anchored shrimpers that are culling the nights catch. C&H King Buster jigs come rigged on a wire leader trailing a skirted jig with a single treble hook. This is a good jig/live bait rig. It can also be rigged with a dead bait like a ballyhoo or cigar minnow for trolling.
With a mouth full of glistening teeth it’s a given that wire leaders are a must when targeting kings. You can either rig them yourself, or buy pre-rigged leaders with a black barrel swivel on one end, and snap swivel, for quick change out of lures, on the other end. They are available in 6 to 18 inch lengths. Always go with a single strand Titanium leader in black.
If you’re dead set on catching big kings, fish in the 30 to 50 pound class, go after them with live baits. Small hardtails, a.k.a. blue runners, in the 5 to 8 inch length are deadly. So are fresh caught pogies. Blue runners can be caught on Sabiki jigs fished around rigs. Pogies are caught in open water with a fast sinking cast net. Live pinfish and croakers are also very good. Live baits can be free-lined, fished on down-riggers or bump trolled behind the boat.
Two of the best months to target king mackerel are July and August. Let’s go fishing!
Get in on the action by calling Capt. Robert Sloan at 409-782-6796, email – sloan288@aol.com or go to www.luckystrikeguide.com.
