Deep Sea Fishing

Spanish Mackerel Fishing Florida

By Mike Richardson 12 January, 2023 6 mins read

When I was spanish mackerel fishing in Florida, I had limited success with the usual lures. 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 using worms, inlets, and spoons, but neither of these proved to be successful. Instead, I used small jigs with attached worms.

Spoons

You should use spoons if you want to catch Spanish Mackerel. They are extremely effective at catching these fish. Spoons wiggle on their own, so you can cast them quite far and cover a lot of water. They are also great for catching kingfish, which can weigh more than thirty pounds. These are some tips on 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 will love spoons that have a thin and long body. They should be shiny for bright sunlight and matte for cloudy days. Use a single hook, rigged on a split-ring if you fish at twilight. It can result in missed strikes if you use a double hook.

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. Beach fishermen also have good success catching these fish. Cast spoons are more effective at attracting 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 for Spanish mackerel is also an option. 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 the line, you will need to swivel behind a 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, live shrimp, and live shrimp make good drift baits. For reducing cutoffs, a large hook is recommended. 1/0 is the best size to use for casting to reefs. Florida waters can offer great fishing opportunities.

A spoon or flies that imitate the prey is the best lure for Spanish mackerel. These baits are effective for locating Spanish mackerel in both the Gulf and Atlantic. A spoon or hard bait can also be used. Flat-bottomed fish will be more likely to take your bait, and you'll have a better chance of hooking one.

Spoons, Got-Cha and other lures can be effective in catching Spanish mackerel. These lures are long-lasting and can be used to catch fish at any depth in the water column. Get-Cha lures are a popular choice in Florida. These lures are equipped with rattles which attract Spanish mackerel when they are quickly reeled in. Rat-L-Traps, MirrOdines, and other baits are also effective.

Be prepared to compete with other fishermen while you fish for Spanish mackerel. You should be ready for battles and fights! Learn from experts such as Daniel Flinn. Find out where Spanish mackerel are at sea by visiting local marinas and reading fishing reports. Be sure to allow space for other boats. Daniel Flinn is an insider who also recommends using his 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. You should tie a hook with an extended shank when tying it. You can also use treble hooks with a long leader for best results. A live bait is a good choice, such as live shrimp.

One of the main concerns for Spanish mackerel fishermen is the taste. Even though many anglers dislike eating them, they may enjoy cooking the fish right away. Spanish mackerel are notorious for being a bit fishy. You should prepare it as soon as possible. It is best to cook the fish within 24hrs of it being caught.

While jigs are effective for Spanish mackerel fishing in Florida, the best bait is a live fish. Capt Jim says that the Rapala X-Rap Slashbait is his favorite bait. It mimics small bait fish well. Olive and white are his favorites. Choose a color that mimics the forage in your local area.

Inlets

Fort Pierce's inlets have seen good fishing for Spanish mackerel, and 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. 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 in the early morning and later afternoon. Silverside minnows are abundant in the waters offshore, which Spanish mackerel enjoy eating. It can be hard to catch them, but it is worth the effort. These are the best areas to find Spanish mackerel anywhere in Florida. Don't forget your fishing poles!

These aggressive acrobats love inlets and bridges that are found along the coast. These fish are prolific inshore and offshore, and can be caught by casting and trolling a tube lure. The Gotcha tube lure is one of the best lures to use. You can fish it cast or trolled. Fishing off causeways or piers is another option.

Inlets of South Florida

Fishing south Florida's beaches is easy with the Spanish Mackerel Inlets. Anglers should be aware that Mackerel feed close to the surface and are a good target. Troll your lure or live bait when the water is shallow. Active diving birds and churned-up waters are good indicators. Spanish mackerel are easy to spot.

Fort Lauderdale might be a good choice if you are looking to find a great spot for fishing. For example, Capt. Capt. Their website has more information about where to fish. You can also watch the show online by searching for "Spanish Mackerel Fishing in South Florida" as well as "Small Inlets."

Spanish mackerel can also be found along the coast near Flagler Bridge. Anglers can also target other species along the Intracoastal Waterway. From the Boynton area up to the Flagler Bridge, flounder, jack crevalle, or sand perch can all be caught. It has been successful to fish with trolling spoons and yellow feathers.

Best times to surf fish for Spanish mackerel

What is the best time of year to surf fish for Spanish mackerel in Spain? Mackerel migrate in spring and fall. They will start showing up when the water temperature reaches 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. The water temperatures can be used to determine the best times of the year to fish.

Surf fishing for Spanish mackerel requires that you choose a spot with calm waters and clear water. For the best chances of catching these fish you need to fish at least 2 hours offshore. You may prefer murky water so fish closer to shore. Cast artificial lures with a heavy fluorocarbon leader in clear water. These aggressive fish require speed.

Inshore fishing is the best option for surf fishermen who are experienced. The fish are plentiful there and they are still eating heavily. The rains that began in March have ceased, making it easier for fish to find the water. The waters are still warm enough to support a few pomona. Tube lures and jigs are great options for whiting or redfishing in the surf. Spanish mackerel often swim offshore of bars.

FAQ

What happens to me if I'm caught fishing illegally?

You could face penalties, jail time, or even losing your fishing license. It's important to know the rules before you go fishing.

Is it possible to fish during the day?

You can fish at any time of the day. The only time you cannot fish is during times when there is a ban on fishing.

How much is basic fishing equipment?

Basic fishing equipment is around $100-$200 for rod/reel combination, bait, tackle box, and so on. A larger boat will cost you between $500-$1000.

What should I wear when fishing?

Wear clothes that are waterproof. It's a good idea to have gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Consider adding insect repellent.

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 there is no expiration date on the fish, it is probably safe to eat. But, don't eat the fish if it smells or looks old.

How deep should my line go?

Cast your line as deep as possible. Make sure your arm is straight while casting a long line.

How do you clean a squid?

There are many ways to clean a salmon. The easiest way to clean a fish is to remove its head and guts. Wash the fish well with cold water. The fish can also be gutted by you. This involves removing the intestines as well as cleaning the inside cavity. Finally, you can ask someone else to help you clean the fish.

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)
You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.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)
It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)