King mackerel fishing out of Islamorada runs from late fall through early spring, on structure that ranges from 6 ft reefs to a 200 ft seamount about 15 miles out. Locals call the fish kingfish, and they fish for it from the reef line out to the Hump.
This page covers when kings are around, how far the run is, which named reefs, wrecks and the Hump to put on the plotter, and who fishes them from this port. If you are new to Islamorada, the grounds below run from inshore to offshore, so you can pick the tier that fits your boat and your day.
When king mackerel are around Islamorada
Kings are fished here in a defined window, and a second species affects how you plan it. The window tells you when to look. It does not predict the bite on any given day, which depends on water and bait.
Late fall through early spring
Kings are fished out of Islamorada from late fall through early spring. Put kingfish on your list for that stretch, then let the day’s water and bait decide where you set up.
For the wider run up and down the coast, see Atlantic Southeast king mackerel (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide).
The sailfish overlap
Kings and sailfish are both in play in fall and early winter, so you can plan a mixed day instead of choosing one. For the sailfish side, start with the offshore gamefish guides.
| Window | Species in play |
|---|---|
| Late fall through early spring | King mackerel |
| Fall and early winter | King mackerel and sailfish |
Where boats run and the structure that holds kings
The structure runs in tiers: 6 ft reefs, an 18 ft galleon site, named reefs and wrecks, and the 200 ft Hump about 15 miles out. Each is worth checking, and none is a guarantee.
| Ground | Type | Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks | Shallow reefs | 6 |
| San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve | Spanish galleon | 18 |
| Alligator Reef | Reef | |
| Molasses Reef | Reef | |
| Eagle Wreck | Wreck | |
| Bibb Wreck | Wreck | |
| Duane Wreck | Wreck | |
| Islamorada Hump | Seamount | 200 |
Read conditions as numbers: wind, wave height and period. Pull them from the Key West Coastal Waters Forecast for Hawk Channel and the Straits of Florida, and check again before you leave the dock. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Shallow reefs: Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks
These reefs, at 6 ft, are the inshore option and a different job from the deep offshore run. Treat them as shallow structure to check.
San Pedro Preserve
The San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve is a Spanish galleon site in 18 ft. It is shallow named structure and a useful waypoint to know.
Alligator and Molasses Reefs
Alligator Reef and Molasses Reef are named reefs near Islamorada, and both are worth checking for kingfish.
Eagle, Bibb and Duane wrecks
Eagle Wreck, Bibb Wreck and Duane Wreck are wreck structure near Islamorada. Wrecks stack bait, and bait is what you are looking for. Put all three on the plotter as places to check.
Islamorada Hump
The Hump is a seamount at 200 ft, about 15 miles offshore of Islamorada, and it marks the far end of the run. A seamount is a rise in deep water that can concentrate current and bait, so its draw depends on both. It is a place to look, with no promise attached. Chart Contours shows the rise; work the edges where the contours bunch.
How kings are fished from this port
The main decision is structure. You choose between shallow reef, the wrecks and the 200 ft Hump, and you make that choice from the day’s current, bait and forecast numbers. A short run to 6 ft reef costs less time than the 15-mile run to the Hump, so match the ground to the water you have.
Rigging and wire are covered in the king mackerel guide.
Who fishes kings out of Islamorada
Go Time Sportfishing Charters lists king mackerel. Capt. Galon runs private charters on a 26 ft World Cat 266 SF out of Robbie’s Marina. A charter day is one way to see the grounds before you run your own boat.
FAQ about king mackerel fishing out of Islamorada
When is king season in Islamorada?
Kings are fished from late fall through early spring. In fall and early winter, kings and sailfish are both in play, so the seasons overlap. The bite on any given day still depends on the water and the bait.
How far is the Islamorada Hump?
The Hump is about 15 miles offshore of Islamorada. It is a seamount and the outer end of the run. Before you go, check the forecast numbers for wind, wave height and period, and plan the run from those as well as the distance.
How deep is the Islamorada Hump?
The Hump sits at 200 ft. It is a rise in deep water that can concentrate current and bait, which makes it a place to look for kings without guaranteeing fish. Chart Contours shows the rise, and the edges are where to start.
Can you catch kings and sailfish on the same trip?
In fall and early winter, both are around Islamorada, so a mixed day is possible. Treat it as a planning option. The water and bait on the day decide which species you find, so build the day around structure and forecast numbers.
Who runs king mackerel charters from Robbie’s Marina?
Go Time Sportfishing Charters lists king mackerel. Capt. Galon runs private charters on a 26 ft World Cat 266 SF out of Robbie’s Marina. It is one local operation fishing kings from this port, and a charter day can help you learn the grounds.
