Fall fishing season is one of the most fruitful in the Brunswick Islands. Without a doubt, one of the season’s most prized catches is the king mackerel. This long and slender species is one of the most exciting fish to catch due to their elusiveness and strength, which makes them a fun fight for any angler. That’s why we’ve compiled all there is to know about fishing for king mackerel off our stretch of the Carolina coast.
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How to Identify a King Mackerel
Some of the defining features of the king mackerel, or kingfish as many refer to them as, is a shiny silver side with a greenish-blue back and a large, forked tail.
- King mackerel also have two dorsal fins and are known to have some pretty sharp teeth.
- Larger king mackerel are measured in the seventy-inch range, but most that are caught typically measure thirty to forty-five inches.
- Any king mackerel weighing more than thirty pounds or measuring more than fifty-four inches in length is considered citation sized.
Don’t confuse king mackerel with Spanish mackerel, which are very similar in appearance but can be differentiated by looking for the dark yellow spots that cover the Spanish and not the king.
When to Catch a King
So when, where, and how should anglers be targeting this popular gamefish?
King mackerel are a pelagic species, meaning they roam the waters from the Gulf Stream all the way to the shores of East coast beaches. Starting in September, the Brunswick Island’s coastline finds itself right in the middle of the mullet migration while a vast number of Atlantic menhaden (known locally as “pogies”) begin moving closer to shore. This provides the perfect scenario to draw king mackerel closer to the coast as they follow their food source.
Once they arrive, they tend to congregate along bottom structures including area reefs and patches of live bottom where abundant seaweed, live coral and sponges are located. The prominent northerly winds in the fall season make for calm seas which is a delight to those wishing to target this species further offshore.
There are a plethora of ways to catch a kingfish, but slow trolling is commonly agreed upon as the tried-and-true technique. Slow trolling with live baits along the previously mentioned structures has resulted in many anglers catching tournament-winning king mackerel.
King Mackerel Fishing Competitions in the Brunswick Islands
Speaking of tournaments, who doesn’t like a little competition? The Brunswick Islands host a variety of fall king mackerel tournaments that test your angler skills as you try to catch the most impressive fish with a chance to win an equally impressive prize.
U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament - October
Part of division two of the Southern Kingfish Association Tournament Trail, the area hosts one of the most notorious king mackerel tournaments of the season - the U.S. Open.
Forty-seven years ago the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament was created to showcase the amazing fall fishing that the Southport and Oak Island area has to offer. Today, it is one of the largest and most anticipated kingfish tournaments on the East coast. Drawing in over five hundred boats, this tournament is a unique and great way for locals and guests alike to mingle, fish, and share memories of the tournament’s past. The environment is like no other as hundreds of eager fans crowd the scales awaiting the boat that has caught the behemoth kingfish that are often told in stories.
- The tournament follows a two-day format, meaning there are two days that each boat is eligible to fish (October 2nd through the 3rd in 2026).
- A welcome party for all involved kicks off the day before (October 1st in 2026) where everyone has a chance to eat some local favorites, make a toast with libations, and enjoy some live music.
- After the party, the captain’s meeting where the rules and regulations of the tournament are explained takes place.
Though the entry fee per boat is $350, many claim that it is a small price to pay for the memories made, friendships gained, and the chance at winning the $25,000 grand prize (with over $100,000 in total cash prizes up for grabs). In fact, the winner of the 2025 tournament received over $46,000 in total winnings. Up to the challenge?
Fall Brawl King Classic – October/November
Another highly anticipated king mackerel tournament hosted in the Brunswick Islands is the Fall Brawl King Classic, which is headquartered in Ocean Isle Beach and takes place toward the end of October.
- In 2026, the event will be held October 30 through November 1
- The entry fee is $400.
- The competition’s grand prize is $30,000.
However, unlike the U.S. Open tournament, results are not cumulative. After registering, participants are given just one day to hook a tournament eligible king mackerel. Beyond the first place prize, there is an abundance of cash prizes ripe for the taking.
Bonus Advice: How to Cook King Mackerel
After you’ve caught a king mackerel, it is time to bring it home for dinner! Locals insist that king mackerel is best cooked either grilled or smoked. If grilling, season your mackerel filets with salt and pepper, brush your grill with cooking oil, cook on both sides for approximately three minutes, and then take them off and let them rest.
Once done resting, brush each filet with a combination of melted butter and crushed garlic followed by a squeeze of lime. Serve with cilantro-rice for an outstanding mackerel meal!
If smoking the mackerel, place mackerel steaks in a bag with a brine consisting of water, iodized salt, and brown sugar and put it in the fridge for an hour. Take the steaks out and let them rest for thirty minutes before smoking.
After smoking low and slow for about three hours, either eat the steaks as they are or crumble the meat in a mixture of cream cheese, pepper, and lemon juice for a mouth-watering smoked mackerel dip!
Start Planning Your Fishing Trip
Get in on all the thrilling action of king mackerel fishing in NC’s Brunswick Islands this fall! For more information about area fishing in the Brunswick Islands including local tournaments, charters, and fishing piers, visit our website.
When it comes time to plan the rest of your trip, request a free North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands Vacation Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the best time to catch king mackerel in North Carolina?
Fall is the best time to catch king mackerel in North Carolina, particularly in the months of September and October, thanks to slightly cooler water temperatures and bait fish migrations off of the coast.
2. How far offshore do you have to go for king mackerel?
In early fall, you don’t have to go far to catch king mackerel off the coast of NC’s Brunswick Islands. Nearshore spots (1-5 miles off the beach) with artificial reefs and structures are popular spots to catch kings. As water temperatures continue to cool and bait fish move further offshore (10-15 miles), the king mackerel will follow.
3. What's the best rig for king mackerel?
Slow trolling with live bait is the preferred and most effective way to catch king mackerel.
4. Where can I catch or buy live bait in the area?
Live bait is available at many of the seafood markets located throughout the region. Visit our Sea to Fork blog for an interactive map of seafood markets.
5. Is king mackerel fishing good for beginners?
King mackerel fishing can be good for beginner fishermen. Head out with an experienced fishing charter captain or guide to make the most of local expertise. Many charters will also supply equipment like reels and rods, that make your fishing trip even easier.