Great BarracudaorKing Mackerel
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Great Barracuda
Underslung jaw of visible teeth, scattered ink-black blotches on silver.
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 great barracuda: no blotches, dipping lateral line.
Side by side
| Great Barracuda | King Mackerel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Sphyraena barracuda | Scomberomorus cavalla |
| Also called | — | King, Kingfish, Smoker |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | 67 lb 7 oz · North Carolina (1985) | 90 lb · Florida (1976) |
| On the table | Small ones are eaten, but barracuda is a leading ciguatera carrier — most release them. | Good smoked; big kings carry elevated mercury. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 states | 12 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 12 of 12 states with a rule for either. In Florida (Atlantic), great barracuda is 15-36 in FL slot in Collier-Martin counties; no size limit elsewhere, 2 per person; 6 per vessel (regulated counties) and king mackerel is 24 in fork length min, 2 per person. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Great Barracuda: 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 |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 15-36 in FL slot in Collier-Martin counties; no size limit elsewhere2 per person; 6 per vessel (regulated counties)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 24 in fork length min2 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | 15-36 in FL slot in Collier-Martin counties; no size limit elsewhere2 per person; 6 per vessel (regulated counties)Open year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 24 in fork length min3 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| 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 |
| Louisiana | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 24 in fork length3 per personOpen year-roundOpenLDWF 2026 · checked |
| 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 |
| New Jersey | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 23 in min3Open year-roundOpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 23"3Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 24" FL min3 per person per dayYear-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked |
| South Carolina | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 24 in fork length3/dayOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked |
| Texas | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 27 in total length3Open year-roundOpenTPWD 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 27 in min3 per personOpen year-roundOpenVMRC 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, great barracuda or king mackerel, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell great barracuda from king mackerel?
Great Barracuda: Underslung jaw of visible teeth, scattered ink-black blotches on silver. 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 great barracuda: no blotches, dipping lateral line.
Which gets bigger, great barracuda or king mackerel?
King Mackerel. The heaviest state record we hold is 90 lb in Florida; the heaviest great barracuda record is 67 lb 7 oz in North Carolina.
Which is better to eat, great barracuda or king mackerel?
Great Barracuda: Small ones are eaten, but barracuda is a leading ciguatera carrier — most release them. King Mackerel: Good smoked; big kings carry elevated mercury.
Do great barracuda and king mackerel have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 12 state rulebooks. Florida (Atlantic): great barracuda 15-36 in FL slot in Collier-Martin counties; no size limit elsewhere, 2 per person; 6 per vessel (regulated counties), king mackerel 24 in fork length min, 2 per person; Florida (Gulf): great barracuda 15-36 in FL slot in Collier-Martin counties; no size limit elsewhere, 2 per person; 6 per vessel (regulated counties), king mackerel 24 in fork length min, 3 per person; Alabama: great barracuda no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length minimum, 3 per person; Georgia: great barracuda no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length, 3 per person per day; Louisiana: great barracuda no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length, 3 per person; and more in the table on this page.