King mackerel fishing out of Sarasota centers on the nearshore reefs and on wrecks and ledges in about 60-100 ft, with fish around March-May and again in late October. This is a run briefing from New Pass, with headings, distances and depths for the named grounds, plus who fishes them from this port.
When kings are off Sarasota
New Pass is the reference point for every run on this page. The Sarasota port guide covers the pass, ramps and port basics.
Kings run on Sarasota’s nearshore reefs March-May and again in late October, according to the sarasota.fish king mackerel page. That gives a spring run and a fall run.
- Spring window: March-May
- Fall window: late October
The king mackerel species guide covers the species in general, and the Gulf of Mexico king mackerel guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico region guide) covers how kings move through this part of the coast.
Where boats run from New Pass
Every distance below is measured from New Pass, or from the New Pass Gulf marker where the source gives it that way. Every heading is magnetic. Chart layers are not for navigation, so verify positions against your own chart and electronics.
Several grounds sit shallower than the 60-100 ft band: Cuda Hole / Table Rock at 49 ft, I-1 at 25 ft, I-2 at 30 ft and the Casey Key / Grassy Key ledges at 25 ft. These are short-trip water. The wrecks and ledges in 60-100 ft are where the longer runs go, about 9.5 to 18 miles out.
| Ground | Depth | Heading (magnetic) | Distance from New Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-2 Fisher reef | 30 ft | 239° | 1.43 nm |
| I-1 Silvertooth reef | 25 ft | 187° | 1.74 nm |
| Point of Rocks (Siesta Key) | not listed | not listed | off Siesta Key beach |
| Cuda Hole / Table Rock ledge | 49 ft | 246° | 9.54 miles (from New Pass Gulf marker) |
| The Gully | not listed | 259° | 10.29 miles |
| Casey Key Beach / Grassy Key ledges | 25 ft (5-8 ft ledges) | 152° | 11 nm |
| Old Barge | 80 ft | 249.6° | 17.69 miles |
| Swiss Cheese | 70-85+ ft | about 250° | 18 miles |
The nearest NOAA station is NDBC C-MAN VENF1 at Venice, FL, 27.072 N 82.453 W, which reports wind, wave height and period. Its readings describe Venice, not grounds 10-18 miles off New Pass, so check the official NWS forecast as well before committing to a run.
I-1 and I-2 reefs
These are the closest marks to the pass. I-2 Fisher reef sits in 30 ft, 1.43 nm at 239° magnetic from New Pass. I-1 Silvertooth reef sits in 25 ft, 1.74 nm at 187° magnetic.
Point of Rocks and Casey Key ledges
Point of Rocks lies off Siesta Key beach. The Casey Key Beach / Grassy Key ledges are 5-8 ft ledges in 25 ft, 11 nm at 152° magnetic.
Cuda Hole and The Gully
Cuda Hole / Table Rock ledge is in 49 ft, at 246° magnetic and 9.54 miles from the New Pass Gulf marker. The Gully lies at 259° magnetic, 10.29 miles from New Pass.
Old Barge and Swiss Cheese
Old Barge is in 80 ft, at 249.6° magnetic and 17.69 miles out. Swiss Cheese is in 70-85+ ft, at about 250° magnetic and 18 miles out. The two lie on nearly the same line, and both are 60-100 ft long-run grounds.
How kings are fished here
Locals troll for kings with stinger rigs, per sarasota.fish. Trolling is the method on the nearshore reefs and on the wrecks and ledges in 60-100 ft.
The coastal and offshore gamefish guides cover other species that can be paired with a king run.
Who fishes for kings out of Sarasota
Two local operations list king mackerel.
Kokomo
Kokomo’s 4-hour nearshore trip targets kings and Spanish mackerel. Its 6-hour trip runs wrecks and ledges in 60-100 ft, with kings on the list. That split matches the short-run and long-run water above.
Sarasota Offshore Fishing Charters
Sarasota Offshore Fishing Charters lists king mackerel. The boat is FISH TALES, a 2001 Luhrs 40 ft sportfisher. Captain Tyler is named on the charter’s FAQ.
FAQ: king mackerel fishing out of Sarasota
When do kings run off Sarasota?
March-May and again in late October, per sarasota.fish.
How far do boats run from New Pass?
From 1.43 nm (I-2 Fisher reef) out to 18 miles (Swiss Cheese). Old Barge sits at 17.69 miles.
What depth holds kings off Sarasota?
Wrecks and ledges in about 60-100 ft. The nearshore reefs sit at 25-30 ft.
What rig do locals troll for kings?
Trolling with stinger rigs, per sarasota.fish.
Which buoy should I check before running out?
NDBC C-MAN VENF1 at Venice, 27.072 N 82.453 W, for wind, wave height and period. It reads conditions at Venice, not on the grounds, so pair it with the official forecast.
Which Sarasota charters list king mackerel?
Kokomo, with 4-hour and 6-hour trips, and Sarasota Offshore Fishing Charters aboard FISH TALES.
Are Spanish mackerel caught on the same trips?
Kokomo’s 4-hour nearshore trip targets both kings and Spanish mackerel.
