King Mackerel
Since the king mackerel stock in the Gulf of Mexico is not overfished, you have a high chance of catching one during your offshore fishing trips in Port Aransas TX. King Mackerel are a favorite for serious anglers that participate in fishing tournaments because of their huge size. But beginner anglers need Port Aransas offshore guides to help them because catching king mackerel can be tricky. Fortunately, you can find a Port Aransas fishing charter that offers experienced guides.
How Port Aransas Offshore Guides Identify King Mackerel
A king mackerel is a torpedo shaped fish with an iron-gray back and silvery sides and belly. The king mackerel and the Spanish mackerel are very similar in appearance which may confuse beginner anglers. Experienced Port Aransas deep sea fishing guides usually identify a king mackerel fish by its scale covered pectoral fins. The guide for your offshore fishing trips in Port Aransas TX may also mention that king mackerel have a longer head, a pointier nose, and more teeth compared to a Spanish mackerel. An easier difference to spot is that Spanish mackerel have three rows of elliptical yellow spots on their sides while king mackerel do not.
You can win a kingfish-tournament trophy by catching king mackerel that weigh 50 to 60 pounds, but there are some that reach 100 pounds in weight. However, the average weight for the species is between 5 to 10 pounds and they can grow to be several feet long. They spawn from May through October.
King Mackerel Habitats And Diet
To catch king mackerel, the Port Aransas fishing charter you hire will take you to outer reefs where the sea reaches depths of 75.5-111.5 feet. King mackerel occur in warmer deep sea waters in areas where they can feed on squid, anchovies, shrimp, squid, herring, blue runners, ribbonfish, and jacks. They prefer water temperatures that range from 66°F and 85°F.
How To Catch King Mackerel
When you go offshore fishing for king mackerel you can use either live or dead bait on a line gear and hook while trolling. Two hooks are more effective because it makes it possible for the fish to hook up when it bites from the tail section. Baits for this species include mullet, Spanish sardine, pogies, and thread herring. Appropriate tackle for this fish include a heavy-duty open sport fishing reel or spinning reel with a 30 pound and up line. You can use tadpole weights and downriggers to get your baits down deeper at different depths to catch king mackerel that move up and down the water column. Guides for your offshore fishing trips in Port Aransas TX can teach you other effective techniques for catching king mackerel.