When king mackerel are off Carrabelle
King mackerel fishing out of Carrabelle centers on the spring and fall migrations, with named structure running from 5.5 nm to 28.9 nm off the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. The sources agree that kings pass through on migration but differ on which months they name. Our king mackerel species guide covers migration and biology in general.
Spring and fall migrations
Renegade describes kings off Carrabelle as moving through on the spring and fall migrations. Guidesly puts kings around May, alongside sailfish and dolphinfish.
April to June
Fishanywhere lists April and June on the Fishanywhere Carrabelle calendar. The three sources overlap in spring.
| Source | Timing it gives |
|---|---|
| Renegade | Spring and fall migrations |
| Guidesly | Around May, with sailfish and dolphinfish |
| Fishanywhere | April and June |
Where Carrabelle boats run for kings
Boats run open water and reef edges along the Carrabelle coast. For the wider picture of kings across the Gulf (see also the Gulf of Mexico region guide), see our regional guide.
Open water and reef edges
Local boats work the open water off the coast and the edges of the reefs. The named structure below gives fixed points to plan a run around.
Dog Island Reef
Dog Island Reef is listed as a king spot. It is the only site on this page described that way.
Distances from Red 10
Every distance and bearing on this page is measured from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. Named structure runs from 5.5 nm (Carrabelle 3 Mile) out to 28.9 nm (S Tower).
- Closest named site: Carrabelle 3 Mile, 5.5 nm
- Farthest named site: S Tower, 28.9 nm
- Reference point for all runs: the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy
These bearings and distances are planning references. Chart layers are not for navigation, so verify every waypoint against official charts.
Reefs and towers off Carrabelle
These are the named reefs and towers near Carrabelle, ordered by run distance from Red 10.
| Site | AARA ID | Depth (ft) | Distance (nm) | Bearing from Red 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrabelle 3 Mile | FR0018 | 39 | 5.5 | 107.2 |
| Robby’s Reef | FR0039 | 52 | 11.6 | 127.7 |
| Carrabelle Reef Culverts | FR0012 | 70 | 14.5 | 169.5 |
| O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge | FR0013 | 74 | 15.0 | 169.0 |
| Carrabelle/Rotary | FR0011 | 15.6 | 176.7 | |
| K Tower | FR0007 | 60 | 17.2 | 113.8 |
| S Tower | FR0005 | 105 | 28.9 | 173.3 |
| CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef (Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System) | 50 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Inside 12 nm
Carrabelle 3 Mile (FR0018) is one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites. This one sits in 39 ft, 5.5 nm out at bearing 107.2. Robby’s Reef (FR0039), a 2016 addition, sits in 52 ft, 11.6 nm out at bearing 127.7. CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef, part of the Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System, sits in 50 ft.
The 14-17 nm group
The Culverts (FR0012) sit in 70 ft, 14.5 nm out at bearing 169.5. The O-Tower Barge (FR0013) sits in 74 ft, 15.0 nm out at bearing 169.0. The two lie 0.5 nm apart on nearly the same bearing, so one run south covers both.
Carrabelle/Rotary (FR0011) is 15.6 nm out at bearing 176.7, on the same southerly heading. K Tower (FR0007) sits in 60 ft, 17.2 nm out at bearing 113.8, running east-southeast off the southerly line.
S Tower
S Tower (FR0005) sits in 105 ft, 28.9 nm out at bearing 173.3. It is the deepest and farthest named site, on the same southerly heading as the Culverts, the barge and Carrabelle/Rotary.
How kings are fished out of Carrabelle
Two local approaches are documented: trolling and live bait on a stinger.
Trolling
Per Fishanywhere, trolling is the preferred method for these pelagic fish.
Live bait on a stinger
Renegade rigs live bait on a stinger hook: one hook in the nose, with a treble trailing behind. For rigging beyond the local approach, see our offshore gamefish guides.
| Method | Source | Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Trolling | Fishanywhere | Preferred method for pelagic fish |
| Live bait on a stinger | Renegade | One nose hook, trailing treble |
Who fishes for kings out of Carrabelle
Two local charters list king mackerel, and the Kingfish Shootout is the local tournament target.
Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters & More
Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters lists king mackerel. It runs a 25 ft Sea Fox center console with a 300 hp Yamaha.
Renegade Charters
Renegade Charters on Guidesly lists king mackerel. It runs a 20 ft motorboat for up to 6 passengers. At 20 and 25 ft, both charter boats fall in the same size range as many trailer boats.
Kingfish Shootout
The annual Kingfish Shootout is the local tournament target for kings.
FAQ: king mackerel fishing out of Carrabelle
When are king mackerel off Carrabelle?
Renegade cites the spring and fall migrations. Guidesly puts kings around May with sailfish and dolphinfish. Fishanywhere lists April and June.
How far do boats run from Carrabelle for kings?
Named structure sits 5.5 nm to 28.9 nm from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. Boats also work open water and reef edges along the coast.
What is the closest structure to Red 10?
Carrabelle 3 Mile (AARA FR0018) is the closest. It sits in 39 ft, 5.5 nm out at bearing 107.2.
How far is K Tower from Carrabelle?
K Tower (AARA FR0007) sits in 60 ft, 17.2 nm from Red 10 at bearing 113.8.
How are kings fished locally?
Fishanywhere names trolling as the preferred method. Renegade rigs live bait on a stinger with one nose hook and a trailing treble.
Do Carrabelle charters target king mackerel?
Yes. Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters & More (25 ft Sea Fox, 300 hp Yamaha) and Renegade Charters (20 ft, up to 6 passengers) both list king mackerel.
