I started trolling for Spanish Mackerel last week after struggling to get a bite during a Spanish Mackerel frenzy.
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Sweet and Simple Spanish Mackerel Recipe
Similar to bluefish, Spanish mackerel have oily meat and are delicious when fresh but not nearly as appetizing when frozen. Therefore, it is best to prepare them for eating a day or two after catching them. Also be sure to ice them down thoroughly and immediately.
Make your own home-brewed Saba if you like sushi and are feeling daring.
Capt. I observed the early joggers and dog walkers strolling the boardwalk as Jennings drove along the beach. Within a quarter-mile of the surf line, especially in the early morning and late at night, we frequently catch Spanish. We made a circle past the inlet’s mouth, where a number of other boats had begun their day. Spanish is also held by temperature breaks, current lines, live bottom, and bait schools.
Capt. Jim Klopfer, who charters near Sarasota, Florida, considers Spanish mackerel an unsung hero of nearshore fishing. He targets them with light spinning or fly-fishing tackle. “They’re aggressive, fight hard and are one of the fastest fish in the sea,” he says. The green, silver and gold speedsters also taste great when prepared fresh.
On the east coast of Florida, social-media celebrity Darcie, known by her nickname Darcizzle, fishes for a variety of species off Miami. When she’s targeting Spanish, Darcie starts the day with a stop by the tackle shop.
Owens makes an effort to avoid feeding fish as much as possible. Longer casts are required because of that, allowing the lure to stay in the water for longer. The majority of the time, he observes, anglers drive their boats through schools. Once the fish spook, the school might not reform.
Owens has spent his entire life fishing for macks and has witnessed numerous anglers use light tackle improperly. “You can’t work the lure too fast,” he says. Owens suggests cranking the reel hard and keeping the rod tip close to the water to increase hookups.
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FAQ
What do you use to troll for Spanish mackerel?
Spanish Mackerel Fishing Equipment A Sea Striker or Drone number-one or number-two planer should be clipped via swivel onto the main line, followed by the attachment of a 15 to 20-foot 30-pound leader via a ball-bearing swivel. The ball-bearing swivel is crucial because you’ll attach a spoon to this leader’s far end.
How do you set up a trolling rig for Spanish mackerel?
Trolling is a traditional technique for catching Spanish mackerel from boats. 1 and No. Utilizing trolling weights in sizes ranging from one to three ounces and No. 00 Clark spoons at various depths from the surface to five or six feet deep 1 planers.
What depth do you troll for Spanish mackerel?
I would suggest a trolling speed of 4-6 knots, but if you are seeing fish on your sounder but not getting strikes, you can get great results by speeding up to 8 knots.
