When I was spanish mackerel fishing in Florida, I had limited success with the usual lures. Although they were more effective, I found 1 to 1.5-ounce metal lures to be a better option. However, they didn't catch the fish I was after. I also tried spoons and inlets but they didn't work. Instead, I opted for small jigs with a worm attached.
Spoons
Spoons can be used to catch Spanish Mackerel in Florida. They are highly effective in catching these fish. Spoons can be cast far and covered a lot of water. They are also great for catching kingfish, which can weigh more than thirty pounds. Here are some tips to use spoons in Florida.
Pick a spoon that is long and stocky. It should also not be too short. Spanish bass may be attracted by spoons with a long, thin body. They should be shiny for bright sunlight and matte for cloudy days. Use a single hook, rigged on a split-ring if you fish at twilight. You should not use a triple hook because it can cause missed strikes.
Casting spoons into the Florida coast has been a great method to catch Spanish mackerel. They are a tasty and enjoyable meal due to their fast swimming speed. You can find good action around St. Augustine and Matanzas. These fish are also caught by beach fishermen. Cast spoons tend to attract more fish. For bottom feeders, use dead bait instead. You can also use a weedless, plastic bait to catch more fish.
You can also try trolling to catch Spanish mackerel. To do this, tie a small spoon onto the planer and attach a 30 pound leader to it. A swivel behind your diving planer is required to prevent the line from getting tangled. A spoon umbrella rig is another option. You should not trot at seven miles per hour, as this can result in a poor catch rate.
Hard-Baits
Anglers can utilize live or artificial baits when drifting for Spanish mackerel. Bait fish and shrimp are good drift baits. For reducing cutoffs, a large hook is recommended. For casting to the reefs, a 1/0 hook is a good choice. Florida waters can provide great opportunities to fish for Spanish mackerel.
A spoon or flies that imitate the prey is the best lure for Spanish mackerel. These baits work well in the Atlantic as well as the Gulf for Spanish mackerel. You can also use a spoon to bait the fish. Flat-bottomed baits will cover more water, which increases the odds of hooking a Spanish mackerel.
For Spanish mackerel fishing, Spoons and Gotcha lures work well. They are strong and can catch fish from all depths of water. Florida is a favorite place to use Get-Cha lures. These lures feature built-in rattles to attract Spanish mackerel. Rat-L-Traps, MirrOdines, and other baits are also effective.
Be prepared to compete with other fishermen while you fish for Spanish mackerel. Prepare for battle and fight! Daniel Flinn, an expert on the subject, can give you some advice. You can find out where the Spanish mackerel are by checking out local marinas and fishing reports. Make sure to allow room for other boats. Daniel Flinn, an insider member, recommends using abobber.
Jigs
Choosing the right jig for catching Spanish is an important step in your quest for big catches. 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. Live shrimp is a great option if live bait is your preference.
Spanish mackerel fishermen are concerned about their taste. Although many anglers do not enjoy the taste of Spanish mackerel, it is worth considering cooking the fish the day after you catch it. Spanish mackerel can be a bit finicky so it is best to prepare them as soon as you catch them. However, it is recommended to cook the fish within 24 hours of catching it.
While jigs work well in Florida for Spanish mackerel fish fishing, they are not the best. Capt Jim's favorite bait is the Rapala X-Rap Slashbait, which he says is a great mimic of a small bait fish. For him, olive and white work best. Pick a color to mimic the local forage.
Inlets
Fort Pierce's Inlets have been producing good Spanish mackerel fishing action and other species. Fisherman are also reporting Snook, Redfish catches, Sheepshead, Black Drum, while fishing Spanish mackerel. To catch Spanish mackerel, anglers will use spoons or jigs. Meanwhile, live shrimp are eating on the north shore. Live shrimp can also be a good option in the evening.
Spanish fish are best targeted by anglers who target them near inlets or 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 during early morning and late afternoon. Silverside minnows are abundant in the waters offshore, which Spanish mackerel enjoy eating. While they can be difficult to catch, the reward is well worth it. The best places to spot Spanish mackerel are in Florida's passes, flats, and inlets. And don't forget to bring your fishing poles!
Located along the coast, inlets and bridges can be excellent places to catch these aggressive acrobats. This fish is prolific offshore and inshore, and can easily be caught by casting a tube-tailed lure. The Gotcha tube is one of our favorite lures. It can be fished cast or trolled. It is also possible to fish off piers or causeways.
Inlets in South Florida
Fishing south Florida's beaches is easy with the Spanish Mackerel Inlets. Mackerel tend to feed near the surface, so this makes them a prime target for anglers. When the water is shallow, troll your lure or live bait in the inlet. Be on the lookout for active divers and churned up water. If you spot a school, you've found a Spanish mackerel.
Fort Lauderdale is a great place to fish if you're looking for the best fishing spot. 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. Visit their website for more information about where to fish. You can also watch the show online by searching for "Spanish Mackerel Fishing in South Florida" as well as "Small Inlets."
Another great place to find Spanish mackerel is along the shoreline near the Flagler Bridge. Anglers can also fish for other species along the Intracoastal Waterway. Flounder, jack crevalle, and sand perch are all commonly caught from the Boynton area to the Flagler Bridge. Fishing with trolling spoons or yellow feathers has proven to be effective.
Surf fishing for Spanish mackerel is best done at night
What's the best time to surffish for Spanish mackerel at sea? Mackerel migrate between spring and autumn. They will start showing up when the water temperature reaches 70 degrees. They will remain until water temperatures fall below 70 degrees. The NOAA website gives information about water temperatures for U.S. coastal areas. Then, you can use the water temperatures to determine the best times to fish for them.
Choose calm water and clear waters when surfing for Spanish mackerel. To maximize your chances of catching these fish, you should fish at least two hours offshore. Fish close to shore if murky water is your preference. Cast artificial lures with heavy fluorocarbon leaders into clear water. These aggressive fish will require you to maintain a high speed.
The Florida Panhandle's inshore waters are where most experienced surf fishermen prefer fishing in April. There are plenty of fish and they are eating well. 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. Inshore Spanish mackerel tend to run outside of bars.
FAQ
What happens to me if I'm caught fishing illegally?
You could face fines or jail time as well as losing your fishing permit. It's important to know the rules before you go fishing.
What should I wear to fish?
Protect your skin from the elements with clothes. There are many options for protecting yourself: gloves, sunglasses sunscreen, gloves and a head hat. You should also bring insect repellent.
How often do I need to change my lures
You should change your lures every few days. After being exposed to the sun for too long, lures lose their effectiveness.
Is it safe?
No matter where your fish is purchased, make sure you ask the seller whether they have an expiration date. If the fish has no expiration date, then it's probably safe to eat. But if the fish looks old or smells bad, then you shouldn't eat it.
Statistics
- 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)
- About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
- 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)
External Links
How To
How to Fish in Freshwater
Freshwater fishing means catching fish from freshwater streams, lakes and rivers. Bass, catfish, crappie and trout are the most commonly caught fish. These fish can be caught using a variety of methods. Some popular methods include casting, trolling, jigging, spinnerbaits, flyfishing, baitcasting, and ice fishing.
Finding the right location to catch fish is an important step. This means that you should choose a location near the water source. Next, decide the type of equipment you wish to use.
Live bait should look like food to fish, so that they will eat it. Live bait includes worms, minnows, crickets, frogs, leeches, bloodworms, grasshoppers, and other small insects.
Artificial lures can be used. These baits are made of plastic, wood feathers rubber metal foam and other materials. Artificial lures come as many styles and sizes. Artificial lures are designed to mimic natural prey animals such as minnows or crawfish, shiners or grubs, as well other aquatic animals. Lures are popular because they require little skill to throw them in the water. Once they have hit their target, lures are simple to set up and retrieve.
Casting is a great way to learn if you don't want to use live bait, or just want to experiment with new techniques. Casting is one the most straightforward ways to catch fish. It requires very little effort and no special skills.
All you need are a rod and reel, line, sinker, floatant and hooks. Casting with a simple pole is easy. To cast, simply raise the rod vertically from the water surface. Then you slowly lower the tip of the rod until it touches the water. As soon as it does this the line starts to unwind from the reel. You can let go of your rod when the line reaches its full length and the lure will fall into the water.
Trolling is another method for catching fish. Trolling is the use of a boat to transport a lure across the water.
Fishing can be fun and rewarding. There are many options for fishing. Each has its pros and cons. While some methods are more straightforward than others, they all require practice and patience.