Deep Sea Fishing

Spanish Mackerel Fishing Rigs

By Trey Gordon 27/09/2022 7 mins read

There are some things that you need to know about spoon fishing and got-cha lures when Spanish mackerel fishing. Bucktails can come in various sizes. You can adjust the size and shape of the bucktails according to the baitfish that you are pursuing.

Casting spoons

Spanish bass are the best choice when it comes to choosing a rod. Casting spoons must have a large flat body, with no cupping and a shorter overall length. Spanish bass eat small baitfish so a shiny finish is best for bright sunlight. A matte finish is better for cloudy days. Rig your Spanish bass fishing rig with a single hook on a split ring. Avoid using a triple hook as it will increase your chances of missing strikes and cause a hiccup.

A metal casting spoon will catch a variety of fish, but the primary species to target are Spanish mackerel and Bluefish. These species will generally be attracted by lures that are fast to retrieve. A jigging spoon will produce a fluttering action that fish like. A jigging spoon is also useful if you are fishing in a lake or river.

Spanish mackerel can't eat hard food and prefer light lures. Casting spoons with a thin wire will prevent the lure from bursting during a fight. Spanish mackerel can still be hooked despite being small. The light wire will shield your hand from the razor-sharp teeth. Your cast will be more effective if you have a smaller bait.

Got-Cha lures

The classic Got-Cha lure makes a great choice if you want to catch Spanish mackerel schools. This treble-hook bait sinks fast at the end of the cast and can be retrieved quickly. Jerking the rod tip creates a deadly darting action underwater. Spanish fish love the action. Before jigging the lure, let it sink to the bottom. For the best chances of hooking a Spanish Mackerel, make sure to reach the bottom of the water column using the lure.

When using Got-Cha lures for Spanish makerel fishing rigs, you need to choose a leader that fits the situation. If you use a long leader, you may lose a lot of fish. If you use a medium-length leader, you may have trouble attracting a lot of Spanish mackerel. If you are fishing in a river or stream, you should fish with a shorter leader.

Charter boat captains know the value of a diamond jig. These jigs are lightweight and extremely useful when Spanish mackerel eat glass minnows in transparent water. They have enough incentive to strike because of their flashy jigs. Diamond jigs are generally trolled, but larger versions are best used vertical jigging over structure.

Monofilament line

Although braided lines can be used on Spanish mackerel fishing rods, many anglers prefer monofilament line. Monofilament lines have a stretch that stops the hook pulling against the fish's teeth. This is because these fish can live in open waters and are unlikely to bite a leader of 20 pounds. The type of Spanish Mackerel you wish to catch is key in choosing a leader.

Monofilament has monofilament as a cheaper option, but fluorocarbon is still a good choice. Fluorocarbon line works better with baits and live trap angling because it can be hidden from the eye. Mono is less likely for the fish to bite and fray, and it also holds knots better. Mono is more forgiving and cheaper than fluoro.

Spanish mackerel can be caught using live bait. While you could use shrimp or baitfish to catch Spanish mackerel, live sardine is most effective. Spanish mackerel are more likely to eat live bait if it is flashy and moves quickly. Trolling spoons can cover large areas and are intended to be trolled at high speed. Trolling is the best option when Spanish mackerel don't work on the surface.

Braided Line

The key to catching more fish and landing more is choosing the right leader. Any mistake made when targeting Spanish will only make matters worse. Using a light graphite rod between eight and ten feet is ideal because it doesn't feel too heavy and extends far enough to reach schools of Spanish. Although you can use heavier wire if you're casting long distances, it's not necessary.

A gotcha lure is a must-have when Spanish mackerel are in the area. This lure sinks quickly, and jerking your tip causes deadly darting below the surface. This action is so dangerous that Spanish fish will attack it! Once you've removed the lure from the water, allow it to drop to the bottom. Next, check the entire water column for fish.

For fishing in Florida, you'll need a 8 to nine-weight fly rod with an excellent drag system. A floating line is the best for fishing in shallow waters, while a intermediate sinker works well in deeper areas. A wire leader could cause vision problems for the fish. Monofilament leads are great for surface fishing but Spanish mackerel will grab a wire leader.

Speck rigs

There are many methods to use Speck rigs in Spanish maker fishing. No matter your experience level, a speck-rig can help you catch some of the most powerful Spanish. Pete suggests trolling a lure made of specks well behind your boat. To ensure that the bait is not disturbed, Pete recommends that you extend the line as far as possible behind the boat. Another method is to use small menhaden as a free-spool, also called peanut bunker or pogy.

You can fish speck rigs from the beach or a pier. For the best results, cast quarters at 45 degrees to maximize the rig's potential. You can fish from the pier with the "Water Walker", which replaces your in-line sinker by a weighted popping core. The rig flips and allows fish imitations of baitfish. The Love Lures Speck Rig is another popular Speck rig. It is composed of two jigs attached to dropper loops and an fluorocarbon leader that weighs 20 or 30 lbs.

One of the most popular approaches for catching these fish is to troll around structure. Kingfish are found close to buoys and beaches. Live shrimp, alewives, or small menhaden are excellent baits. A speck rig containing fresh or live shrimp is a good option for targeting them close to structure. Other lures can be used, as well as trolls.

Drifting

The tricks of the trade are necessary to begin drifting in search for Spanish mackerel. You will need a leader of 30 feet to get started. It is possible to hand-line it to your boat. However, it is important that you pay attention to where strikes are coming. As you make 90-degree turns, your lures' speed will change. The speed of your lines will vary depending on which side you're turning. Match the speed of the lines that are catching more fish.

Drifting baits that work are made with live and artificial baits. There are many choices for bait fish, live shrimp and dead bait. For drifting, split shot is also a good choice. To lower the risk of cutoffs you will need to use a long-shanked line. An 1/0 hook is ideal. Using a 1/0 hook will allow you to cover a large area. Drifting is a great technique for both inshore and offshore waters.

Artificial reefs can be used to attract Spanish Mackerel. These fish can be found near the bottom of the Bay near tunnel tubes. If you are on a pier, you can use cut bait and baited plugs. Drifting live bait is the best technique for fishing these species. In summer, you might also want to fish off Virginia's coast. If the current is running hard, the fish will most likely be aggressive and attack metal spoons.

Live bait

If you're planning to use live bait to catch Spanish mackerel, you'll want to make sure to create the proper rig. Spanish mackerel fishing equipment is basically the same as for king mackerel. Instead of using one hook, two smaller bucktails will be used and a single No. 6 treble hook. These bucktails can be small or large depending on the size and shape of your baitfish.

A shrimp or a small, silvery fish can be used live bait. You have the option to either throw it into a schooling of breaking fish, or you can drift it across an open sea. Inshore or offshore, chumming can also be used to get a strike. Generally, live bait is the most effective method of catching Spanish mackerel. These fish are easy enough to clean. You can also find them at your local shop.

You can also use artificial or live bait when you drift for Spanish mackerel. Drifting is possible with bait fish and live shrimp. Split shot, however, can attract more Spanish Mackerel. Long-shanked hooks work best with this type of fish. This reduces cutoffs. The 1/0 is an excellent choice for all-around fishing.

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FAQ

How can I tell whether my lure is working properly?

You should watch out for movement in your lure when it is thrown into the water. If there is movement, your lure is operating properly.

How can I get my children to fish?

Absolutely! Children love fishing. Fishing is something that most children love to do. Encourage your child to learn how to fish. You can show your child how to tie knots, make a fishing pole and teach them good fishing etiquette. You could also show them pictures of what fish look like and tell them stories about fishing.

Where can you find the best fishing spots?

There are lots of places to fish all over the world. Fishing is a popular pastime in many places, including public parks, private lakes, rivers, streams, or other bodies of water.

Are special clothing requirements for fishing?

Yes, you will need some clothing to protect yourself from the elements. Fishing requires the use of a waders suit. Waders are waterproof pants that cover the legs and feet. Wader suits are sometimes equipped with boots. Other waders suit are made without boots.

Statistics

For most freshwater species you are most likely to target when first starting out, a reel size of 20 to 30 should be more than enough! (strikeandcatch.com)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
To substantiate this theory, Knight attempted a systematic inquiry by considering the timing of 200 'record' catches, more than 90 percent were made during a new moon (when no moon is visible). (myfwc.com)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)