Southern Kingfish
Menticirrhus americanus
A member of the drum family with a silvery body and distinctive barbel under the chin. Known for its excellent table fare and fighting ability when hooked.
Southern Kingfish at a glance
- Scientific name
- Menticirrhus americanus
- Typical size
- 10-16 inches, 0.5-2 lbs
- Water
- Saltwater
- Habitat
- Inshore
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
Found in sandy surf zones, inshore waters, and around jetties along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Anglers target them from the surf, piers, and shallow boats using bottom rigs with shrimp, squid, or cut bait. They prefer areas with sandy or muddy bottoms where they can forage for crustaceans and worms.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a southern kingfish through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksSouthern Kingfish questions people ask
Southern Kingfish is Menticirrhus americanus.
A typical southern kingfish runs 10-16 inches, 0.5-2 lbs. Cobia records the length and weight of every southern kingfish you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Found in sandy surf zones, inshore waters, and around jetties along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Anglers target them from the surf, piers, and shallow boats using bottom rigs with shrimp, squid, or cut bait. They prefer areas with sandy or muddy bottoms where they can forage for crustaceans and worms. It is a salt water species, filed under inshore in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.