The Spanish Mackerel is certainly a racehorse of the ocean. The exciting game fish usually occupy the coastal waters
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When to Fish for the Spanish mackerel
You need to watch for the diving birds from March through to September. Early October is also another incredible time to fish for the Spanish mackerel. In summer heat, these types of fish are normally all over the inland waters and bays. Pelicans may get right into the fray. However, we are talking about tiny terns, usually white with black beaks, which dive in the loops, touching on the surface as they grab chewed bait pieces.
Certainly, diving birds are usually a dead giveaway. The birds feed on bait. Normally, the bait would come close to the water surface. Plenty of different predators are responsible for this activity. However in early fall, summer and spring, the frenzy often means it is the Spanish mackerel.
How to Recognize a Spanish Mackerel
You can distinguish the Spanish mack from both the King Mackerel and the Cero Mackerel by the yellow or bronze spots without stripes on the sides or by lack of any scales on pectoral fins. The cero is the closest look-like to the Spanish Mackerel. Both have stripes and spots of yellow and bronze on their sides. The King mackerel lacks neither stripes nor spots. The King cero and cero have pectoral fins with scales. The Spanish mackerel has a body that is typically mackerel-like and essentially silvery. Its back is bluish.
Where to catch the Spanish mackerel
The Spanish mack is present in
Here is a detailed list with extra details on the exact areas to catch this kind of fish:
- Baitfish patches
- Channel entrances
- Bays and estuaries
- Deep shore water
- Manmade structures
- Coastal waters
How to Catch Spanish Mackerel
A highly popular and effective way of catching the fast moving, predatorial hunters is by trolling baits and lures. They commonly hit baits trailed for Sailfish and Marlin. Just like most predators, the Spanish Mackerel also take baits. Sometimes, even with smaller hooked fish can make them an excellent target for the live baits.
The fact that these types of fish are coastal means that land based anglers also target them from cliffs,
Fishing from the high rock cliffs and platforms, you can take the Spaniards on lures and baits. Nonetheless, ‘ballooning’ stands out as the most popular strategy or method for fishing. You can choose with surface balloons or helium (gas) balloons.
Surface Ballooning vs. Gas Ballooning
Surface ballooning consists of inflating a party balloon and utilizing it just like a large float in order to drift the bait out with the current or wind. Gas
Learn more about catching the Spanish mackerel here.
Step 1: Search for the birds
For sure, sea birds are lazy animals. Actually, they take advantage of the hard work of school of Spanish mackerel in searching for baitfish on the surface. Anytime you see diving birds, chances are very high that a group of predatory fish is present underneath. Most commonly, it is the Spanish mackerel.
Step 2: Search for the boats
During busy days, (weekends with excellent weather), there is absolutely no fancy fish-finding equipment or even natural clues needed. All you need to do is search for a pile of twenty boats subsequent to the school in order to identify the location of the mackerel.
Step 3: Fish over the structure offshore
Failure to see birds diving at bait or fish busting on the surface, chances are high that the
Step 4: Make use of metal lures
Metal lures such as Gotcha’ Lures or
Step 5: For fast trolling or retrievals, try natural bait strips
At times, there is no doubt that the bait does not want to remain on the hook whenever you want to reel in quickly or when trolling. For this reason, utilize a strip bait instead. Therefore, cut thin strips of shiny ladyfish, mullet etc. Roughly 1 inch wide or 3 inches long should do. Also, do not forget to attach to a shank hook that is long.
Step 6: For fast tackle utilize high gear ratio tackle
What is for sure is the fact that this kind of fish
Step 7: Utilize wire leaders if you happen to be losing fish
The Spanish mackerel boasts an incredible set of pointed triangular teeth, which slices through fluorocarbon or monofilament leaders. If you happen to be losing fish on the leaders, the Spanish mackerel are not too shy of the wire leaders.
Step 8: When casting far, utilize braided line
Whenever you are fishing from piers or beaches, a braided line enables you to cast further. What is more is the fact that it offers you a stronger set of hooks at those far distances, after you are out there because of lacking a stretch in the line.
Step 9: Utilize traditional tackle from piers and beaches
At times, when fishing from piers or beaches, huge mackerel schools might come close enough for just a tease. However, you cannot quite reach them. With a traditional tackle, you can be able to cast further. Eventually, you might be able to reach them even from the comfort of piers and beaches. For instance, the Shimano conventional rod can be handy in helping you cast far.
Step 10: Utilize long rods
Always know that the longer the rod, the longer cast you will get. This comes in handy under any situation. However, it is especially true when the fish are spooky on that day.
Conclusion
Every year, prime seasons exist to catch the Spanish mackerel throughout the east. Whenever the fish are in, they are in their hundreds. If you have the knowhow, catching them is very easy. however, things might be quite tough if you lack the knowledge. By adhering to the above steps or tips on how to catch Spanish mackerel, there is no doubt that you will be successful at your hunt.
Check out this video to learn more about what you need to do in order to increase your chances of catching the Spanish Mackerel.
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