I had little success with traditional lures while fishing for spanish mackerel fish in Florida. While I found the 1 to 1.5-ounce jigs to be a better option, they still failed me in catching the fish I was seeking. I also tried spoons with inlets, worms, and spoons. But none of these worked. I instead chose to use small jigs attached with a tiny worm.
Spoons
Spoons are an excellent tool to catch Spanish Mackerel. They are highly effective in catching these fish. Spoons wiggle on their own, so you can cast them quite far and cover a lot of water. They are great for catching kingfish. Kingfish can be over 30 pounds. Here are some tips about how to use spoons Florida.
If you are looking for a spoon to use, make sure it has a large, well-built body that isn't too long. Spanish bass can be attracted to spoons that are too long or thin. Shiny spoons are best for sunny days and matte ones for rainy days. For fishing in the dark, you should use a single-hook rigged with a split ring. A treble hook can lead to missed strikes.
Casting spoons in the Florida coast is a great way of catching Spanish mackerel. They are a tasty and enjoyable meal due to their fast swimming speed. Good action can be found around St. Augustine or Matanzas. These fish are also a popular catch for beach fishermen. Cast spoons tend to 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.
You can also try trolling to catch Spanish mackerel. To do this, you should tie a small spoon to the front of the planer and trail 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 should be limited to seven miles per annum. This will reduce your catch rate.
Hard-Baits
Fishing for Spanish mackerel can be done with either artificial or live baits. Bait fish and live shrimp are effective drift baits and are often chummed in the water. For reducing cutoffs, a large hook is recommended. If you are casting to the reefs, 1/0 is a good all-around size. Florida waters are a great place to fish for Spanish mackerel. Make sure you make the most of it!
A spoon or flies that imitate the prey is the best lure for Spanish mackerel. These baits work well in the Atlantic as well as the Gulf for Spanish mackerel. 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 and Got-Cha lures are effective for catching Spanish mackerel. They are strong and can catch fish from all depths of water. Florida's most popular lure is the Get-Cha. These lures include rattles built in that attract Spanish mackerel and can be quickly reeled into. Rat-L -Traps, MirrOdines and other baits can also be effective.
While you are fishing for Spanish mackerel, be prepared for a bit of competition. Be ready for a fight and a battle! You can learn from experts like Daniel Flinn. Look for local marinas, fishing reports, and you'll be able to determine where Spanish mackerel live. Don't forget to leave room for other boats. The insider member Daniel Flinn also recommends using a bobber.
Jigs
A key step towards catching Spanish is selecting the right bait. These fish are easy to handle due to their slim bodies. You should tie a hook with an extended shank when tying it. A treble hook with a long lead can also be used. Live shrimp makes a great choice if you prefer to use a live bait.
The taste is a major concern for Spanish mackerel fishermen. 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 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 are effective for Spanish mackerel fishing in Florida, the best bait is a live fish. Capt Jim likes the Rapala X-Rap Slashbait. He says it is a great imitation of small bait fish. The colors that work best for him are olive and white. Pick a color to mimic the local forage.
Inlets
Fort Pierce has been producing great action for Spanish mackerel as well as other species. Fisherman are also reporting Snook, Redfish catches, Sheepshead, Black Drum, while fishing 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 will have better luck if they are able to target schools near reefs and inlets. 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. For winter Spanish mackerel fishing, inlets are the best.
Spanish mackerel feed aggressively during the morning and evening. Inshore waters are rich in silverside minnows, which Spanish mackerel love to feed on. They can be a difficult catch, but you will be rewarded for your effort! These are the best areas to find Spanish mackerel anywhere in Florida. Make sure to bring your fishing gear!
These aggressive acrobats are often found along the coast inlets and bridges. These fish are prolific inshore and offshore, and can be caught by casting and trolling a tube lure. One of the most effective lures is the Gotcha tube lure. You can cast it or troll it. You may also want to try fishing off piers or causeways.
Inlets of South Florida
The best option to fish south Florida's coastline waters is Spanish Mackerel fishing inlets. Anglers have a prime opportunity to catch Mackerel as they tend to feed close the surface. Troll your lure or live bait when the water is shallow. You should look for active diving birds and churned water. Spanish mackerel are easy to spot.
Fort Lauderdale is a great place to fish if you're looking for the best fishing spot. Capt. Capt. Visit their website for more information about where to fish. You can also listen online to the show by searching the keywords "Spanish Mackerel fishing South Florida” and "Small Inlets".
Spanish mackerel can also found near the Flagler Bridge. Anglers have other options. From the Boynton area up to the Flagler Bridge, flounder, jack crevalle, or sand perch can all be caught. Fishing with trolling spoons or yellow feathers has proven to be effective.
Best time to surf fish Spanish mackerel
Which is the best time for Spanish mackerel surf fishing? Mackerel migrate in spring or fall. They should begin to appear when water temperatures reach 70 degrees. They will not leave the area until it drops to 70 degrees. The NOAA website provides information on water temperatures in coastal U.S. areas. You can then use these water temperatures to determine when is the best time to fish.
Surf fishing for Spanish mackerel requires that you choose a spot with calm waters and clear water. To increase your chances of catching these species, fish at least two to three hours offshore. Fish closer to shore if you prefer murky waters. Cast artificial lures using heavy fluorocarbon leaders in clear waters. For these aggressive fish, keep your speed up.
Most experienced surf fishermen prefer to fish in the inshore waters of the Florida Panhandle in April. There are plenty of fish and they are eating well. The rains that began in March have ceased, making it easier for fish to find the water. The waters are warmer enough to support a few sandpipers during this time. If you're in search of red or whiting in the surf, try a tube lure or jigs. Spanish mackerel are known to be a bit more aggressive than the bars.
FAQ
Can I fish during the day or night?
However, you need to be sure you are using artificial lighting. Fisherman use artificial lights to lure fish. These lights work best after the sun sets because fish are more active at night.
How can I get my children to fish?
Absolutely! Kids love to fish. The majority of children who are raised fishing will never stop. There are many ways you can encourage your child fishing. You can show your child how to tie knots, make a fishing pole and teach them good fishing etiquette. You can also show them photos of fish and tell them stories about fishing.
Where can I find good fishing guides?
The services offered by fishing guides are numerous. These guides can give advice on the best places to catch fish, offer tips on how to catch specific types of fish, or even show you how different types of fishing equipment works.
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)
- About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
- 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)
- It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
External Links
How To
How to Perfectly Cast a Fishing Rod
Casting a fishing pole requires that you use your wrist to guide the rod's handle toward the water. The rod should be held slightly away from the body so that it is parallel to the ground. The rod should be moved forward with the tip perpendicular towards the water surface. The fish won't eat if the tip touches water's surface sooner than the line reaches bottom. This technique can help increase the distance between your rod tip and the water's surface.
If you don't feel comfortable casting a rod yet, here are some tips to make it easier.
The first thing you should do is to hold the rod at your chest. You can control the rod's direction by this method without having to bend down.
Second, when casting a heavy rod, you may want to set up a tripod on the shoreline or on a rock ledge. You can rest the rod securely, while also holding the reel.
Third, you may want to consider buying a small reel instead of an expensive one. A cheap spinning reel can be used to cast longer distances, and it will also help you with your hand-eye coordination.
A fishing pole holder is another option. These holders are designed to hold the rod firmly while keeping it upright. These holders are easy to store and protect your rod from damage.
Fifth, practice casting until you get used to the motion. Casting a fishing line takes practice.
Sixth, patience is the key to successful fishing. Waiting for the right moment to strike is key to successful fishing. Then, work hard to get the fish in.