King mackerelin Florida (Gulf)
Scomberomorus cavalla
Also called King, Kingfish, Smoker.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for king mackerel in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Gulf rule includes Monroe County.
Measured as fork length (FL): snout to the fork of the tail.
FWC 2026· checked Open
Beyond 9 miles: federal waters
A different rule past the 9-mile line, written by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. Where the two differ, the water you are in decides.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Often mistaken for, and their Florida (Gulf) rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| King mackerelThis page. | 24 in fork length min | 3 per person | Open year-round |
| Spanish mackerelLateral line slopes gently, keeps its spots.Tell them apart | 12 in fork length min | 15 per person | Open year-round |
| False albacoreStockier, worm-track markings, no dipping lateral line.Tell them apart | Not listed by Florida (Gulf): the default applies (No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is greater) | ||
Florida (Gulf) state record
90 lb, Key West, 1976. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots. More on the king mackerel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
King mackerel in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a king mackerel in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appKing mackerel in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for king mackerel in Florida (Gulf)?
24 in fork length min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many king mackerel can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
3 per person.
When is king mackerel season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
What is the Florida (Gulf) record king mackerel?
90 lb, Key West (1976).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) king mackerel rule?
Source: FWC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.