Spanish Mackerel Fishing

Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus)

Description: Dark above with silvery sides. Many spots, which are both yellow and brown. The Spanish Mackerel body is proportionately deeper than the juvenile King Mackerel, and the yellow spots appear rounder and brighter, but if in dought the only true identifier is the lateral line, which tapers rather gently from front to back with no severe dips.

Size: Common at 1-3 pounds; not too unusual at 5-7 pounds; maximum potential over 10 pounds. world record 13 pounds; Florida record is 12 pounds.

Food Value: If you like rich, rather dark fillets, they are great boiled or skinned and fried. Good smoked also.

Game Qualities: Great on light tackle, very fast, has burst up to 35 knots.

Tackle & Baits: Spinning, bait casting and fly outfits. Spinning is often the number one choice because the retrieve is a lot faster. Best lures are small white nylon jigs that represent glass minnows and small spoons. Best baits are small silvery bait fish, live shrimp and drifted strips.

Fishing methods: Jigging fast, trolling.

How To Catch Spanish Mackerel

The Spanish Mackerel is a rocket shaped fish that can propel to speeds of up to 35mph. "If you want a drag screaming experience than definitely try and catch a few of these."  Your ideal tackle would be a light to medium action 6'6" to 7' rod, with a 2500 series spinning reel, spooled with 10 pound test line.  From the pier there are many different tactics you can use to land one of these feisty fish.  One of my favorite methods for Spanish Mackerel fishing is to free line small greenbacks or thread fins.  

The rig consists of a 2 1/2 foot thirty pound monofilament leader, a 2/0 long shank hook and then you are all set.  Just be sure you can tie a good Albright knot, so you can tie your leader directly to your main line.  The reason for this is Mackerel have very sharp teeth and they tend to bite anything that moves. Therefore, if you are using a barrel swivel, they will take your whole rig. Now, there are many ways to fish for Mackerel.  You can use all sorts of jigs and spoons, but just be sure to jig and reel fast because, again Mackerel like shiny, fast moving objects. Spanish Mackerel have exceptionally good eyesight, this another reason it is important to use shiny spoons, and try to avoid using wire leader, yes this might save you a few lures, but your catching will decrease dramatically. I recommend using Clark spoons or Alewive spoons, click here to purchase  Clark Spoons - Mackerel Spoons