Summer King Fishin’
🎣 Live Bait Trolling for King Mackerel in St. Augustine, FL
When it comes to adrenaline-pumping offshore fishing in Northeast Florida, live bait trolling for King Mackerel (or “Kingfish,” as locals call them) tops the list. Out of St. Augustine, it’s not just a tactic — it’s a tradition.
Whether you're chasing your first smoker king or a tournament-class 40-pounder, trolling live bait along the reefs, wrecks, and nearshore ledges can deliver non-stop action.
🐟 Why King Mackerel?
Kingfish are the apex predators of our coastal waters — sleek, fast, and always ready to strike. From early summer through fall, the waters off St. Augustine to Jacksonville come alive with migrating schools of kings. These fish are aggressive, acrobatic, and known for blistering runs that test both tackle and reflexes.
🛥️ Trolling Setup: Keep It Simple, Keep It Fresh
The go-to strategy for targeting kings here is slow-trolling live bait just offshore. Here’s how the locals do it:
🎯 Bait of Choice:
Live Menhaden (Pogies) – The king of kingfish bait.
Blue Runners, Cigar Minnows, or even Mullet also work.
Pogies are often netted right in the St. Augustine Inlet or just off the beach at sunrise.
🧰 Tackle & Rig:
Light spinning or conventional gear (15–25 lb class)
Stinger rigs made with #4–#6 wire and two treble hooks
Slow troll at 1.5 to 3 knots, using a downrigger, planer, or freeline
🎣 Where to Fish:
9-Mile Reef
Comanche Reef
Elton Bottom
Local wrecks and bait pods just off the beach
Look for surface activity like flipping pogies or diving birds — kingfish are rarely far behind.
🏆 Hot Season, Hot Action
Peak months for king mackerel in this region are May through September, with the bite strongest in summer when water temps hit the mid- to upper 70s.
During tournament season (like the King Buster or SKA events), teams target big fish nearshore and even right off the beach, especially when bait is thick and the tide is right.
🍽️ What About Table Fare?
While kingfish aren’t considered the finest eating of offshore species, they’re fantastic when fresh, smoked, or grilled. If you bleed and ice them quickly, they can be great for:
Fish tacos
Smoked fish dip
Ceviche
Grilled fillets with lemon and butter
🧭 Tips from the Dock
Start early – Pogies are easiest to find right after sunrise.
Use a baitwell – Kings love lively baits; keep them fresh and frisky.
Vary your depths – A mix of surface baits, planers, and downriggers can help you dial in the bite.
Look for clean water – Kings like clarity and moving water. Green, weedy, or stagnant water tends to push them out.
🎣 Book a Trip or Launch Your Own
Plenty of experienced charter captains run live bait trolling trips out of Camachee Cove, Vilano, and the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. Whether you’re an experienced angler or first-timer, you can expect big runs, screaming drags, and a cooler full of memories.
Final Word
Live bait trolling for king mackerel out of St. Augustine is a staple of Northeast Florida fishing — equal parts tradition, excitement, and strategy. It’s the kind of trip that hooks first-timers and keeps locals coming back for more. So next time the bait pods are thick and the tide is right, slow-troll a live pogy and hang on — the kings are biting.