Fishing Lures

Spanish Mackerel Fishing Florida

By Trey Gordon 16 April, 2023 6 mins read

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

Spoons

Spoons are an excellent tool to catch Spanish Mackerel. These spoons are very effective in 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.

When choosing a spoon, choose one that has a long, stocky body and is not too long. Spanish bass will be attracted to spoons with long and thin bodies. For bright sunlight, they should shine and be matte for cloudy days. You can fish in the twilight with a single hook that is rigged on split rings. 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. Good action can be found around St. Augustine or Matanzas. These fish are often caught by beach fishermen. Cast spoons are more effective at attracting fish. For bottom feeders, use dead bait instead. Use a weedless pvc bait if you want to catch more.

Trolling can also be used 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. A swivel behind your diving planer is required to prevent the line from getting tangled. You can also use a spoon umbrella to rig. Trolling at speeds of seven miles an hour is a good idea, since this can lead to a lower catch rate.

Hard-Baits

For Spanish mackerel drifting, anglers can use live and artificial baits. Bait fish and live shrimp are effective drift baits and are often chummed in the water. To reduce cutoffs, it is best to use a large-sized hook. 1/0 is the best size to use for casting to reefs. Florida waters are a great place to fish for Spanish mackerel. Make sure you make the most of it!

Spanish mackerel love spoons and flies that imitate their prey. These baits can be used in both the Atlantic and Gulf to find Spanish mackerel. 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.

For Spanish mackerel, you can use Spoons or Got-Cha lures. They are strong and can catch fish from all depths of water. Get-Cha lures are a popular choice in Florida. 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.

Be prepared to compete with other fishermen while you fish for Spanish mackerel. You should be ready for battles and fights! Daniel Flinn is an expert. By visiting local marinas or reading fishing reports, you can find out the location of Spanish mackerel. Make sure to allow room for other boats. Daniel Flinn, an insider member, recommends using abobber.

Jigs

The first step to catching big Spanish fish is choosing the right jig. This fish has a thin and slim body that makes them easy to handle. A long shank hook is best for tying a hook. You can also use treble hooks with a long leader for best results. You can also use live shrimp as a bait if you prefer.

One of the main concerns for Spanish mackerel fishermen is the taste. You may not like the taste, so it's a good idea to prepare the fish for cooking right after you catch them. Spanish mackerel can be a bit finicky so it is best to prepare them as soon as you catch them. It is recommended that you cook the fish within 24hrs after catching it.

Although jigs can work well for Spanish mackerel fishing, live bait is the best. Capt Jim likes the Rapala X-Rap Slashbait. He says it is a great imitation of small bait fish. Olive and white are his favorites. Consider a color that resembles the local forage.

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. 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 an option.

Anglers targeting Spanish fish will have the best luck if they target schools of these fish near inlets and reefs. 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. Inlets are ideal for winter Spanish mackerel fishing.

Spanish mackerel are aggressive feeders in the early morning and later afternoon. Spanish mackerel are attracted to silverside minnows in the inshore waters. These minnows can be difficult to catch but they are worth it! The best places to spot Spanish mackerel are in Florida's passes, flats, and inlets. Remember to bring your fishing rods!

These aggressive acrobats can be found inlets and bridges, which are located along the coast. 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. You can cast it or troll it. You might also consider fishing from piers and causeways.

Inlets in South Florida

For fishing south Florida's coast waters, inlets for Spanish Mackerel fishing can be a great option. Mackerel tend to feed near the surface, so this makes them a prime target for anglers. If the water is very shallow, you can troll your lure and live bait in the inlet. Look for churned-up water and active diving birds. Spanish mackerel can be spotted in schools.

Fort Lauderdale may be the place to go if your goal is to find great fishing spots. Capt. The weekly fishing report of Norm Bekoff on Fox Sports 940 Miami can be viewed online and also broadcast live on Nautical Ventures Facebook page. You can find more information at their website about where to fish. You can also access the live broadcast online by searching for the words "Spanish Mackerel fishing South Florida” or "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.

Surf fishing for Spanish mackerel is best done at night

When is the best time to surf fish for Spanish mackerel? Mackerel migrate from spring to fall. They will start showing up when the water temperature reaches 70 degrees. They will not leave the area until it drops to 70 degrees. The NOAA website gives information about water temperatures for U.S. coastal areas. To determine the best time to fish, you can use water temperatures.

Choose calm water and clear waters when surfing for Spanish mackerel. Fish at least two hours offshore to maximize your chances of catching these fish. Fish close to shore if murky water is your preference. Cast artificial lures using heavy fluorocarbon leaders in clear waters. These fish are aggressive and will not slow down if you keep them moving.

Most experienced surf fishermen prefer to fish in the inshore waters of the Florida Panhandle in April. There, the fish are still plentiful and feeding heavily. The March rains have ended, which has made it easier for the fish to find water. During this time, the waters are warm enough to support a few pompano. 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

Where can you fish the most?

You can fish near rivers, lakes, streams and other freshwater bodies. These areas provide plenty of food for the fish.

What size should my tackle box be

You will need ample storage space for all your fishing gear so a large tacklebox is important. The size of tackle boxes will vary depending on how many items are stored inside.

How much is basic fishing equipment?

Basic fishing equipment starts at $100-$200, including rod/reel and bait combos, as well as tackle boxes and bait. If you want to go out on a bigger boat, then you'll need to spend between $500-$1000 dollars.

How much time does it take to catch a fish?

It depends on how big the fish is and what level of skill the fisherman has. Landing a fish can take anywhere from one to an hour. The longer you wait, the better chance you have of catching a big fish.

Can I get my kids interested in fishing?

Absolutely! Absolutely! Fishing is something that kids love to do. Children who learn to fish are likely to never stop. Encourage your child to learn how to fish. For example, you could teach them how to tie knots, build a fishing pole, and learn about fishing etiquette. It is possible to show them pictures of fish and tell stories about fishing.

Statistics

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)
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)