King mackerel are biting near Frying Pan Tower

Frying Pan Tower is king mackerel heaven

The king mackerel bite off North Carolina’s Cape Fear doesn’t slow down this time of year. But the best action does move offshore. Water temperatures are dropping, pushing baitfish offshore. And hungry kings follow them.

The key to limits of kings seems to be water temperatures of about 67 degrees or warmer and schools of bait. When you find these, you score. And sometimes the action is so heated, anglers can only use one rod at a time.

The hottest action may start a little closer inshore at the Horseshoe. But the area within sight of Frying Pan Tower is the best bet. The underwater structure at the tower attracts baitfish, AR 400 is about a quarter-mile to the north-northeast and the rocky bottom there varies from 45 to 85 feet deep in a 10- mile circle around the tower.

Frying Pan Tower, built in 1964, has attracted bait and fish for more than 50 years. It is about 30 miles offshore from Cape Fear (33.29.100N/077.35.390W). AR 400, a 166-foot former menhaden boat, was added in 2007 (33.26.302N/077.35.265W). These sit about 20 miles inshore of the Gulf Stream. The waters here are often warmer than water influenced by the Gulf Stream.

A variety of baits and lures work this time of year

Kings are usually hungry and feeding heavily during December. They aren’t picky and waiting for live baits, although they won’t turn them down. Frozen cigar minnows and lures are catching them well. The kings will also hit larger spoons, sea witches rigged with strips, and swimming plugs.

A mixture of recreational and commercial fishermen are on the site most days. Many recreational fishermen leave the dock with several boxes of cigar minnows, catch a limit, then release fish until they’re tired. They sometimes also pull lures, especially swimming plugs that resemble baitfish. Commercial fishermen often fill their fish boxes while primarily trolling spoons behind planers. They also troll rigged sea witches just below the surface or behind planers to get them deeper.

In addition to king mackerel, Frying Pan Tower holds a variety of bottomfish. And occasionally, the warm water attracts a bluewater predator like a wahoo. This is a great spot to catch a limit of December kings and then add a variety of grouper, snapper, black sea bass and more. December weather is usually mild. But this is a long trip, so check the marine forecast before heading out.