Capt. Jim’s top six Spanish mackerel fishing lures are listed in this article. Capt Jim has been running Sarasota fishing charters since 1991. He thinks Spanish mackerel are an underappreciated game fish and enjoys pursuing them. They are attractive, fierce fighters who attack lures and flies with reckless abandon, and when freshly prepared, they make excellent table fare. The Atlantic and Gulf coasts are covered in Spanish mackerel.
By clicking the title link, anglers can pay $5 to purchase Capt. Jim’s e-book, “Inshore Saltwater Fishing.” It has 23,000 words and discusses species, tackle, and tactics.
Spanish—What are They?
Spanish mackerel are one of the most well-liked summertime game fish, despite not being the largest fish in the Gulf (a large one will weigh five to six pounds). They are long and slender, with dark green backs covered in an abundance of golden spots that contrast with their silver sides. Additionally, they have a mouthful of teeth that razors would be embarrassed by.
Spanish mackerel fish are prized for their speed rather than just their good looks, which makes them a popular target. When a Spanish takes an angler’s offering, that initial run is impressively swift, and it’s exciting to hear the reel screech and experience the speed of the fish as they attempt to flee.
Spanish mackerel fish are eager strikers on any fishing lure that even slightly resembles their prey when they are actively feeding. Spanish trout are almost always caught by anglers who have long casts and swift retrieves.
Spanish mackerel are schooling fish, which is another major benefit of catching them. When one is caught, others will follow in short order. Anglers have the ability to quickly fill an ice chest with Spanish.
Anglers must take care to distinguish between immature king mackerel and Spanish mackerel. Kings resemble Spanish people a lot when they are young, right down to the spots on their sides. The issue with this confusion for anglers is that maintaining an immature, undersized king mackerel can be costly.
If an angler’s “Spanish” turns out to be a young king mackerel when being checked by law enforcement, they could get into trouble. King mackerel have very strict size requirements. The dark lateral line that extends from the gills to the tail is the best feature to use to distinguish between the two. This line tends to be fairly straight with no dips when speaking Spanish. For kings, this line dips down sharply along the fish’s side at some point.
Additionally, take a look at the mackerel in question’s dorsal fin. The fish is a Spanish if that top fin is dark and solid black. Let it go if the dorsal fin is lighter grey because that indicates it’s probably a small kingfish.
When Spanish mackerel are brought in, they have a specific way of shaking their heads and bodies, which frequently throws lures or snags an unaware angler’s hand with the lure’s hooks. This is another special consideration for Spanish mackerel anglers. More than any other fish, lures in the mouths of Spanish have hooked me. Prior to attempting to remove hooks, anglers should wait for them to calm down for a few seconds.
The Best Leader For Spanish & King Mackerel
Capt. Here, Hubbard spent the majority of his time discussing terminal tackle, which is crucial for mackerel for two reasons:
He typically uses 15-20 lb braid for his main line, but the leader is much more variable.
Is he targeting Spanish mackerel or kings?
Because of their great eyesight, Capt. Hubbard prefers to use the lightest leader possible.
The only thing worse than getting broken off by a mackerel is never hooking into one because without bites, you can’t catch any fish.
For Spanish mackerel, he typically uses a fluorocarbon leader weighing 30 to 40 pounds, though he may switch to a heavier leader if kingfish are present.
If he’s targeting kings, he normally uses #3 wire leader.
However, if he isn’t getting any bites but is aware of nearby hungry kings, he might forego using a wire leader and instead use a fluorocarbon leader to entice them to bite.
A useful tip for using fluorocarbon is that fish can see abrasions or knicks in the line if you can.
If you do have cuts or scrapes, make sure to switch your leader.
He does suggest using 3x or 4x strong hooks when pursuing large kingfish.
Watch the video below to learn how to tie the ideal knot when using a wire leader.
Using trolling sinkers to catch Spanish mackerel
The torpedo-shaped trolling sinkers are the most popular, and they come in a variety of different designs. Additionally, they come in a variety of weights, enabling the angler to adjust to the fishing conditions at different depths. Simply tie the trolling sinker to the end of the running line. Next, a 10 to 20 foot long leader is used to connect a spoon and a trolling sinker.
When using trolling sinkers, light conventional tackle and spinning gear are both acceptable. When fishing for average-sized Spanish mackerel with lighter sinkers, the same inshore spinning gear will be effective. When using heavier weights for larger Spanish mackerel or when king mackerel are present, light conventional tackle is a better option.
The trolling sinker is lowered into the water after the spoon is thrown out while the boat is in gear and moving at idle speed. Line is then let out behind the boat. Starting by counting out 10 or 15 seconds is a good idea. Then, as the boat is being driven around looking for fish, the rod is placed in a rod holder.
When a strike occurs, it is obvious because the rod tip will begin to throb and the reel will begin to scream with a larger fish drag. The fish is then played back to the boat. The angler cannot reel in further once the trolling sinker reaches the rod tip. The remainder of the line must be hand-tied around the fish. You can also use plugs and other lures in front of trolling sinkers.
FAQ
Do you need a wire leader for Spanish mackerel?
Due to the Spanish mackerel’s keen vision, a fluorocarbon leader is a crucial component of the tackle. I use a uni-to-uni knot to secure a length of 3 to 4 feet of 15-pound test to the main line. The long leader comes in handy when fishing around jetties.
What weight should I use for mackerel fishing?
Setup for mackerel fishing You only need basic tools to catch mackerel. a rod and reel that can cast 3 to 4 oz weights and feathers, 20 lb line, and Or else, a light weight spinning setup.
How long should Spanish mackerel leader be?
A strong leader is one rigging element that is essential for Spanish. 12-pound monofilament line will be quickly severed in two pieces if Spanish mackerel fish teeth contact it. Some anglers favor a short, light metal leader—eight inches—to connect the lure or bait to their line.
How much line do you let out when trolling for Spanish mackerel?
The same rig is used, consisting of a 8/0 circle hook and a 3 metre 80lb mono wind on with 80-100cm of 80lb single strand wire. Making sure the bait fish swims as naturally as possible, insert the circle hook through its nose and troll at about two knots, releasing about 70 to 80 meters of line.
