Fishing Lures

Spanish Mackerel Fishing rigs

By Trey Gordon 26 March, 2023 7 mins read

You should be familiar with the basics of casting spoons and gotchas for Spanish mackerel fish fishing. You can find bucktails in various sizes, from one-quarter ounce to one-half ounce. You can adjust bucktail size to match the size you are after.

Casting spoons

Spanish bass is a great choice when choosing a rig. Casting spoons ought to have a long, flat body without any cupping and an overall length of about 6 inches. Spanish bass prefer small baitfish and so a shiny, glossy finish is great for sunny days. For cloudy days, a matte finish will work well. You can rig your Spanish Bass fishing rig using a single hook on split rings. A treble hook will cause missed strikes and a hiccup, so don't use it.

A metal casting spoon will catch a variety of fish, but the primary species to target are Spanish mackerel and Bluefish. These fish are attracted to lures which have a fast retrieve. A jigging spool will produce a fluttering action which fish enjoy. If you're fishing on a river or lake, you can also try a jigging spoon.

Spanish mackerel have weak teeth so they are attracted by light lures. Casting spoons with a light wire will keep the lure from breaking off during a fight. Spanish mackerel is small but can still be hooked using a triple hook. The light wire will protect you from the razor-sharp teeth. Your cast will be more effective if you have a smaller bait.

Got-Cha lures

A classic Got-Cha lure can be used to catch Spanish mackerel schools. The treblehook bait will sink quickly and can be quickly retrieved. Jerking the rod tip creates a deadly darting action underwater. Spanish fish can't resist this action. Be sure to let the lure sink to the bottom before jigging it. You will increase your chances to hook a Spanish mackerel if you probe the whole water column.

Use Got-Cha lures to Spanish makerel fish rigs. Make sure you choose the right leader. If you use a long leader, you may lose a lot of fish. A medium-length leader may be difficult to attract Spanish mackerel. You should use a shorter leader if you are fishing in a stream or river.

A diamond jig is the secret weapon of many charter boat captains. These jigs, which are light and portable, are extremely effective for Spanish mackerel when they are eating glass minnows in clear waters. Their flashy jigs give them just enough of an incentive to strike. Although diamond jigs can be rolled, larger versions are better for vertical jigging than structure.

Monofilament line

You can use braided or monofilament lines for your Spanish mackerel fishing gears. However, many anglers prefer monofilament. Monofilament lines have a stretch that stops the hook pulling against the fish's teeth. These fish are not likely to bite a leader weighing 20 pounds because they live in open water. It is difficult to choose the right leader for you. This will depend on what type of Spanish mackerel your are looking to catch.

Although fluorocarbon line can be more expensive than monofilament but has many benefits over monofilament. For baits and live trap angling, fluorocarbon line is better because it is undetectably submerged. Mono is more resistant to snapping or fraying when the fish bites and also holds knots well. Mono is cheaper and more flexible than fluoro.

Live bait is an effective way to catch Spanish mackerel. Generally, you can use baitfish or shrimp, but a live sardine is the most effective. Spanish mackerel are more likely to eat live bait if it is flashy and moves quickly. Trolling spoons can cover large areas and are intended to be trolled at high speed. Trolling can be a good option when Spanish mackerel are not working on the surfaces.

Braided Line

For more fish and more bites, it is important to choose the right leader. Spanish can be very sensitive to your mistakes. The ideal graphite rod is eight to ten foot in length. It doesn't feel too heavy, and it can reach Spanish schools. You can cast long distances with heavier wire, but it is not required.

Spanish mackerel can be found in the vicinity so a gotcha is an essential lure. The lure sinks quickly after being cast. A jerking of the tip can cause a deadly darting action below 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.

For fishing in Florida, you'll need a 8 to nine-weight fly rod with an excellent drag system. A floating line works best when fishing on the top, while a sinker can be used in the deeper flats. The fish's vision will be obstructed by a wire leader. Monofilament leaders work well for surface fishing. However, Spanish mackerel can snag wire leaders.

Speck Rigs

There are many ways to use Speck rigs for Spanish makers. A speck rig is a great way to catch the largest Spanish fisherman in the world, whether you are a beginner or an experienced fisherman. Pete recommends trolling a speck lure well behind the boat. The longer the line, it is better to troll the lure further behind the boat, so that the boat's engine doesn't disturb the bait. Another technique is to use a free-spool of small menhaden, known as peanut bunker or pogy.

Speck Rigs can be fished either from a shoreline or from a pier. Quarter casts of 45 degrees are recommended to get the best out of the speck rig. 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. The Love Lures Speck Rig is another popular Speck rig. It is composed of two jigs attached to dropper loops and an fluorocarbon leader that weighs 20 or 30 lbs.

One of the most popular approaches for catching these fish is to troll around structure. Kingfish can often be found near buoys and the beach. Live shrimp, alewives, or small menhaden are excellent baits. If you are targeting them near structures, you can use a speck-rig with fresh shrimp or live shrimp. You can use other lures to catch Spanish mackerel as well, but trolls is the most common method.

Drifting

It is important to learn the ropes of Spanish mackerel drifting. You will need a leader of 30 feet to get started. While you can hand line it, it is best to keep an eye on where strikes are coming in. When you are making 90-degree turns, you will notice the speed of your lures change. Lines to the inside will slow down while lines to the outside will speed it up. Match the speed of your lines catching more fish.

Drifting baits work well with either artificial or live bait. There are many choices for bait fish, live shrimp and dead bait. For drifting, split shot is also a good choice. To decrease the risk of cutoffs, a long-shanked Hook is required. A 1/0 Hook will work well. A 1/0 hook can cover large areas. Drifting can be used in both offshore and inshore waters.

Artificial reefs are another option to attract Spanish mackerel. These fish can be found near the bottom of the Bay near tunnel tubes. You can also use baited plugs and cut bait if you're on a pier. Drifting live bait is the best way to fish for these species. You can also try fishing off the coast of Virginia during the summertime. 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. The Spanish mackerel fishing gear is the same as the king mackerel rigs. Instead of using a single hook you'll be using two smaller bucktails along with one No. 6 treble hook. These bucktails vary in size depending on the size of your baitfish.

You can either use live bait, such as shrimps or small silvery fish. You have the option to either throw it into a schooling of breaking fish, or you can drift it across an open sea. Chumping can also be used to strike a strike. 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.

When drifting for Spanish mackerel, you can use live or artificial bait. Drifting is a good way to catch Spanish mackerel. You can use live shrimp and bait fish, or split shot. The best hook for this type of fish is a long-shanked one, which reduces cutoffs. The 1/0 is an excellent choice for all-around fishing.

FAQ

What type of fishing license do you need?

If you plan to fish in state waters (i.e., lakes, rivers, and bays), you must purchase a fishing license. A valid fishing license is required by state law for anglers before they can fish. If you plan to fish within federal waters (e.g. Great Lakes, oceans), a license is required. Fishing licenses are not required if you plan to fish in federal waters. You must check with your local authorities if you plan on taking any fish home.

How much is basic fishing equipment?

Basic fishing equipment starts at $100-$200, including rod/reel and bait combos, as well as tackle boxes and bait. You'll need to spend between 500-$1000 to get a bigger boat.

Where can I find quality fishing guides?

Many services are provided by fishing guides. You can get advice about the best areas to fish in, tips for catching certain types of fish and even how to use various types of equipment.

Where can I find my fishing gear?

All of the above items can be bought at most sporting equipment stores. However, if you are looking for something specific, you may want to check online. There are many websites that sell everything, including rods and reels as well as tackle boxes and lures.

How do I bait my hooks?

Tie a piece meat on the hook to bait it. Next, tie the meat around your hook's eye.

Where can you find the best fishing spots?

There are plenty of places where you can fish around the world. Many people enjoy fishing in public parks, private pools, lakes, rivers and streams as well as other water bodies.

Where is the best place for fishing?

Fishermen should be able to fish in areas near water bodies, such as streams, lakes, rivers and rivers. These areas are rich in fish food.

Statistics

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)
You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
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)