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Spanish Mackerel Fishing Florida

By Mike Richardson 21/10/2022 6 mins read

I had very limited success using the standard lures when I was fishing for spanish mackerel in Florida. I found that 1- to 1.5-ounce, metal jigs were a better choice but still didn't catch my target fish. I also tried spoons with inlets, worms, and spoons. But none of these worked. Instead, I used small jigs which had a attached worm.

Spoons

Spoons are an excellent tool to catch Spanish Mackerel. They are highly effective in catching these fish. Spoons can be cast far and covered a lot of water. They can also be used to catch kingfish that can exceed thirty pounds. Here are some tips to use spoons in Florida.

Choose a spoon with a stocky, long body. Spanish bass may be attracted by spoons with a long, thin body. Shiny spoons are best for sunny days and matte ones for rainy days. Use a single hook, rigged on a split-ring if you fish at twilight. Avoid using a treble or double hook as they can cause missed strikes.

Casting spoons in coastal waters has been a great way to catch Spanish mackerel in Florida. They are an excellent and tasty fish, thanks to their speed swimming. You can find good action around St. Augustine and Matanzas. These fish are also caught by beach fishermen. Cast spoons are more likely to attract fish. For bottom feeders, use dead bait instead. A weedless plastic lure is a better option if you are looking to catch more fish.

You could also trolling for Spanish mackerel. To do this, tie a small spoon onto the planer and attach a 30 pound leader to it. To avoid tangling your line, it is important to have a swivel at the end of the diving planer. Another option is a spoon umbrella. However, you should not exceed seven miles per hour while trolling, as this will result in a low catch rate.

Hard-Baits

You can use artificial or live baits to catch Spanish mackerel. Drift baits that work well are live shrimp and bait fish. They are usually chummed in water. A large hook is recommended to lower the likelihood of cutoffs. If you're fishing for reef fish, a size of 1/0 is an ideal all-round size. Florida waters can offer great fishing opportunities.

Spanish mackerel prefer spoons or flies that mimic their prey. These baits can be used in both the Atlantic and Gulf to find Spanish mackerel. A spoon or hard bait can also be used. Flat-bottomed baits can cover more water, increasing your chances of hooking Spanish mackerel.

For Spanish mackerel, you can use Spoons or Got-Cha lures. They are strong and can catch fish from all depths of water. Florida is a favorite place to use Get-Cha lures. These lures include rattles built in that attract Spanish mackerel and can be quickly reeled into. Rat-L-Traps, MirrOdines, and other baits are also effective.

While you are fishing for Spanish mackerel, be prepared for a bit of competition. Prepare for a fight. Learn from experts such as Daniel Flinn. By visiting local marinas or reading fishing reports, you can find out the location of Spanish mackerel. Make sure to allow room for other boats. Daniel Flinn recommends using the bobber as well.

Jigs

A key step towards catching Spanish is selecting the right bait. This fish is easy to handle because of its slim, slender bodies. A long shank hook is best for tying a hook. A treble hook with a long lead can also be used. You can also use live shrimp as a bait if you prefer.

The taste is a major concern for Spanish mackerel fishermen. Even though many anglers dislike eating them, they may enjoy cooking the fish right away. Spanish mackerel are known for being a bit fishy, so you should try to have it prepared as soon as possible. It is best to cook the fish within 24hrs of it being caught.

While jigs in Florida are useful for Spanish mackerel fishing there, a live bait is better. Capt Jim's favorite bait, according to him, is the Rapala X-Rap Slashbait. This bait mimics a small baitfish. Olive and white are his favorite colors. Pick a color to mimic the local forage.

Inlets

Fort Pierce's inlets have seen good fishing for Spanish mackerel, and other species. Fisherman are reporting catch reports of Redfish, Sheepshead and Black Drum while fishing for Spanish Mackerel. For Spanish mackerel fishing, anglers use spoons and jigs. On the north jetty, live shrimp are being caught. You can also find live shrimp in the evening.

Spanish fish anglers have the best chance of success if they aim for schools within close proximity to inlets and reefs. They should use long lines that run along the edge or near the school to get the best results. The fish will dive if the line runs through or across the school. Winter Spanish mackerel fishing is best done in small, protected areas.

Spanish mackerel feed aggressively during the morning and evening. Inshore waters are rich in silverside minnows, which Spanish mackerel love to feed on. While they can be difficult to catch, the reward is well worth it. You can find Spanish mackerel in Florida's best spots, including flats, passes and inlets. Remember to bring your fishing rods!

These aggressive acrobats are often found along the coast inlets and bridges. These fish are both prolific inshore as offshore. You can catch them by casting and trolling a lure tube. The Gotcha tube lure can be one of the most effective lures. It can be fished cast, or trolled. You may also want to try fishing off piers or causeways.

Inlets in South Florida

Fishing south Florida's beaches is easy with the Spanish Mackerel Inlets. Anglers are prime targets because Mackerel prefer to feed close to the surface. When the water is shallow, troll your lure or live bait in the inlet. Look for churned-up water and active diving birds. Spanish mackerel are easy to spot.

If you are looking for a great fishing location, you might want to try Fort Lauderdale. For example, Capt. Capt. For more information on where to fish, visit their website. You can also listen live online by searching "Spanish Mackerel fishing South Florida" or "Small Inlets."

A great place to look for Spanish mackerel in Florida is near the Flagler Bridge. Anglers may also be able to target other species in the Intracoastal Waterway. From the Boynton area up to the Flagler Bridge, flounder, jack crevalle, or sand perch can all be caught. Fishing with trolling and yellow spoons as well as yellow feathers has proved to be very effective.

Best time to surf fish Spanish mackerel

When is the best time to surf fish for Spanish mackerel? Mackerel migrate to spring and fall. They should begin to appear when water temperatures reach 70 degrees. They will stick around until water temperatures drop below 70 degrees. You can look up water temperatures for coastal areas of the U.S. on the NOAA website. You can then use these water temperatures to determine when is the best time to fish.

For Spanish mackerel fishing, you should choose a spot that has clear water and calm waters. Fish at least two hours offshore to maximize your chances of catching these fish. Fish closer to shore if you prefer murky waters. In clear water, cast artificial lures with a heavy fluorocarbon leader. These aggressive fish will require you to maintain a high speed.

Most experienced surf fishermen prefer to fish in the inshore waters of the Florida Panhandle in April. There, the fish are still plentiful and feeding heavily. The rains of March have stopped making it easier and more convenient for fish to find water. The waters are warmer enough to support a few sandpipers during this time. You can use jigs or tube lures to find red and whiting in surf. Spanish mackerel prefer to swim inshore, and they are not attracted to bars.

FAQ

Is it safe and legal to eat fish caught from another source?

Always check with the seller to see if there is a freshness date. If the fish has no expiration date, then it's probably safe to eat. But if the fish looks old or smells bad, then you shouldn't eat it.

What gear is necessary for fishing?

You will need a rod, reel and line. Hooks, bait, tackle boxes, and snacks are also needed. You will need to know how to cast, hook up a hook and use a trolling motor to catch fish. Remember to be patient and wait for the right moment before you strike.

What distance should I fish from the shore?

The farther you are from the shore, you're more likely to catch fish. But, you also have a higher chance of getting wet.

How long does a skilled fisherman take?

You need to practice for years before you can become a proficient fisherman. Learn new techniques, improve your skills and become a more skilled fisherman.

Statistics

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)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
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)