fishing gear

Spanish Mackerel Fishing Florida

By Bill Rollins 9 May, 2023 6 mins read

I had limited success fishing with standard lures in Florida for spanish-mackerel fishing. Although I found them to be more effective than the usual lures, I still couldn't catch any of the fish I was after using them. I also tried spoons (inlets, worms) and spoons. However, none of these methods worked. Instead, I chose small jigs that had a worm attached.

Spoons

Spoons can be used to catch Spanish Mackerel in Florida. They are extremely efficient at 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 for using spoons in Florida.

Choose a spoon with a stocky, long body. Spanish bass may be attracted by spoons with a long, thin body. They should be shiny in bright sunlight and matte on cloudy days. A single hook should be used if you are fishing at night. You should not use a triple hook because it can cause missed strikes.

Casting spoons on the coast waters is a great and easy way to catch Spanish Mackerel in Florida. They are an excellent and tasty fish, thanks to their speed swimming. You'll find plenty of action around St. Augustine as well as Matanzas. These fish are also caught by beach fishermen. Cast spoons attract more fish. For bottom feeders, use dead bait instead. A weedless plastic lure is a better option if you are looking to catch more fish.

Trolling is another option to catch Spanish mackerel. To do this tie a small spoon at the front of your planer and follow it with a 30 pound leader. To avoid tangling your line, it is important to have a swivel at the end of the diving planer. You can also use a spoon umbrella to rig. Trolling is best done at seven miles an hours. If you exceed this speed, your catch rate will be low.

Hard-Baits

Anglers can utilize live or artificial baits when drifting for Spanish mackerel. Bait fish and live shrimp are effective drift baits and are often chummed in the water. A large hook is recommended to lower the likelihood of cutoffs. A good size for all purposes is 1/0 if you're casting to the reefs. Fishing for Spanish mackerel in Florida waters can be a great adventure, so make sure you take advantage of the many possibilities!

Spanish mackerel love spoons and flies that imitate their prey. These baits are effective for locating Spanish mackerel in both the Gulf and Atlantic. You can also use a spoon or hard bait. Flat-bottomed baits will cover more water, which increases the odds of hooking a Spanish mackerel.

Spoons and Got-Cha lures are effective for catching Spanish mackerel. They are sturdy and catch the fish from every depth of the water column. Florida is known for its popular Get-Cha baits. These lures include rattles built in that attract Spanish mackerel and can be quickly reeled into. Other baits such as MirrOdines and Rat-L-Traps are also very effective.

Fishing for Spanish mackerel can be challenging so be ready to face some stiff competition. Prepare for battle and fight! Experts like Daniel Flinn can help you. You can find out where the Spanish mackerel are by checking out local marinas and fishing reports. Make sure to allow room for other boats. Daniel Flinn is an insider who also recommends using his bobber.

Jigs

The first step to catching big Spanish fish is choosing the right jig. These fish are easy to handle due to their slim 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.

Spanish mackerel fishermen are concerned about their taste. Although many anglers do not enjoy the taste of Spanish mackerel, it is worth considering cooking the fish the day after you catch it. Spanish mackerel is known for being quite fishy so make sure to get it cooked as soon possible. It is recommended that you cook the fish within 24hrs after catching it.

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. White and olive are the best colors for him. Consider a color that resembles the local forage.

Inlets

Fort Pierce has been producing great action for Spanish mackerel as well as other species. Fisherman are reporting catch reports of Redfish, Sheepshead and Black Drum while fishing for Spanish Mackerel. The best way to catch Spanish mackerel is for anglers to use spoons or lures. Live shrimp can be found on the north side of the jetty. You can also find live shrimp in the evening.

Spanish fish are best targeted by anglers who target them near inlets or reefs. Anglers should use long lines to troll along the edges of schools of fish. Fish will dive if they are running across or through them. Ideal for winter Spanish mackerel fish fishing are inlets.

Spanish mackerel are aggressive feeders in the early morning and later afternoon. Spanish mackerel are attracted to silverside minnows in the inshore waters. While they can be difficult to catch, the reward is well worth it. Inlets, passes, and flats are some of the best places to find Spanish mackerel in Florida. And don't forget to bring your fishing poles!

Located along the coast, inlets and bridges can be excellent places to catch these aggressive acrobats. This fish is prolific offshore and inshore, and can easily be caught by casting a tube-tailed lure. One of the most effective lures is the Gotcha tube lure. It can be fished cast or trolled. You might also like to try fishing from causeways and piers.

Inlets in South Florida

If you're looking for Spanish Mackerel fishing, there are many options. Anglers should be aware that Mackerel feed close to the surface and are a good target. You can fish your lure or live bait into the inlet if the water level is low. Be on the lookout for active divers and churned up water. Spanish mackerel are easy to spot.

Fort Lauderdale might be a good choice if you are looking to find a great spot for fishing. Capt. Norm Bekoff's weekly fishing report on Fox Sports 940 Miami is available online, and it's also broadcast on Nautical Ventures' Facebook page. Visit their website to find out more about where you can fish. You can also watch the show online by searching for "Spanish Mackerel Fishing in South Florida" as well as "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 to Flagler Bridge area, fish such as flounder, Jack Crevalle, and Sand Perch are all common. It has been successful to fish with trolling spoons and yellow feathers.

Surf fishing for Spanish mackerel is best done at night

When is the best season to surf fish Spanish mackerel? Mackerel migrate in spring and fall. They should show up once the water temperatures have reached 70 degrees. They will stay until the water temperature drops below 70 degrees. The NOAA website allows you to check the water temperatures in the U.S. coasts. You can then use the water temperatures for the best times to fish.

Choose calm water and clear waters when surfing for Spanish mackerel. You want to catch these fish as soon as possible, so make sure you are at least two hours off the coast. If you prefer murky or muddy water, you should fish closer to the shore. In clear water, cast artificial lures with a heavy fluorocarbon leader. These aggressive fish will require you to maintain a high speed.

Experienced surf fishermen prefer to fish inshore waters in the Florida Panhandle during April. There are plenty of fish and they are eating well. The rains that had begun in March have stopped, making it easier to find water. The waters are still warm enough to support a few pomona. You can use jigs or tube lures to find red and whiting in surf. Spanish mackerel are known to be a bit more aggressive than the bars.

FAQ

How far should I go?

Cast your line as deep as possible. Keep your arm straight when casting a line. This will ensure that the line doesn’t twist.

How much can I afford to buy fishing gear?

You don’t have to spend much on fishing gear. There are many low-cost options. You could, for example, buy a cheap reel and line. You can also buy a reel and reel set.

Do I need special permits to fish?

If you intend to take fish outside of your state or cross county lines, no. Many states allow anglers to fish without any type of license. Check with your local Fish & Wildlife agency to see what is required.

How often should my lures be changed?

Lures should be changed every few days. Lures tend to lose effectiveness after being left out in the sun too long.

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

No matter where your fish is purchased, make sure you ask the seller whether they have an expiration date. If there is no expiration date on the fish, it is probably safe to eat. You shouldn't eat fish that smells or looks old.

Which is the best spot to fish?

Fishermen should be able to fish in areas near water bodies, such as streams, lakes, rivers and rivers. These areas are rich in fish food.

Which rod should you choose?

Graphite composite is the best rod for fly-fishing. This material is lightweight and strong with great casting capabilities. To be able to cast better with graphite, you need to practice.

Statistics

About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
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)
Orvis, Simms, and Fishpond have been making some of the best packs and vests for a long time, and it seems like 90% of the anglers around the area use these brands. (troutandsteelhead.net)