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King Mackerel fishing in Pinellas County

3 rated shore spots in Pinellas County hold king mackerel — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.

King Mackerel forecast map for Pinellas County

Every spot colored by how it fishes for king mackerel right now. Scrub the timeline, tap a pin for its forecast, or go full screen.

When to go

In season now
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🌊 Fish the flood tide.

Size, bag and season rules in Pinellas County

Open: keep up to 3 a day of 24 in or more

Pinellas County

Rules set by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and FWC

Minimum size
24 inMeasured nose to the fork of the tail
Bag limit
3 a day

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · checked Sep 30, 2026

A summary of the rules these authorities publish for anglers, checked on the dates shown. It is not legal advice: the authority's own page is the rule, and rules can change.

Check FWC rules

Best king mackerel spots in Pinellas County

1Skyway Fishing Pier (North)Good · 72ReliableKings pass in spring and fall; free-line or balloon a live blue runner or threadfin off the end on a wire stinger rig and keep a bridge gaff or net ready.2Fort De Soto Gulf PierGood · 69Worth a tryOccasional in spring and fall off the end on a live bait and wire.3Pier 60Good · 75Worth a tryOccasional in spring and fall off the T; a live bait on a wire stinger rig when bait schools are thick.
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Tactics for king mackerel

Top baits, best first

  1. Menhaden (Pogy)
  2. Threadfin Herring
  3. Pilchards (Scaled Sardines)
  4. Sabiki Rig

Rigs that work, best first

  1. King Mackerel Stinger Rig
  2. Trolley Rig
  3. Freeline Live Bait

King Mackerel fishing elsewhere

Broward County