Trout Fishing

Spanish Mackerel Fishing Florida

By Bill Rollins 22 May, 2023 6 mins read

I had limited success fishing with standard lures in Florida for spanish-mackerel fishing. I found that 1 to 1.5-ounce metal jigs were a better choice, but they still didn't catch the fish that I was looking for. I also tried spoons and inlets but they didn't work. Instead, I opted for small jigs with a worm attached.

Spoons

Spoons can be used to catch Spanish Mackerel in Florida. They are extremely efficient at catching these fish. Spoons move on their own so they can be cast quite far and cover a lot. They are ideal for catching Kingfish, which can reach 30 pounds. Here are some tips to use spoons in Florida.

Choose a spoon with a stocky, long body. Spanish bass will love spoons that have a thin and long body. For sunny days, the spoons should be shiny and matte. 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. There is plenty of action in St. Augustine, Matanzas and elsewhere. These fish can also be caught by beach fishermen. Cast spoons will attract more fish. For bottom feeders, use dead bait instead. If you want to catch more fish, you can use a weedless plastic bait.

Trolling for Spanish mackerel is also an option. To do this tie a small spoon at the front of your planer and follow it with a 30 pound leader. To avoid the line from getting tangled, a swivel should be placed behind the diving planeer. Another option is a spoon umbrella. 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, live shrimp, and live shrimp make good drift baits. It is advisable to use a large hook to reduce the chance of cutting offs. 1/0 is the best size to use for casting to reefs. Fishing for Spanish mackerel in Florida waters can be a great adventure, so make sure you take advantage of the many possibilities!

The most effective lure for Spanish mackerel is a flies or spoon that imitates its prey. These baits can be used to locate Spanish mackerel both in the Atlantic and Gulf. You can also use a spoon to bait the fish. Flat-bottomed baits cover more water which increases your chances of hooking a Spanish mackerel.

Spoons as well as Got-Cha lures make it easy to catch Spanish mackerel. They are durable and catch the fish from all depths of the water column. Florida is very fond of Get-Cha lures. These lures include rattles built in that attract Spanish mackerel and can be quickly reeled into. Rat-L–Traps, MirrOdines or other baits work as well.

While you are fishing for Spanish mackerel, be prepared for a bit of competition. Prepare for a fight. Daniel Flinn, an expert on the subject, can give you some advice. By visiting local marinas or reading fishing reports, you can find out the location of Spanish mackerel. You should also allow for other boats. Daniel Flinn, an insider, also suggests using a Bobber.

Jigs

Choosing the right jig for catching Spanish is an important step in your quest for big catches. These fish have a slim and slender body, which makes it easy to handle. When tying a hook, you should use a hook with a long shank. Treble hooks can be tied with a leader that is long for the best results. Live shrimp makes a great choice if you prefer to use a live bait.

One of the main concerns for Spanish mackerel fishermen is the taste. While many anglers don't enjoy eating them, you may want to consider preparing the fish for cooking the same day you catch it. Spanish mackerel have a reputation for being very fishy. Therefore, it is important to have the fish ready as soon you can. However, it is recommended to cook the fish within 24 hours of catching it.

Although jigs can work well for Spanish mackerel fishing, live bait is the best. Capt Jim's favorite bait is the Rapala X-Rap Slashbait, which he says is a great mimic of a small bait fish. For him, olive and white work best. Choose a color that mimics the forage in your local area.

Inlets

Fort Pierce's Inlets have been producing good Spanish mackerel fishing action and other species. While fishing for Spanish mackerel, fishermen have also been reporting catches of Snook, Redfish, Sheepshead, and Black Drum. 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. Live shrimp are also a great option during the evening.

Anglers targeting Spanish fish will have the best luck if they target schools of these fish near inlets and reefs. The best way to catch fish is to use long lines and troll around the edge of the school. If the fish are moving through the school or across it, they will dive. Ideal for winter Spanish mackerel fish fishing are inlets.

Spanish mackerel are aggressive feeders during early morning and late afternoon. Spanish mackerel love to eat silverside minnows found in coastal waters. These minnows can be difficult to catch but they are worth it! Flats, passes, and inlets are the best places to catch Spanish mackerel. Make sure to bring your fishing gear!

Inlets and bridges along the coast can be great places to capture these aggressive acrobats. These fish are both prolific inshore as offshore. You can catch them by casting and trolling a lure tube. One of the most effective lures is the Gotcha tube lure. It can either be fished cast or trombled. Fishing off causeways or piers is another option.

Inlets in South Florida

For fishing south Florida's coast waters, inlets for Spanish Mackerel fishing can be a great option. Anglers can target Mackerel because they prefer to feed near the surface. You can fish your lure or live bait into the inlet if the water level is low. Look out for active diving birds as well as churned waters. Spanish mackerel can be spotted in schools.

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

Another great place to find Spanish mackerel is along the shoreline near the Flagler Bridge. Anglers also have the option to catch other species on the Intracoastal Waterway. Flounder, jack crevalle, and sand perch are all commonly caught from the Boynton area to the Flagler Bridge. Fishing with yellow feathers and trolling spoons have been effective.

When is the best time to surf fish for Spanish mackerel?

What is the best time of year to surf fish for Spanish mackerel in Spain? Mackerel migrate between spring and autumn. They should show up once the water temperatures have reached 70 degrees. They will not leave the area until it drops to 70 degrees. On the NOAA website, you can find out the water temperature for the coasts of the U.S. Then, you can use the water temperatures to determine the best times to fish for them.

Choose calm water and clear waters when surfing for Spanish mackerel. To maximize your chances of catching these fish, you should fish at least two hours offshore. If you prefer murky water, fish close to shore. In clear water, cast artificial lures with a heavy fluorocarbon leader. For these aggressive fish, keep your speed up.

The Florida Panhandle's inshore waters are where most experienced surf fishermen prefer fishing in April. There are plenty of fish and they are eating well. The March rains have ended, which has made it easier for the fish to find water. The waters are warm enough for a few pompano to survive during this period. Tube lures and jigs are great options for whiting or redfishing in the surf. Spanish mackerel are known to be a bit more aggressive than the bars.

FAQ

How much are basic fishing tools?

For basic fishing equipment, you can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for rod/reel combinations, bait, tackle boxes, and other accessories. If you want to go out on a bigger boat, then you'll need to spend between $500-$1000 dollars.

Is fishing safe?

Fishing is very safe. Fishing can be an enjoyable way to relax, enjoy nature and have fun. Follow safety rules and you'll have no problems.

Is it safe?

Always ask your seller where you bought your fish. The fish is safe to eat if it doesn't have an expiration. You shouldn't eat fish that smells or looks old.

Statistics

It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.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)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
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)