Artificial Lures

Spanish Mackerel Fishing Rigis

By Bob Thomas 25 August, 2023 7 mins read

When it comes to casting spoons or got-cha lures for Spanish mackerel fishing, there are a few things you should know about these rigs. Bucktails can come in various sizes. You can adjust the size of the bucktails to match the size of the baitfish you're pursuing.

Casting spoons

Spanish bass are an excellent choice for a rig. Casting spoons ought to have a long, flat body without any cupping and an overall length of about 6 inches. Spanish bass eat small baitfish so a shiny finish is best for bright sunlight. A matte finish is better for cloudy days. 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. These species will be attracted to lures that have a quick retrieve. A jigging stick will give you a fluttering sound that attracts fish. You can also use a jigging stick to fish in rivers or lakes.

Spanish mackerel can't eat hard food and prefer light lures. Casting spoons with a light wire will keep the lure from breaking off during a fight. Spanish mackerel can still be hooked despite being small. The light wire will shield your hand from the razor-sharp teeth. The more effective the cast, the smaller the bait.

Got-Cha lures

A classic Gotcha lure is an excellent choice for catching Spanish mackerel schools. This treblehook bait can be quickly pulled out of the water and sinks quickly. The rod tip can be jerked underwater to create a deadly darting action. Spanish fish simply can't resist the action. Before jigging, make sure the lure sinks to bottom. To increase your chances of hooking Spanish mackerel, you should probe the entire water column.

A leader should be chosen that is appropriate for the situation when using Got-Cha baits for Spanish makerel fishing. Long leaders can result in a loss of fish. Spanish mackerel may not be attracted to a leader of medium length if it is too long. A shorter leader is better if you fish in streams or rivers.

Many charter boat captains have a secret weapon: the diamond jig. These jigs weigh only a few grams and can be used when Spanish mackerel consume glass minnows. These jigs provide enough incentive for them to strike. Although diamond jigs can be rolled, larger versions are better for vertical jigging than structure.

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. These fish don't like leaders weighing more than 20 pounds, and they can be caught in open water. The type of Spanish mackerel that you are trying to catch will determine the leader you choose.

Monofilament has monofilament as a cheaper option, but fluorocarbon is still a good choice. Because it is undetectable submerged, fluorocarbon is better for baits or live trap angling. Mono is more resistant to snapping or fraying when the fish bites and also holds knots well. Mono is more forgiving and cheaper than fluoro.

Live bait is an effective way to catch Spanish mackerel. Although you can use shrimp and baitfish, a live Sardinia is more effective. Spanish mackerel are more likely to eat live bait if it is flashy and moves quickly. A trolling spoon is designed to be trolled at high speeds and covers a wide 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. Using a light graphite rod between eight and ten feet is ideal because it doesn't feel too heavy and extends far enough to reach schools of Spanish. It's possible to cast longer distances using heavier wire but this is not necessary.

A gotcha lure is a must-have when Spanish mackerel are in the area. This lure sinks rapidly at the end of the cast and jerking it causes deadly darting under the water. This action is so dangerous that Spanish fish will attack it! Once you have pulled your lure out of the water, bring it down to the bottom to check the entire column for fish.

A 8 to 9-pound fly rod is necessary for Florida fishing. It should have a strong drag system. A floating line is best for fishing on the surface while an intermediate sinker will do fine in the deeper flats. The fish's vision will be obstructed by a wire leader. Monofilament leader are best for surface fishing. Spanish mackerel, however, will not be able to see a wire leader.

Speck rigs

There are many options for how to use Speck rigs as Spanish makers. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned fisherman, a speck rig can catch some of the biggest Spanish in the world. Pete recommends trolling your speck lure close to 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 can be fished either from a shoreline or from a pier. Quarter casts of 45° or more are recommended to get maximum use of the speckrig. You can fish from the pier with the "Water Walker", which replaces your in-line sinker by a weighted popping core. It allows fish to imitate baitfish by flipping the rig. The Love Lures Speck Rig is another popular Speck rig. It has two dropper loop jigs and a fluorocarbon lead of 20 to 30 pounds.

Trolling around structures is one of most popular ways to catch these fish. Kingfish are found close to buoys and beaches. Baits that work well are alewives, small menhaden, live shrimp and alewives. Use fresh shrimp or live shrimp to target them close to structures. Other lures can be used, as well as trolls.

Drifting

You need to be able to drift for Spanish mackerel before you can start. A leader measuring 30 feet is required to begin. You can either hand line it or attach it to your boat. But, be sure to watch for strikes. You will notice a change in the speed of your lures when you turn 90 degrees. 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 lines that are catching fish more often.

Drifting baits can be made from either live or artificial bait. A variety of baits are available, including live shrimp, bait fish and dead bait. Drifting can also benefit from split shot. You will need a long-shanked hook to decrease the risk of cutoffs. A 1/0 Hook will work well. A 1/0 hook can cover large areas. Drifting works well in both offshore or inshore waters.

To attract Spanish mackerel, artificial reefs are also a good idea. These fish can be found near the bottom of the Bay near tunnel tubes. If you are on a pier, you can use cut bait and baited plugs. The best technique to fish these species is to drift back live bait. You can also fish the Virginia coast during summer. If the current is strong, aggressive fish will likely 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 fishing rigs are basically the same as king mackerel fishing rigs. Instead of one hook, use two smaller and one larger bucktails. 6 treble hook. These bucktails are either small or large, depending on the size of your baitfish.

You can use live bait as a shrimp, 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. Inshore or offshore, chumming can also be used to get a strike. Spanish mackerel can be caught using live bait. These fish are also easy to clean and can be found at your local bait shop.

For Spanish mackerel drifting, you can also use live or artificial bait. Drifting is easy with live shrimp and bait fish. However, split shot is also an option to attract more Spanish marlin. The best hook for this type of fish is a long-shanked one, which reduces cutoffs. The 1/0 size is a good choice for all-around use.

FAQ

Are there any special licenses required to fish?

You cannot unless you plan on taking fish out of the state or beyond county boundaries. Many states allow anglers fishing without a license. For more information, contact your local Fish & Wildlife department.

Is it safe and legal to eat fish caught from another source?

Always check with the seller to see if there is a freshness date. The fish is safe to eat if it doesn't have an expiration. You shouldn't eat fish that smells or looks old.

How do you clean a fish?

There are many different ways to clean a fish. You can remove the head, guts and fins. Then wash the fish thoroughly with cold water. The fish can also be gutted by you. This involves removing the intestines from the fish and cleaning out the cavity. Finally, you can ask someone else to help you clean the fish.

How much is basic fishing equipment?

Basic fishing equipment costs around $100-$200 dollars for rod/reel combos, bait, tackle box, etc. If you want to go out on a bigger boat, then you'll need to spend between $500-$1000 dollars.

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)
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)
It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)