King mackerel fishing out of St. Augustine follows two patterns: pogy schools along the beaches in about 20 ft, and reefs, ledges and wrecks offshore. Both start at St. Augustine Inlet. Which one you fish depends on the season, the bait and how far you want to run.
This is a planning brief for running your own boat. It covers when kings are here, how far boats go, what structure holds them, how locals fish them and who fishes them. The depth tiers are beach, about 20 ft; nearshore reefs, 56 to 80 ft; and deeper reefs, 97 to 104 ft. For the species picture, see our king mackerel guide.
Seasons for king mackerel fishing out of St. Augustine
Long Line Charters calls kings "one of the most targeted offshore game fish during the long Summer months." Sly-Fox’s season lists also show them in fall, winter and spring.
The summer peak follows the bait. Kings trail menhaden (pogies) along the beaches, and where the pogies run, the kingfish run. For how this local pattern fits into the wider southeast run (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide), see the regional guide. If you are picking dates, summer is the documented focus, though kings are listed in the other three seasons too.
Where boats run for kings
Boats fish the beach and the offshore structure. Inlet, ramp and marina detail is in our St. Augustine port guide. Before you run the inlet, read the NOAA Coast Pilot inlet chapter.
Beach pogy schools
In summer, kings follow menhaden (pogies) into shallow water along the beaches, in about 20 ft. Long Line Charters summer trips describe the same pattern. It is a close-in fishery that needs no offshore run.
Offshore reefs and wrecks
Kings also hold on the reefs, ledges and shipwrecks offshore. Nine Mile Reef is about 9 miles off, per Long Line. Moody Reef sits 26 miles east of St. Augustine. Rodbender runs nearshore trips in 60 to 80 ft, the middle band.
The tiers at a glance:
- Beach: about 20 ft
- Nearshore reefs: 56 to 80 ft
- Deeper reefs: 97 to 104 ft
NDBC station 41012 is the nearest NOAA station. Check its station page to see whether it is reporting, and use the official NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period.
Reefs and structure that hold kings
The listed grounds run from near to far. Depths are listed figures.
| Reef or site | Structure | Depth (ft) | Position or distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nine Mile Reef | tug Leon Roddy | 63 | About 9 miles off St. Augustine |
| North Nine Mile Reef sites 1 to 7 | concrete culverts, dumpsters, rubble | 56 to 80 by site | Near 29 54 N, 81 07 W |
| Nine Mile North Reef | concrete culverts | 56 | 29 54 47 N, 81 07 01 W |
| Andy King Reef | Bridge of Lions permit area | 60 | 29 52.591 N, 81 09.207 W |
| Capo Reef North | artificial reef | 97 | 29 51 4 N, 80 46 2 W |
| Capo Reef South | artificial reef | 97 | 29 50 59 N, 80 46 1 W |
| Moody Reef | artificial reef | 100 | 26 miles east of St. Augustine |
| Intruder Reef 1 and 2 | A-6 aircraft frames | 104 | Reef 1 at 29 54 20 N, 80 48 10 W |
Andy King Reef is built from Bridge of Lions material. The county Andy King reef report covers it.
Coordinates are listed as published, so the structure may not sit exactly on the mark. Load them and confirm the structure on the sounder. Chart layers and these positions are not for navigation.
How kings are fished out of St. Augustine
Locals troll and work live pogies, matched to the tier they are fishing.
Live pogies
Live-bait work with pogies suits the beach schools and the nearshore reefs. You fish where the bait is.
Trolling
Trolling is a listed local method. Boats use it to cover ground between structure.
Light tackle in summer
Long Line Charters lists light tackle in summer, when kings are close to shore. Rodbender runs 6-hour nearshore trips in 60 to 80 ft for kings, cobia and snapper. For cobia, snapper and other gamefish from this coast, see the gamefish guides.
Who fishes for kings out of St. Augustine
Local charters and a handful of tournaments account for most of the king fishing out of this port.
Charters
These local charters list king mackerel:
- Long Line Charters: Captain David Ledford
- Brian Walker Fishing Charters: Captain Brian Walker, U.S. Coast Guard licensed and insured
- For What It’s Worth Charters: Captain Chris Worth
- Rodbender Fishing Charter: Captain Anthony Menichino
- Sly-Fox: Captain Red Beard and crew, departing from the Conch House. See the Sly-Fox charter fishing page.
Tournaments
Three kingfish events fish out of this port:
- Old City Elite Kingfish Tournament: usually held in June.
- Old School Kingfish Shootout: fishes state waters within 3 nautical miles.
- Ancient City Kingfish Challenge: boats may depart from Fernandina, Mayport, St. Augustine.
FAQ: king mackerel off St. Augustine
When is king mackerel season off St. Augustine?
King mackerel fishing out of St. Augustine centers on summer, per Long Line Charters. Sly-Fox also lists kings in fall, winter and spring.
How far do boats run for kings out of St. Augustine?
The beach pattern is close in, in about 20 ft. Nine Mile Reef is about 9 miles off, per Long Line. Moody Reef is 26 miles east of St. Augustine.
What depth do kings hold in along the beaches?
Kings hold in about 20 ft in summer, following pogy schools along the beaches.
Which reefs hold kings off St. Augustine?
The listed grounds are Nine Mile, North Nine Mile, Nine Mile North, Andy King, Capo North and South, Moody and Intruder, in 56 to 104 ft. Verify the structure on the sounder.
Which tournament fishes state waters only?
The Old School Kingfish Shootout fishes state waters within 3 nautical miles.
Where are the rules for kings caught off St. Augustine?
Florida rules govern state waters inside 3 nautical miles, and federal rules apply beyond. Check the Florida saltwater regulations page and the federal mackerel and cobia rules page before fishing.
