King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla
Also called King, Kingfish, Smoker.
How to tell it
Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots.
- Not a spanish mackerel? That one lateral line slopes gently, keeps its spots. (Spanish Mackerel)
- Not a false albacore? That one stockier, worm-track markings, no dipping lateral line. (False Albacore)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 24 in fork length minimum | 3 per person | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 24 in fork length min | 2 per person | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 24 in fork length min | 3 per person | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Georgia | 24 in fork length | 3 per person per day | Open year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | 24 in fork length | 3 per person | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 24 in fork length minimum | 3 per person per day | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 23 in min | 3 | Open year-roundNJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 23" | 3 | Open year-roundNY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 24" FL min | 3 per person per day | Year-roundNC DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 24 in fork length | 3/day | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Texas | 27 in total length | 3 | Open year-roundTPWD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | 27 in min | 3 per person | Open year-roundVMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 69 lb 15.84 oz | 2014 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Connecticut | 7 lb 2 oz | 2018 · Saybrook | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 · Exotic Marine Species Category (Harvested) |
| Delaware | 52 lb 11.2 oz | 2023 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 90 lb | 1976 · Key West | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 75 lb 12 oz | 2004 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 · GA keeps men's/women's records; heavier taken as overall |
| Louisiana | 82 lb | 1980 | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 47 lb | 1985 · Great Gull Shoals - "Big Gull" | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 · MD Atlantic division record |
| Massachusetts | 9 lb 14 oz | 2018 · Hedge Fence | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| Mississippi | 74 lb 1.6 oz | 2009 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 67 lb 7.2 oz | 2023 · Manasquan Inlet | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 82 lb 4 oz | 1999 · Off Ocracoke | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| Rhode Island | 12 lb 3 oz | 2000 · Point Judith | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| South Carolina | 62 lb | 1976 · Charleston | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 79 lb | 2006 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 63 lb 1 oz | 2007 · Off Sandbridge | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Good smoked; big kings carry elevated mercury.
In the app
Point the camera at a king mackerel and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about king mackerel
What is the size limit for king mackerel?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 24 in fork length minimum; Florida (Atlantic): 24 in fork length min; Florida (Gulf): 24 in fork length min; Georgia: 24 in fork length; Louisiana: 24 in fork length; Mississippi: 24 in fork length minimum; New Jersey: 23 in min; New York: 23"; and more in the table above.
How many king mackerel can you keep?
Alabama: 3 per person; Florida (Atlantic): 2 per person; Florida (Gulf): 3 per person; Georgia: 3 per person per day; Louisiana: 3 per person; Mississippi: 3 per person per day; New Jersey: 3; New York: 3; and more in the table above.
How do you tell king mackerel from spanish mackerel?
King Mackerel has this: Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots.. Spanish Mackerel lateral line slopes gently, keeps its spots.
What is the record king mackerel?
90 lb in Florida (1976), Key West. Other states’ records are in the table.