King Mackerel Lures - Trolling Rigs That Catch Kings

King Mackerel Lures - Trolling Rigs That Catch Kings

Spoons, skirted lures, and rigged baits built for slow-trolling and high-speed king mackerel fishing. Tournament-tested, angler-approved.

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Rig Up for King Season

Spoons, skirted lures, and rigged baits that kings cannot refuse. Fishermen-Owned Tackle Shop.

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How to Catch More King Mackerel on Lures

King mackerel are some of the most exciting fish on the Southeast coast. They hit hard, run fast, and fight dirty - cutting through leader and stealing lures if you are not rigged properly. The right king mackerel lure presentation depends on whether you are slow-trolling live bait, high-speed trolling artificials, or working the pier and nearshore structure.

For high-speed trolling, king spoons are the classic producer. A #2 or #3 drone spoon trolled at 5-7 knots behind a planer catches kings consistently from the Outer Banks to the Keys. The flash and wobble mimics a wounded baitfish - exactly what triggers a king's ambush instinct. Add a stinger hook rig to convert the short-strikers that bite the tail end of the spoon.

Skirted trolling lures in the 4-6 inch range also produce well for kings, especially when trolled faster (7-9 knots). Chartreuse, green/yellow, and silver/blue patterns match the cigar minnows and threadfin herring that kings feed on. Run them behind a trolling spread with your offshore lures and you will pick up kings on the way out to the deep water.

Wire leader is mandatory for king mackerel. Their teeth will cut 60 lb fluoro in a heartbeat. Use #4-#7 single-strand wire or light cable with a long-shank hook or stinger rig. Keep your wire leaders short (12-18 inches) to minimize visibility. For tournament fishing, many anglers run fluorocarbon with a short wire bite section - less visible but still protected from the teeth.

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Built for the Southeast King Run

From the fall run off the Outer Banks to the winter bite in South Florida, king mackerel are a year-round target on the Southeast coast. Our king lures are selected for the presentations and colors that produce in these waters. Pair them with wire leader rigs and stinger hooks for maximum conversion on these toothy, fast-striking fish.

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What King Mackerel Anglers Are Saying

★★★★★

"Trolled a #2 drone spoon behind a planer off Wrightsville Beach and boated 6 kings in one morning. The spoon flashes and wobbles perfectly at 6 knots. Best king lure I have used in 10 years of fishing."

Captain Scott

Wrightsville Beach, NC

★★★★★

"Picked up a pack of the stinger rig king lures for tournament season. Caught a 42 lb smoker on the first trip out. The wire leader held up perfectly and the hook placement was right in the corner of the jaw."

Derek J.

Cocoa Beach, FL

★★★★★

"Great service and quality lures. The chartreuse skirted lure has been money for kings on the nearshore wrecks. Run it on the flat line at 7 knots and it gets hit almost every trip."

Paul B.

Myrtle Beach, SC

King Mackerel Lure FAQs

What is the best lure for king mackerel?

Drone spoons (#2 and #3 sizes) are the most consistent king mackerel lure for high-speed trolling. Trolled at 5-7 knots behind a planer, they produce kings year-round. Skirted lures in the 4-6 inch range and rigged cigar minnows are also top producers. Carry all three options and adjust based on what the fish want that day.

Do I need wire leader for king mackerel?

Yes. King mackerel have razor-sharp teeth that will cut through mono and fluorocarbon instantly. Use #4-#7 single-strand wire or light cable leader. Keep the wire section short (12-18 inches) to minimize visibility. For tournament fishing, some anglers use heavy fluorocarbon with a short wire bite leader as a compromise between stealth and bite protection.

What trolling speed for king mackerel?

For drone spoons and live bait, 5-7 knots is ideal. For skirted lures, 7-9 knots works well. Kings are fast fish that will chase lures at speed, but the key is matching your trolling speed to the lure's optimal action. A spoon that wobbles perfectly at 6 knots will spin and blow out at 9 knots.

What is a stinger hook rig?

A stinger rig adds a second trailing hook behind the main hook on a spoon or lure. Kings often strike the tail end of a bait or lure - the stinger hook catches these short-strikers. Most stinger rigs use a treble hook on a short wire or heavy fluoro leader connected to the main hook bend. Essential for tournament king fishing where every hookup counts.

What is the best time of year for king mackerel?

Kings are available year-round on the Southeast coast, but peak seasons depend on location. Fall (September-November) is prime from the Carolinas to Virginia as kings migrate south. Winter (December-March) is peak in South Florida. Spring (April-June) is strong from the Gulf coast through the Carolinas as fish push north. Fish nearshore structure, wrecks, and temperature breaks.

Should I use planers for king mackerel?

Planers are excellent for king mackerel trolling. They pull your lure below the surface where kings patrol and release on the strike so you fight the fish directly. A #1 planer with 50-80 feet of line works well for nearshore king trolling. Run your spoon or skirted lure 15-20 feet behind the planer on wire leader.

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Spoons, lures, and king rigs. Packed by a real tackle shop.

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