False AlbacoreorKing Mackerel

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of a False Albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus), side view, on a white background — **False Albacore***Euthynnus alletteratus*

Studio photograph of a King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla), side view, on a white background — **King Mackerel***Scomberomorus cavalla*

Rules for both fish from 13 state rulebooks, checked Sep 18, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

False Albacore

Wavy, worm-like markings above the lateral line only; spotless silver below; football body.

False albacore, next to king mackerel: stockier, worm-track markings, no dipping lateral line.

King Mackerel

Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots.

King mackerel, next to false albacore: slimmer, dipping lateral line.

Side by side

	False Albacore	King Mackerel
Scientific name	Euthynnus alletteratus	Scomberomorus cavalla
Also called	Albie, Little tunny, Fat Albert	King, Kingfish, Smoker
Waters	Offshore	Nearshore
Heaviest state record	32 lb · North Carolina (2015)	90 lb · Florida (1976)
On the table	Poor — dark, strong-flavored; almost always released.	Good smoked; big kings carry elevated mercury.
Rules of its own in	1 states	12 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 13 of 13 states with a rule for either. In Alabama, king mackerel is 24 in fork length minimum, 3 per person while false albacore has no rule of its own there. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.

State	False Albacore: size · bag · season	King Mackerel: size · bag · season
Alabama	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	24 in fork length minimum3 per personOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Florida (Atlantic)	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	24 in fork length min2 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Florida (Gulf)	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	24 in fork length min3 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Georgia	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	24 in fork length3 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Louisiana	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	24 in fork length3 per personOpen year-roundOpenLDWF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
Massachusetts	16" min (curved fork length)5 fish combined with Atlantic bonitoOpen year-roundOpenMA DMF 2026 · checked 2026-09-07	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.
Mississippi	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	24 in fork length minimum3 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
New Jersey	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	23 in min3Open year-roundOpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked 2026-09-07
New York	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	23"3Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
North Carolina	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	24" FL min3 per person per dayYear-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
South Carolina	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	24 in fork length3/dayOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Texas	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	27 in total length3Open year-roundOpenTPWD 2026 · checked 2026-09-18
Virginia	Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.	27 in min3 per personOpen year-roundOpenVMRC 2026 · checked 2026-09-18

Questions anglers ask

How do you tell false albacore from king mackerel?

False Albacore: Wavy, worm-like markings above the lateral line only; spotless silver below; football body. King Mackerel: Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots. King mackerel, next to false albacore: slimmer, dipping lateral line. False albacore, next to king mackerel: stockier, worm-track markings, no dipping lateral line.

Which gets bigger, false albacore or king mackerel?

King Mackerel. The heaviest state record we hold is 90 lb in Florida; the heaviest false albacore record is 32 lb in North Carolina.

Which is better to eat, false albacore or king mackerel?

False Albacore: Poor — dark, strong-flavored; almost always released. King Mackerel: Good smoked; big kings carry elevated mercury.

Do false albacore and king mackerel have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 13 state rulebooks. Alabama: false albacore no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length minimum, 3 per person; Florida (Atlantic): false albacore no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length min, 2 per person; Florida (Gulf): false albacore no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length min, 3 per person; Georgia: false albacore no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length, 3 per person per day; Louisiana: false albacore no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length, 3 per person; and more in the table on this page.