4 of a kind,a pair,a kicker and a question

Saltwater King Mackerel
1

went trolling for kings today. started late and pulled baits from 10a till 2p in the shipping channel. fished by myself due to no show. caught 4 kings smallest in small teens biggest over 30lb. 2 spanish both around 18 inches. 1 cobia that was too close to keep. not too bad for 4 hrs. the question is how do you tell the difference between a very large[28-30inch] spanish and a juvenile king. i caught 2 of these today and i know that juvi kings can have the yellow spots and can look like a spanish…so how do you tell? these 2 were not included in my total cause i dont know what they were. all fish were released

folly basser

2

Hallalujah! Finally a King Mackerel report, and a good one. This forum has been dead too long, way to catch 'em Folly Basser, what part of the channel if you don’t mind? Deep or top, skirt or plain? The answer to your question is King Mackerel have a broken line on their side, while Spanish Mackerel have a solid line on their side. My boat is in repair 2-3 weeks, if you need a partner next week, I’m available for another channel trip maybe. Tight lines!Keep up the reports, even bad ones.

3

macdaddy around here king fishing is like bass fishing–people do it to win money so they don’t talk much. this coming weekend there is a tourney with a $30 entry and $1000 first place king and there are many other tourneys like that the rest of the summer. i’m afraid i cant divulge any more info about my pattern online but if you can stoop to fishing out of my beat up bay boat e mail me and we’ll talk about fishing the tourney

folly basser

4

The Spanish will have a black front dorsal fin while the King’s has no color. (a very nice DNR officer explained this to while smiling and writing a ticket)

5

The spanish’s lateral line has a gradual downward slope…and a kings is a sharp slant \

6

Hey how far past the rocks did you go. if the weather is good i want to go for a try soon just dont want to have to run to far. what for baits?? thinking about trying to jig up some bigger baits at the cans??? Thanks

Wellcraft V20, 175 Yamaha

7
quote:
The Spanish will have a black front dorsal fin while the King's has no color. (a very nice DNR officer explained this to while smiling and writing a ticket)
This is the easiest way to tell. Pull up the dorsal and look for black on the front.

black=spanish
no black=juvie king

8

The lateral line is by far the quickest way to tell. If the lateral line dips sharply, it’s a king. If relatively straight, it’s a Spanish.

‘Eren’s Addiction Too’

9

I guess it would be hard for someone to post a picture of this due to how they discolor after caught

Sea Pro 210cc
Yamaha 200 4 Stroke
Dodge 1500 4x4 HEMI

10

Just ask Capt. Eddie!!! :slight_smile:

Seriously, second on the lateral line

11

Folly basser,

The laterial line is the way to go. Sharp dip / slant it is a King

Pursuitgang

2486 Triton twin Suzuki 140s (Reeltime)
1720 Keywest 90 Johhson

12

The “king” in the pic appears to have a black spot on its dorsal…I’m just saying…

If the lateral line is the easiest, wonder why the DNR checks for the black spot??

Respectfully,
Blue Runner

13
quote:
Originally posted by Blue_Runner

The “king” in the pic appears to have a black spot on its dorsal…I’m just saying…

If the lateral line is the easiest, wonder why the DNR checks for the black spot??

Respectfully,
Blue Runner

The lateral line is the easiest way to go, even the dnr guy speaking at the captains meeting during the Tailwalker Tourney said so.

Color of a fin can be a bit subjective, especially after they have been on ice.