King Mackerel Fishing.....Prep Like A National Champion

Many anglers see King Mackerel fishing as somewhat easy. In some respects, it is. Get some live bait, head out the inlet, and start trolling. They’re out there…..SOMEWHERE! However, it’s a far different game regarding King Mackerel competitive fishing. Over the years, King fishing competition has closed the gap on big game fishing when it comes to the cost, as well as details on preparing for a tournament.

I begin my preparation hours after completing my last tournament for many reasons. To start, my mind is fresh, and I can easily remember any problems I may have had with my boat or gear. Second, problems may require attention from a professional repairman, or parts need to be ordered. Both may take time, so I want to be certain any fixes are completed before the next tournament. I make sure well ahead of time that my boat and trailer are ready for the next trip.

Next, I change the line on my reels. I do this after every tournament. I will never take a chance on having chaffed lines that may be far down the spool. It’s a considerable cost, but it’s nothing like the cost of losing a tournament due to a broken line that could have been prevented. The new line is a lot cheaper than a lost tournament. I also make my rigs and check everything that will be in the water.

A few days before the next tournament, I start getting my live bait. I have a large bait pen that holds it until tournament day. I also make sure that I have frozen bait as a backup in the event the live bait is used up before the tournament ends. It’s better to be safe than without bait. The days just before the tournament, I reach out to my fishing network who bring me up to speed with details on their recent success or failures in the area I’ll be fishing. This network is made up of King Mackerel fishermen from all along the Southeast coast.

Competitive King Mackerel fishing is somewhat different than recreational fishing in many ways. However, you can apply these tactics to your fishing days. It’s sure to bring you better success and more fish.