I had very limited success using the standard lures when I was fishing for spanish mackerel in Florida. Although I found them to be more effective than the usual lures, I still couldn't catch any of the fish I was after using them. I also tried spoons and inlets but they didn't work. Instead, I opted for small jigs with a worm attached.
Spoons
Spoons are a great tool for catching Spanish Mackerel. These spoons are very 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 also great for catching kingfish, which can weigh more than thirty pounds. Here are some tips about how to use spoons Florida.
Choose a spoon with a stocky, long body. Spoons that are long and thin can attract Spanish bass. For bright sunlight, they should shine and be 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 in the Florida coast is a great way of catching Spanish mackerel. They are an excellent and tasty fish, thanks to their speed swimming. You'll find plenty of action around St. Augustine as well as Matanzas. These fish are also 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. A small spoon should be tied to the planer's front and a 30 pound leader should be attached. A swivel behind your diving planer is required to prevent the line from getting tangled. A spoon umbrella rig is another option. Trolling is best done at seven miles an hours. If you exceed this speed, your catch rate will be low.
Hard-Baits
You can use artificial or live baits to catch Spanish mackerel. 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 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 are very effective in locating Spanish mackerel, both in the Atlantic or Gulf. Another option is to use a spoon, or a hard bait. Flat-bottomed baits can cover more water, increasing your chances of hooking 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 is very fond of Get-Cha lures. These lures come with built-in rattles, which attract Spanish mackerel. They can be reeled quickly. Other baits such as MirrOdines and Rat-L-Traps are also very effective.
You should be ready for some competition when you're fishing for Spanish mackerel. Prepare for a fight. Learn from experts such as Daniel Flinn. By visiting local marinas or reading fishing reports, you can find out the location of Spanish mackerel. Be sure to allow space for other boats. Daniel Flinn is an insider who also recommends using his bobber.
Jigs
It is crucial to choose the right jig to catch Spanish. This fish has a thin and slim body that makes them easy to handle. If you are tying your hook, make sure to use a long shank hook. For the best results, you can use trebles hooks with long leaders. You can also use live shrimp as a bait if you prefer.
Spanish mackerel fishermen have a main concern about the taste. Many anglers don’t like eating them so you might want to cook the fish as soon as 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.
Although jigs can work well for Spanish mackerel fishing, live bait is the best. Capt Jim's favorite bait, according to him, is the Rapala X-Rap Slashbait. This bait mimics a small baitfish. 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 report catching redfish, sheepshead, redfish and black drum while fishing for Spanish Mackerel. To catch Spanish mackerel, anglers will use spoons or jigs. Meanwhile, live shrimp are eating on the north shore. You can also find live shrimp in the evening.
Spanish fish anglers have the best chance of success if they aim for schools within close proximity to inlets and reefs. They should use long lines that troll along the edge of a school, as running through or across a school of fish will cause the fish to dive, which will only lead to missed bites. For winter Spanish mackerel fishing, inlets are the best.
Spanish mackerel feed aggressively during the morning and evening. Spanish mackerel love silverside minnows. Inshore waters are rich with them. They can be a difficult catch, but you will be rewarded for your effort! Inlets, passes, and flats are some of the best places to find Spanish mackerel in Florida. Don't forget your fishing poles!
These aggressive acrobats love inlets and bridges that are found along the coast. These fish can be caught inshore or offshore by trolling a tube lure. One of the most effective lures is the Gotcha tube lure. You can fish it cast or trolled. 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 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. Look for churned-up water and active diving birds. Spanish mackerels can be found in schools.
Fort Lauderdale may be the place to go if your goal is to find great fishing spots. Capt. Capt. Visit their website for more information about where to fish. You can also listen live online by searching "Spanish Mackerel fishing South Florida" or "Small Inlets."
Another great place to find Spanish mackerel is along the shoreline near the Flagler Bridge. Anglers have other options. From the Boynton area to Flagler Bridge, you can catch flounder, jack crevalle and sandperch. Fishing with trolling and yellow spoons as well as yellow feathers has proved to be very effective.
Best times to surf fish for Spanish mackerel
Which is the best time for Spanish mackerel surf fishing? Mackerel migrate in spring and fall. When water temperatures hit 70 degrees, they should start to show up. They will stick around until water temperatures drop below 70 degrees. The NOAA website gives information about water temperatures for U.S. coastal areas. You can then use these water temperatures to determine when is the best time to fish.
If you want to surf fish for Spanish Mackerel, make sure there is clear water and calm seas. You want to catch these fish as soon as possible, so make sure you are at least two hours off the coast. Fish close to shore if murky water is your preference. In clear water, cast artificial lures with a heavy fluorocarbon leader. These aggressive fish require speed.
Experienced surf fishermen prefer to fish inshore waters in the Florida Panhandle during April. The fish are plentiful there and they are still eating heavily. 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. You can use jigs or tube lures to find red and whiting in surf. Spanish mackerel inshore tend to avoid bars.
FAQ
Is it possible for me to fish both at night and during the day?
Yes, but make sure to use artificial light. Fisherman use artificial lighting to attract them. Because fish become more active after darkness falls, artificial lights are very effective when the sun goes down.
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.
What happens if I lose a fish while fishing?
You will lose fish sometimes. Sometimes you might catch a fish but then lose it. If this happens, keep trying. You will eventually catch another fishing fish.
Which bait is best for freshwater fishing?
The best bait for freshwater fishing is live shrimp. Shrimp are inexpensive, easy to catch, and taste great!
Are special licenses necessary to fish?
No, not unless you plan to take fish out of state or across county lines. Many states allow anglers to fish without any type of license. Check with your local Fish & Wildlife agency to see what is required.
To fish, do you need a rod?
Yes, you do! The bobber is used when the bait is being removed from the water. The bobber has two parts: the float and the line. When casting a lure, you attach the hook to the end of the line, then cast out the line and let go of the rod. A bobber is not necessary to cast a lure. The lure could sink into the waters, making it difficult for the fish bite.
Are there different types?
Yes, there are many kinds of lures. Some lures are specifically made for certain fish species. Others mimic insects, grasshoppers and frogs. You can find lures in many shapes and sizes. Some lures are even designed to look like real bugs.
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)
- Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
- It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
- You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
External Links
How To
Why would you want to use a spinning rod instead?
Spinning rods are used to cast your lure into water without having to leave the boat. It's a great choice if you don't want to lose too much time getting back into the boat after every cast. The spinning rod's purpose is to let you cast from any position and keep control of your line. The rod consists of three main components: the handle and the reel seat. You hold the rod with your fingers and grip the shaft. The rod's tip is attached to the hook at the butt section. The reel seat is where the line is attached to the reel. There are many options for rods. Some are designed to be used only for certain types of fishing, such as casting or trolling. Others are intended to be used for different purposes, such fly fishing or spin fishing, as well as bait fishing.
The type of fish that will be caught determines the type and size of the rod. A heavy-duty rod is best if you are targeting large predatory species such as pike or bass. A lighter-weight rod might work best if you were targeting smaller species like trout or salmon. You can even buy multiple rod sizes depending on the size of the fish you want to catch.
Spinning rods aren't just for freshwater fishing. They are also used frequently for saltwater fishing. Saltwater spinning reels are typically heavier than freshwater rods. This is because saltwater requires stronger materials to withstand saltwater. Saltwater spinners are more likely to use a longer length rod and have a wider diameter. This allows them cast farther distances. There are downsides to saltwater spinning rods. Saltwater spinning reels come without reels, which is a big difference from freshwater rods. You will need to purchase one on its own. The second reason is that they can be quite expensive. A spinning rod is an option if you like to catch bigger fish.
Spin fishing refers to angling where a spin fisherman uses a spinning reel to cast a weighted bait into the water. The lure spins around the center point of the weighted lure as it swims through the water. This causes the lure move erratically through the water, making fish difficult to spot. Fish may mistakenly consider the lure food and begin eating it. This will make the lure more attractive to fish. The lure will then attract more fish to the angler's reel. Once the lure has been retrieved, he can repeat this process until the desired number of fish has been caught.