Fly Fishing for King Mackerel

[Fishfinder]

The fly fishing for king mackerel here in the Morehead City and Atlantic Beach area is just about as hot as it gets! The kings are spread out for just along the beach to offshore around 15 miles. The inshore artificail reefs are full of kings in the 8 to 15 lb. range and farther offshore the kings are from 10 to 30 lbs. A 9 wt. rod works great for the smaller kings but I prefer a 10 wt. for the larger kings. We use a 400 gr. full sinking line and let the fly sink to about 50 ft. and then rip it back to the surface as fast as we can and the kings will really go onto a fly. Here is a pirctrure of a fly that I tie that has worked for me on both the kings mackerel and the large Spanish mackerel. The chartreuse and pink with plenty of flash seems to work the best.

[livetofishnj]

Capt Joe, what's the head of that tied with? I like the way that looks and would love to try it with some different patterns

[OneMoreCast]

Estaz..the material over the eyes that is..

Hey Capt,
I've been trying to get down there for the king bite. I've heard some great things this year in particular.
One of my good friends keeps his boat down there for the year and told me it was kinda "easy" to target them.
In other words.. not terribly technical and very consistent action.

[Fishfinder]

Hi Bryan,

The material wrapped around the head is Pearl crystal heavy chenille. We carry it ia a variety of colors, but I really like the pearl. Onemorecast the king mackerel bite will be very good from now through the end of November. They will range from 8 to 10 lbs up to 40 lbs. All you need is a good 9 or 10 wt and 400 full sinking line and find some good structure and bait and they are not too hard to catch.

Capt. Joe Shute

[livetofishnj]

thanks, gonna have to play with some of that this winter when I'm reloading the box