King mackerel Fishing in Texas
Best lakes, limits and records for king mackerel in Texas.
- 79 lbstate record
Photo: Stephen Ewen, CC BY-SA 3.0
About king mackerel in Texas waters
In Texas, king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) counts as a saltwater species. No TPWD species profile page found in the TPWD species index. A 79 pound fish from Gulf of America, set in 2006 holds the Texas rod and reel record.
Statewide rules for king mackerel
| Rule | Daily bag | Minimum | Maximum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King mackerel | 3 | 27 in |
King mackerel limits from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027).
Official Texas marks for king mackerel
| Category | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fly fishing | 30.4 | 51 | Gulf of America | 2016 |
| rod and reel all tackle | 79 | 58.5 | Gulf of America | 2006 |
King mackerel records: TPWD state records list, October 2026.
Texas ports for king mackerel
Expect a run into the Gulf for king mackerel, and these ports have boats that make it.
- Port Aransas8 offshore or party boat operators
- Galveston3 offshore or party boat operators
- Freeport3 offshore or party boat operators
- South Padre Island1 offshore or party boat operator
- Port Isabel1 offshore or party boat operator
- Lake Jackson1 offshore or party boat operator
- Port Bolivar1 offshore or party boat operator
- Angleton1 offshore or party boat operator
- Quintana Jetty (Freeport south jetty)Brazoria
- Packery Channel JettiesNueces
- Port Aransas South Jetty (Horace Caldwell area)Nueces
- Colorado River Jetties (Matagorda Jetty Park)Matagorda
- Port Mansfield Channel JettiesWillacy
- Brazos Santiago Jetties (Isla Blanca / South Padre)Cameron
King mackerel ports: operator websites and directories, October 2026. Jetties: Texas General Land Office.
What to know about king mackerel in Texas
Where do party boats go for king mackerel in Texas?
Look first at Port Aransas, then Galveston and Freeport, for offshore and party boats.
Will I find king mackerel on the rocks in Texas?
Now and then, from the longest jetties when warm blue water pushes in, though most king mackerel are caught from a boat.
Which rules cover king mackerel past 9 nautical miles?
Inside 9 nautical miles Texas rules hold, and federal rules govern king mackerel farther out.
What is the Texas state record king mackerel?
It weighed 79 pounds, caught at Gulf of America in 2006 on rod and reel.
What size and bag rules cover king mackerel in Texas?
3 a day statewide with a 27 inch minimum.
Can I fish for king mackerel in Texas without a license?
From age 17, king mackerel anglers carry a license with the saltwater endorsement.
By what scientific name are king mackerel known?
Scomberomorus cavalla.
What rules apply to king mackerel from a state park pier?
Keep them under saltwater king mackerel limits; the state park covers the license.
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