Eris Jones and Kevin Norris agree the best tool in the hunt for large king mackerel is current information. If they can’t be on the water, they are talking with fellow fishermen, checking fishing reports,and gathering information as they can. For tournaments, they network with a prearranged group of anglers who share information on where fish and bait are being caught. In the 1990s, cell phones added ar dimension to sharing information as locations for fish and bait could be shared privately on the water.
Past history is also important. If king mackerel have been at a certain rock, artificial reef or sea buoy at a certain time every year for 10 years, odds are pretty good they will be there the same time this year. One of the best examples of this is the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament held the first weekend of October each year in Southport, N.C. Kings may not be on the beach the weekend before, but they arrive in time for this tournament every year.
While marine electronics are constantly improving and provide loads of information, they can’t determine which rock, wreck, reef or bait pod will be holding bait or fish until you arrive. Jones runs limited charters (Backlash Fishing Charters) and fishes with friends often during the week; he credits this time on the water as a primary source of information.
For all the advances in boats, outboards, rods, reels, lines and such, tournament fishing for kings hasn’t undergone many significant changes in years. The one thing that has changed significantly is the abundance of information. Successful fishermen use it to their best advantage.
