Mackerel Fishing Near Cape Coral & Ft. Myers

“No. I won’t make a “Holy mackerel” joke for the website.” – Capt. Craig

Mackerel fishing off the shores of Ft. Myers and Cape Coral is some of the best in the Gulf of Mexico. A migratory pelagic fish, mackerel follow schools of baitfish around the Gulf and are typically found farther offshore. Captain Craig of Crabby Charters takes guests up to 50 miles offshore to give them the best chance of hooking massive mackerel.

The waters near Cape Coral and Ft. Myers are home to a number of Spanish mackerel, but Kings are more common. Both mackerel species are famed for their powerful runs; King mackerel commonly take 100 to 200 yards of line off the reel in the first thirty seconds of the fight.

Florida Gulf Coast Mackerel Fishing Regulations

Mackerel prefer warmer waters and typically head south towards Ft. Myers and Cape Coral in the Fall and Winter. The current Florida state record is 12 pounds for Spanish mackerel and 90 pounds for King mackerel. As a pelagic fish, mackerel do not have an aggregate bag limit.