As we dream of warmer temps here in Clearwater, Florida, let me introduce you to one of our favorite things about springtime fishing: the king mackerel. 

Kingfish (king mackerel) are migratory and run up and down our west coast of Florida in spring and fall. When the water temps rise we usually start to see them in mid March. We troll for kings along with Spanish mackerel, bonita, and sometimes barracuda. The average sized kingfish we catch are around 12 pounds but we have caught them up to 50 pounds before!

We can usually target kingfish throughout end of March, April, and beginning of May and on any length trip, even our 4 hour halfdays. Last year was a little slower on the kingfish bite but we still managed to get some decent fish in 2025 for our anglers, as well as place 4th in last spring’s Old Salt Fishing King of the Beach tournament with a 37.77 pound king!

Kingfish are a good eating fish and we fillet them for our customers after every trip. Many of our charters will take their mackerels to Crabby’s Dockside just steps from our slips to have them blackened or fried right then and there. We like to leave the skin on one side and put them in our smoker to make fish spread! Some people shy away from mackerel because it can be oily, but when prepared properly or right away the meat is light and mild and high in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Wanna target kingfish with Reel Deal this spring? Call or text Reel Deal Outpost at 727-906-7749 or book right online www.reeldealsportfishing.com/book-charter