Because Spanish mackerel like a fast-moving bait, trolling is the best way to catch them. Yes, you can catch a Spanish by casting, but for every one you catch casting lures another angler will catch ten on the troll.
What is the best bait for Spanish mackerel?
The top two live baits for Spanish mackerel fishing are live shrimp and live bait fish. The most effective live bait fish are the families of small silvery fish such as scaled sardines, Spanish sardines, and threadfin herring. Shrimp are available at local bait shops.
What is the best time to catch Spanish mackerel?
From March to September, when you see those birds, especially small terns, diving into the water for bait, chances are, Spanish mackerel are driving the bait to the surface.
What is the best tide to catch Spanish mackerel?
An early spring high tide is the greatest time to go mackerel fishing. These are the tides that occur when the difference between high and low water is at its highest, and the flow of water is at its greatest intensity.
What size hooks for Spanish mackerel?
A piece of light wire is used to avoid cut-offs from their razor sharp teeth and one or a pair of small, size 6 or 8, treble hooks are used. They can buzz a lightly set drag pretty well and are especially fun to catch on trout/flounder/drum outfits. Spanish mackerel are tasty prepared in a variety of ways.
What size Spanish mackerel can you keep?
12 inches fork
Minimum Size Limit
12 inches fork length except a vessel fishing under a quota for Spanish mackerel may possess no more than 5%, by weight, of undersized Spanish mackerel.
Do you need wire for Spanish mackerel?
Because most Spanish mackerel are going to weigh just a couple of pounds, fishermen usually like to use lighter tackle when trolling for these fish. Anglers typically use medium action rods with 8 to 12 pound test line and a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon leader (25 to 50 pound test line) to avoid bite-offs.
Is a Spanish mackerel good to eat?
They are rarely seen on the menu in restaurants on the Outer Banks, but Spanish mackerel are wonderful to eat. Mackerels are also one of the richest sources for Omega-3 fatty acids. These are the polyunsaturated fatty acids with huge health benefits. They are easily filleted and lend themselves to many cooking methods.
What should I troll for Spanish mackerel?
Trolling speed for Spanish mackerel is between five and seven knots. At this speed the 15-pound leader is going to twist no matter how many ball bearing swivels you use.
What Colours are mackerel attracted to?
Lures in the 20 cm range are popular with the red/white Qantas colour scheme and blues and greens being present in most avid mackerel angler’s tackle boxes. Check the quality of rings and hooks before using them and consider using a second split ring with hooks.
How do you fish mackerel from shore?
“The most effective way of catching mackerel here is to use a string of lures or feathers. These basic lures are retrieved erratically through the water, mimicking small baitfish such as sand eels, which are the staple diet of mackerel. Plain white through to vivid day-glo orange colors work best here.
What water temp do Spanish mackerel like?
They’ll search for temperatures between 68 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit that are pleasant for them, whether they’re deep or shallow.
Are Spanish mackerel hard to catch?
Spanish are typically very easy to catch when they are around, they fight hard, they taste great and they are easy to clean. So, Spanish mackerel are an ideal game fish for recreational anglers.
What’s the difference between mackerel and Spanish mackerel?
Adult Spanish mackerel and juvenile king mackerel can look a lot alike. Both are long, slender fish with a forked tail and bronze-colored spots on the body. But the Spanish mackerel features a black spot on the first dorsal fin that the king mackerel lacks.
What is the largest Spanish mackerel ever caught?
On December 27, 2015, Isamu Kinoshita caught an impressive 10.57-kilogram (23-pound, 4-ounce) Japanese Spanish mackerel to set the IGFA All-Tackle World Record.
What’s the limit on Spanish mackerel in Virginia?
A. Minimum size limit for Spanish mackerel is established at 14 inches in total length.
What size leader should I use for Spanish mackerel?
He typically uses 30-40 lb fluorocarbon leader for Spanish mackerel, although he will go with something heavier if there are kings around. If he’s targeting kings, he normally uses #3 wire leader.
Which is the tastiest mackerel?
Which is the tastiest mackerel? It’s time to indulge in some delectable and nutritious Spanish Mackerel. Spanish Mackerels have a darker flesh and are considered to be among the most delicious members of the Mackerel family.
What depth do you troll for mackerel?
Most opt to troll at around 5-6Kts and run a selection of colours to see what is hot on a particular day.
How far behind the boat should I troll?
20 feet to 150 feet
Bait Position and Distance Behind Boat
Proper distance for most boats will be anywhere from 20 feet to 150 feet behind your boat. Whether you have inboard diesel or outboard gas engines, your power dictates the distance you troll your baits and lures.
What speed should you troll for mackerel?
The secret to more effective Mackerel trolling is speed. If you want to catch more Mackerel on lures, troll faster. While 6 knots is okay, 7, 8, 9 or 10 knots is even better. The faster you can troll, the more likely you are to get connected.