Ocean Fishing

Spanish Mackerel Fishing Rigs

By Bill Rollins 8 February, 2023 7 mins read

Casting spoons and got-cha baits for Spanish mackerel fishing is easy if you know a few basics. There are many sizes for bucktails. You can adjust bucktail size to match the size you are after.

Casting spoons

Spanish bass are the best choice when it comes to choosing a rod. Casting spoons should be flat and have no cupping. They also need to be short in length. Spanish bass are attracted to small baitfish. Therefore, casting spoons should have a flat body with no cupping and a short overall length. Your Spanish bass fishing rig should be rigged with one hook and a split-ring. Avoid using a triple hook as it will increase your chances of missing strikes and cause a hiccup.

Although a metal spoon is capable of catching a wide variety of fishes, the main species to be targeted are Bluefish and Spanish mackerel. These species prefer lures that can be quickly retrieved. A jigging spool will produce a fluttering action which fish enjoy. You can also use a jigging stick to fish in rivers or lakes.

Spanish mackerel have weak teeth so they are attracted by light lures. Casting spoons with a lightweight wire will prevent the lures breaking during a fight. Spanish mackerel are small and can be hooked with a treblehook. Your hand will be protected from the sharp teeth of the light wire. Your cast will be more effective if you have a smaller bait.

Got-Cha lures

The classic Got-Cha lure makes a great choice if you want to catch Spanish mackerel schools. This treble-hook bait sinks fast at the end of the cast and can be retrieved quickly. You can make a deadly darting underwater action by jerking your rod tip. Spanish fish love the action. Before jigging, make sure the lure sinks to bottom. You will increase your chances to hook a Spanish mackerel if you probe the whole water column.

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. A shorter leader is better if you fish in streams or rivers.

Charter boat captains know the value of a diamond jig. These jigs are lightweight and extremely useful when Spanish mackerel eat glass minnows in transparent water. They have enough incentive to strike because of their flashy jigs. Diamond jigs tend to be trolled. However, larger versions can be used vertically jigging over structures.

Monofilament line

While you can use braided line on your Spanish mackerel fishing rigs, monofilament line is preferred by many anglers. 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. Fluorocarbon line works better with baits and live trap angling because it can be hidden from the eye. Mono is less likely to snap or fray when the fish bites, and it holds knots well. But mono is much more forgiving than fluoro and is cheaper.

Live bait is an effective way to catch Spanish mackerel. There are two options for baitfish and shrimp, but a live shark is better. Live bait will be more appealing to Spanish mackerel if it's flashy and fast-moving. Trolling spoons can cover large areas and are intended to be trolled at high speed. When Spanish mackerel aren't working on the surface, trolling is ideal.

Braided line

Choosing the right leader is crucial for catching more bites and landing more fish. Any mistake made when targeting Spanish will only make matters worse. 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.

When Spanish mackerel are around, a gotcha lure is essential. This lure sinks rapidly at the end of the cast and jerking it causes deadly darting under the water. The lure's action is so fatal that Spanish fish will be forced to attack it. Once you've retrieved your lure from the water, let it drop to the bottom and test the entire water column to find a fish.

A fly rod of 8-9 lb weight with a good drag system is required for Florida fishing. A floating line will be most effective for fishing at the surface. An intermediate sinker is better for deeper flats. A wire leader can interfere with fish's vision. Monofilament leaders work well for surface fishing. However, Spanish mackerel can snag wire leaders.

Speck rigs

There are many different ways to use Speck rigs with Spanish makers. No matter your experience level, a speck-rig can help you catch some of the most powerful Spanish. Pete recommends that you trolling a speck lure far behind the 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 method is to use small menhaden as a free-spool, also called peanut bunker or pogy.

Speck rigs are fished from a beach or pier. Quarter casts of 45° or more are recommended to get maximum use of the speckrig. If you're fishing from the pier you can use the "Water Walker", a fishing rig that replaces the inline sinker and uses a weighted popping corn. It allows fish to imitate baitfish by flipping the rig. Love Lures Speck Rigs are another popular Speck rig. It includes two jigs with dropper loops, and a fluorocarbon leader weighing 20 or 30 pounds.

Trolling around structures is one of the best ways to catch these fish. Kingfish are often found close to beaches and buoys. You can use live shrimp, alewives or small menhaden as baits. When targeting them near structure, use a speck rig with live shrimp or fresh shrimp. While trolls are the most popular method for catching Spanish mackerel, other types of lures can be used.

Drifting

Knowing the basics of drifting for Spanish mackerel is essential. For your first drift, you will need a 30-foot leader. Although you can hand line it to the boat, it is important to be aware of where strikes are coming. You'll notice that your lures speed changes when you make 90-degree turn. The speed of the lines going inside the turn will decrease, and the speed of those going outside the turn will increase. Match the speed of the lines that are catching more fish.

Drifting baits that work are made with live and artificial baits. Live shrimp, bait fish, or a dead bait are all excellent choices. For drifting, split shot is also a good choice. To reduce the chance of cuttingoffs, you will need a long-shanked hooked hook. A 1/0 hook will work well. Using a 1/0 hook will allow you to cover a large area. Drifting can be used in both offshore and inshore waters.

Artificial reefs can also be used to attract Spanish mackerel. These fish can be found close to the bottom of the Bay at the tunnel tubes. For piers, you can use baited and cut bait. Drifting live bait is the best method to catch these species. In the summer, you can fish off the coast Virginia. If the current is strong, aggressive fish will likely attack metal spoons.

Live bait

The proper rig is essential if you intend to use live bait for Spanish mackerel fishing. The Spanish mackerel fishing gear is the same as the king mackerel rigs. Instead of using a single hook, you'll use two smaller bucktails and a single No. 6 treble hook. These bucktails are either small or large, depending on the size of your baitfish.

Live bait can be either a shrimp or a small silvery fish. If you like, you can throw it into a school to break fish or let it drift across an open ocean. To get a strike, you can also use chumming inshore and offshore. Spanish mackerel can be caught using live bait. These fish are easy to clean, too, and you can find them at your local bait shop.

When drifting for Spanish mackerel, you can use live or artificial bait. Drifting is best when using live shrimp or bait fish. Split shot can be used to attract more Spanish mackerel. A long-shanked hook is the best for this type fish. It reduces cutoffs. The 1/0 size hook is great for all-around use.

FAQ

Is it possible to fish during the day?

Yes, fishing is possible at all hours of the day. The only time you cannot fish is during times when there is a ban on fishing.

Where can I buy my fishing supplies?

All of the above items can be bought at most sporting equipment stores. However, if something is not listed, you can search online. Many websites offer everything you need, from tackle boxes and lures to rods or reels.

How long does it take to catch fish?

It depends on what size the fish are and how skilled the fisherman is. It can take anywhere between 30 seconds and 1 hour to catch a fish. The more time you wait to catch a big fish the greater your chances of success.

How can I get my children to fish?

Absolutely! Children love fishing. Most children who grow up fishing never stop doing so. You can encourage your child to fish by doing many things. One way to encourage your child to learn how fishing is done is to teach them how you tie knots, how build a pole, and the basics of fishing etiquette. You could also show them pictures of what fish look like and tell them stories about fishing.

Statistics

About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.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)