The most productive lures for anglers Spanish mackerel fishing have two characteristics; a fast erratic action as well as some flash. Silver spoons, Gotcha lures, diamond jigs, plugs, and jigs are all top artificial lures. All of these baits imitate wounded bait fish, which is the primary forage of Spanish mackerel.
What lures to catch mackerel with?
A small shiny lure such as a spoon, spinner or baitfish imitation, and float fishing with small strips of bait, are successful mackerel tactics. But a string of feathers or small lures beats all methods.
What color attracts Spanish mackerel?
Using Gotcha Lures For Spanish Mackerel
Chartreuse and white or red and chrome are 2 great choices.
What size hook is best for Spanish mackerel?
A 2/0 or 3/0 circular hook is roughly the size of the hook I will use for Spanish mackerel, depending on the size of the fish. The largest Spanish mackerel you will catch will be 30 inches long, and the majority of the ones you will capture will be 18 to 24 inches long.
How do you target Spanish mackerel?
How to Target Spanish Mackerel
- Try using a small gold spoon.
- Watch for those gray-hounding fish.
- Use as fast a retrieve as you can, and if you’re trolling, bump the speed up to eight or even nine knots.
- Use weight or a planer to get a lure down beneath the surface.
- Watch for birds.
What is the best time to catch Spanish mackerel?
February is a prime time for catching Spanish mackerel since a ban on gill netting in 1995.
What month is best for mackerel fishing?
May-June is the best time to catch mackerel, although they are caught all summer in numbers and larger specimens are sometimes caught in winter.
How much line do you let out when trolling for Spanish mackerel?
A typical trolling spread for Spanish mackerel is 4 or 5 lines with most below the surface and one on the surface. Some fishermen use all planers or all trolling sinkers, but I like to begin with a mixture of them.
How fast do you troll for Spanish mackerel?
between five and seven knots
Trolling speed for Spanish mackerel is between five and seven knots. At this speed the 15-pound leader is going to twist no matter how many ball bearing swivels you use. Having one in the mix will slow down the inevitable, but it won’t stop the twisting.
What tide is best for Spanish mackerel?
An early spring high tide is the greatest time to go mackerel fishing. These are the tides that occur when the difference between high and low water is at its highest, and the flow of water is at its greatest intensity. When the tides are high, bait fish are pushed closer to shore, and mackerel follow them in.
What do Spanish mackerel feed on?
Eating habits: Spanish mackerel feed on small fish, such as anchovies, sardines, threadfin herring and silversides, as well as shrimp and squid.
Where are the Spanish mackerel now?
Where They Live. Spanish mackerel is found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico.
What temperature do Spanish mackerel like?
FISHING FROM BOATS
Lloyd Eastlack, a former charter boat captain who now runs a tackle shop, said that he starts looking for Spanish mackerel to show up in the spring when the water temperature off the beach breaks through the 70-degree mark, with 72- to 73-degree water marking the best fishing.
What depth do you fish mackerel?
Mackerel generally remain at the same depth which is between 8ft to 20ft. They also generally stay quite close to cliffs and walls. If you’re fishing from a pier then you will probably only need to be casting out between 5 to 30 yards.
Do you put bait on a spoon lure?
Once you cast the spoon, your natural instinct will be to reel it in. Instead, let the bait drop down into the water. Once you think the spoon has sunk to the depth of the target fish, reel it back in. If you’re casting in new water and you don’t know where the bottom is, try experimenting with the depth.
What is a jigging spoon?
Jigging spoons are not search lures but are “location specific”. That is, you first locate the bass with your electronics, put your boat on top of them, then drop the spoon right into the middle of them. A jigging spoon is generally considered as “deep water” lures when it comes to fishing spoons for bass.
What are the best lures for surf fishing?
11 Best Surf Fishing Lures You Need to Try
- Diamond Jig.
- Bucktail Jig.
- Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon.
- Acme Kastmaster Bucktail Teaser.
- Swimbaits.
- MirrOlure Twitch Bait.
- Tsunami Popper.
- Lucky Craft Flash Minnow.
How deep do Spanish mackerel go?
10 to 40 feet
Spanish mackerel occur seasonally from the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico, as far north as Cape Cod, Massachusetts. They are a shallow water species, preferring sand bottom in depths of 10 to 40 feet (3 to 12 m), occasionally found as deep as 80 feet (24 m).
Do you need wire leader for Spanish mackerel?
Spanish mackerel aren’t huge, but they can tear through your line in a hurry. Leaders are a must because of their super sharp teeth. Some anglers prefer using wire leaders, especially when using very fast retrieves with artificial lures.
What depth do you troll for mackerel?
Most opt to troll at around 5-6Kts and run a selection of colours to see what is hot on a particular day.
Should you bleed Spanish mackerel?
If you want the cleanest, most delicious fillets possible, then you should bleed your fish. To do that, just cut through the artery between their gills and put them on ice.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.