fishing tackle

Spanish Mackerel Fishing Rods

By Ken Roberts 29/04/2022 7 mins read

Casting spoons and got-cha baits for Spanish mackerel fishing is easy if you know a few basics. Bucktails, for example, come in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from 1/16 ounce to a half-ounce. You can adjust the size and shape of the bucktails according to the baitfish that you are pursuing.

Casting spoons

When choosing a rig, Spanish bass are a prime candidate. Casting spoons should have a large, flat body with no cupping, and a short overall length. Spanish bass feed on small baitfish. Shiny finishes are best for bright sunlight, while matte finishes work well for cloudy day. A single hook is all you need to set up your Spanish bass fishing rod. Use a single hook on a split ring. This will reduce the chance of missing strikes or a hiccup.

A metal casting spoon can catch a variety fish but the primary ones to target are Spanish mackerel or Bluefish. Generally, these species are attracted to lures with a fast retrieve. Fish will love a jigging spoon's fluttering action. If you're fishing on a river or lake, you can also try a jigging spoon.

Spanish mackerel can't eat hard food and prefer light lures. Casting spoons made of light wire will help prevent the lures from coming apart during a fight. Spanish mackerel can still be hooked despite being small. The light wire will protect you from the razor-sharp teeth. The smaller your bait, the better the casting.

Got-Cha lures

A classic Got-Cha lure can be used to catch Spanish mackerel schools. This treble-hook bait is fast sinking at the end and can be easily retrieved. You can make a deadly darting underwater action by jerking your rod tip. Spanish fish can't resist this action. Be sure to let the lure sink to the bottom before jigging it. To increase your chances at hooking a Spanish mackerel, aim to probe the whole water column with the lure.

You need to use Got-Cha lures in Spanish makerel fishing rigs. The risk of losing a lot is high if the leader is too long. If you use a medium-length leader, you may have trouble attracting a lot of Spanish mackerel. If you are fishing in a river or stream, you should fish with a shorter leader.

A diamond jig is the secret weapon of many charter boat captains. Lightweight, these jigs are incredibly effective when Spanish mackerel are feeding on glass minnows in clear water. The jigs are flashy enough to give them the incentive to strike. Diamond jigs should be trod but larger ones are best for vertical jigging.

Monofilament line

Although braided lines can be used on Spanish mackerel fishing rods, many anglers prefer monofilament line. Monofilament lines have a stretch that stops the hook pulling against the fish's teeth. Because these fish live in open water, they are not likely to bite a 20-pound leader. The type of Spanish Mackerel you wish to catch is key in choosing a leader.

Monofilament is more expensive than fluorocarbon, but it offers many advantages over mono. For baits and live trap angling, fluorocarbon line is better because it is undetectably submerged. Mono is less likely to snap or fray when the fish bites, and it holds knots well. Mono is cheaper and more flexible than fluoro.

Spanish mackerel can often be caught using live bait. Generally, you can use baitfish or shrimp, but a live sardine is the most effective. Spanish mackerel will prefer live bait that is flashy and quick-moving. Trolling spoons are designed to be troled at high speeds over a large area. Trolling is the best option when Spanish mackerel don't work on the surface.

Braided line

Choosing the right leader is crucial for catching more bites and landing more fish. When you're targeting Spanish, any mistake you make will be magnified. A light graphite rod of eight to ten feet in length is best because it's not too heavy and can reach Spanish schools. It's possible to cast longer distances using heavier wire but this is not necessary.

Spanish mackerel can be found in the vicinity so a gotcha is an essential lure. This lure sinks quickly at the end of the cast, and jerking the tip causes a deadly darting action under the water. The lure is so deadly that Spanish fish will not hesitate to attack it. Once you have retrieved the lure from water, place it in the bottom of the pool and check for any fish.

A 8 to 9-pound fly rod is necessary for Florida fishing. It should have a strong drag system. For fishing on the surface, a floating line will work best. A sinker or intermediate sinker will work well in deeper flats. A wire leader will interfere with the fish's vision. Monofilament leads are great for surface fishing but Spanish mackerel will grab a wire leader.

Speck rigs

There are many ways you can use Speck rigs to catch Spanish makers. You can catch some amazing Spanish regardless of whether you are a novice fisherman or a veteran. Pete recommends trolling the lure behind your boat. The lure should be trolled further behind the boat than the length of the line. This will ensure that the bait does not get disturbed by the motor. Another option is to use a free-spool small menhaden (known as peanut bunker, or pogy).

You can fish speck rigs from the beach or a pier. For the best results, cast quarters at 45 degrees to maximize the rig's potential. You can fish from the pier with the "Water Walker", which replaces your in-line sinker by a weighted popping core. The rig flips and allows fish imitations of baitfish. Love Lures Speck Rig, another popular Speck rig, is also available. It comprises two jigs that are attached to dropper loops. A fluorocarbon leader is 20-30 pounds.

Trolling around structures is one way to catch these fish. Kingfish can be found at the shore and near buoys. The best baits are small menhaden (or alewives), live shrimp, and alewives. A speck rig containing fresh or live shrimp is a good option for targeting them close to structure. Although trolls are most commonly used to catch Spanish mackerel in the wild, there are other options.

Drifting

The tricks of the trade are necessary to begin drifting in search for Spanish mackerel. A leader measuring 30 feet is required to begin. Although you can hand line it to the boat, it is important to be aware of where strikes are coming. When you are making 90-degree turns, you will notice the speed of your lures change. The speed of the lines going inside the turn will decrease, and the speed of those going outside the turn will increase. Match the speeds of your lines that are catching more fish.

Drifting baits are either made of live or artificial bait. You have many options. Split shot is also useful for drifting. A long-shanked hook is needed to reduce the possibility of cutoffs. It will work well with a 1/0 hook. Using a 1/0 hook will allow you to cover a large area. Drifting in offshore and onshore waters is an efficient technique.

Artificial reefs are another option to attract Spanish mackerel. These fish can often be found at the bottom of the Bay, near tunnel tubes. Use baited or cut bait when fishing from a dock. Drifting live bait is the best technique for fishing these species. You can also fish the Virginia coast during summer. If the current is running hard, the fish will most likely be aggressive and attack metal spoons.

Live bait

If you're planning to use live bait to catch Spanish mackerel, you'll want to make sure to create the proper rig. Spanish mackerel fisherman rigs work in the same way as king mackerel. Instead of using one hook, two smaller bucktails will be used and a single No. 6 treble hook. These bucktails are either small or large, depending on the size of your baitfish.

You can either use live bait, such as shrimps or small silvery fish. If you like, you can throw it into a school to break fish or let it drift across an open ocean. You can also use chumming to catch a strike, whether you are fishing offshore or inshore. Live bait is generally the best method to catch Spanish mackerel. These fish are also easy to clean and can be found at your local bait shop.

You can also use artificial or live bait when you drift for Spanish mackerel. Drifting is a good way to catch Spanish mackerel. You can use live shrimp and bait fish, or split shot. A long-shanked hook is the best for this type fish. It reduces cutoffs. For all-purpose use, the 1/0 size is a great choice.

FAQ

How do you clean a squid?

There are many options for cleaning fish. One way is to take out the head and guts. After that, rinse the fish with cold running water. Another option is to gut your fish. This involves removing the intestines as well as cleaning the inside cavity. Finally, you can ask someone else to help you clean the fish.

What is your favorite bait for freshwater-fishing?

Freshwater fishing requires live shrimp as the best bait. Shrimp are great for freshwater fishing because they are cheap and easy to catch.

Where can I buy my fishing supplies?

You can purchase all of these items at most sporting goods stores. You can also shop online if you need something in particular. Many websites offer everything you need, from tackle boxes and lures to rods or reels.

How do I bait my hooks with bait?

Tie a piece meat on the hook to bait it. You can then tie the meat around one eye of your hook.

What are the different types of lures you can use?

Yes, there are several different types of lures available. Some lures are made specifically for specific species of fish. Others are made to imitate insects, worms, frogs, crayfish, grasshoppers, etc. Lures come in many sizes and shapes. Some lures can even be shaped like real insects.

Statistics

You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
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)
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)