When King Mackerel Are Off Haulover
King mackerel fishing out of Haulover is a short-run game off Bakers Haulover Inlet, and every boat in the local fleet covered below lists king mackerel, or kingfish, as a target. The port page covers the inlet, ramps, marinas and seasonal species. For migration context, see the regional picture along the southeast Atlantic coast (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
The Run and the Grounds Off Haulover
The grounds stack from inshore to offshore inside a 1 to 10 mile Atlantic run. Three named pieces of structure make up a working plan.
| Ground | Structure type | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Bal Harbour Mitigation Artificial Reef | Artificial reef | Not listed |
| Sunny Isles Reef Restoration modules | Restoration modules, eastern edge of the second reef | 60 ft |
| Sailfish Alley | Contour edge, locally named | 100 ft |
Turn on Chart Contours to trace the 60 ft and 100 ft lines before you leave the dock. Chart layers are not for navigation, and the contour layer shows where those lines sit, not where the fish are.
For wind, wave height and period, read the NWS Miami marine forecast AMZ651 and work from the numbers.
The 1 to 10 Mile Atlantic Run
Boats run 1 to 10 miles into the Atlantic, per the Old Hat FAQ. That is short enough to work several depth bands in one trip.
Bal Harbour Mitigation Artificial Reef
The Bal Harbour Mitigation Artificial Reef is a marked artificial reef off the inlet and works as a structure point.
Sunny Isles Reef Restoration Modules
The Sunny Isles Reef Restoration modules sit on the eastern edge of the second reef, at about 60 ft.
Sailfish Alley
Sailfish Alley is a locally named contour edge at 100 ft.
How Kings Are Fished on These Grounds
The grounds break down into three working targets: a marked point, a 60 ft edge and a 100 ft edge. For tackle and rigging, use the species guide. Mark the 100 ft line on Chart Contours and run parallel to it. The data helps you decide where to look, and it doesn’t promise fish.
Working the 60 ft Edge of the Second Reef
The eastern edge of the second reef, where the Sunny Isles modules sit at about 60 ft, is the first edge to work. Follow it as a line rather than fishing a single spot.
Working the 100 ft Sailfish Alley Contour
The 100 ft contour of Sailfish Alley is the deeper edge in the same run. The contour layer shows where the line sits and says nothing about what is on it.
Using the Bal Harbour Reef as a Marked Point
The Bal Harbour Mitigation Artificial Reef is a fixed structure point on the route between the inlet and the edges.
Who Fishes Kings out of Haulover
These boats out of Haulover list king mackerel as a target.
Old Hat Fishing Charters
A 43 ft custom sportfishing yacht, built 1979 and re-engined 2004, with a listed capacity of 6. The Old Hat FAQ is the source of the 1 to 10 mile run figure.
Sea Cross
Capt. Rafael Mayans, listed as Capt. Rafael.
Therapy IV
Capt. Stan, Capt. Mike and first mate Chris.
Lady Mitchell
Lady Mitchell is a Haulover boat that lists king mackerel.
FAQ: King Mackerel Fishing out of Haulover
How far do boats run from Haulover for kingfish?
Boats run 1 to 10 miles into the Atlantic, per the Old Hat FAQ. The 60 ft and 100 ft edges sit inside that range.
What depths and structure hold kings off Haulover?
The named structure is the Bal Harbour Mitigation Artificial Reef, the Sunny Isles Reef Restoration modules at about 60 ft on the second reef’s eastern edge, and Sailfish Alley at 100 ft. These are places to look, and none of them guarantees fish.
Which Haulover charters list king mackerel?
Old Hat Fishing Charters, Sea Cross, Therapy IV and Lady Mitchell. Details are in the section above.
Where do I check wind and sea numbers before running out of the inlet?
Read the NWS Miami marine forecast for zone AMZ651 for wind, wave height and period. The port page covers the inlet and ramps.
What else fishes the same grounds as the kings?
The same edges draw anglers working other offshore fish, and Sailfish Alley carries a local name for that reason. See the offshore gamefish guides.
