A typical trolling spread for Spanish mackerel is 4 or 5 lines with most below the surface and one on the surface.
How much line should you let out when trolling?
Downriggers. Downriggers allow for extra long length between the downrigger ball and the lure. Let out 50 feet of line and clip into the release. If that’s not enough distance to prevent your lake’s wary walleyes from seeing the ball…then let out 150 feet of line!
How deep do you troll for Spanish mackerel?
An age-old method for catching Spanish mackerel from boats is to troll No. 1 and No. 00 Clark spoons at varying depths from the surface to 5 or 6 feet deep, using trolling weights in 1- to 3-ounce sizes and No. 1 planers.
How fast do you troll for Spanish mackerel?
between five and seven knots
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. Having one in the mix will slow down the inevitable, but it won’t stop the twisting.
How far behind the boat should I troll?
Every boat is different and you should make your boat your own study. 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 line do you use for Spanish mackerel?
One bit of rigging that is absolutely crucial for Spanish is a good leader. If Spanish mackerel fish teeth hit 12-pound monofilament line, that line will quickly shred in two pieces. Some anglers prefer a short—eight inches—light metal leader which connects the lure or bait to the angler’s line.
What is the best time to catch Spanish mackerel?
Normally, the times around sunrise and sunset are your best times. But, Spanish are a schooling fish and will come by the pier any time during the day. Fishing off the end of the Okaloosa Island Pier Spanish Mackerel caught on the with a Gotcha.
What is the best tide to catch mackerel?
spring high tide
The best tide for mackerel fishing is a spring high tide. These are tides when the difference between high water and low water is at its greatest, and the flow of water is strongest. Big tides push bait fish closer into shore and mackerel follow them in.
What is the best bait for Spanish mackerel?
Bait & Lures
Spanish mackerel will eat just about anything including sardines, mullet, cut bait, squid, and shrimp. They prefer quickly moving bait, but when they’re feeding they are not particularly picky. Seasoned anglers will always keep shiny spoons and other heavy metal lures on hand.
How do you target Spanish mackerel?
How to Target Spanish Mackerel
- Try using a small gold spoon.
- Watch for those gray-hounding fish.
- Use as fast a retrieve as you can, and if you’re trolling, bump the speed up to eight or even nine knots.
- Use weight or a planer to get a lure down beneath the surface.
- Watch for birds.
How fast is trolling speed?
Baits and lures are typically trolled at speeds up to 9 knots (17 km/h), though speeds up to 15 knots (28 km/h) can be used, particularly when boats are travelling to different fishing areas. The speed at which the lure is pulled through the water impacts on the fishing success.
How do you control crankbait depth?
Move your crankbait too slow or too fast and it’ll run too shallow. The bill has to bite into the water at the correct angle for the lure to run as deep as possible. The length of your cast is the next thing that affects running depth. A longer cast will let the bait get down deeper.
How much backing do I need for braided line?
You should use 8-10 lb. monofilament as backing for your spinning reel. Any heavier than that and you start running into problems like your braid not laying flat along the backing or your braid getting caught in the mono to braid knot.
How is spool capacity calculated?
Simply divide the reel factor by the diameter of the cable in inches squared. For example, Quabbin Wire’s plastic 10 ½ inch spool can contain about 500 feet of a 0.25 inch diameter cable. As a comparison, almost 700 feet of the same cable will fit on the plywood 12 inch reel.
How much line do you need for offshore fishing?
In general, you can get by with a 6 to 7-foot medium-action offshore fishing rod with a heavy baitcaster reel and 20-pound test monofilament line. If you’re going for deep-sea bottom fishing, however, you’ll need 50-pound line.
How much line do you need for mackerel fishing?
There is no need for finesse or complicated rigs when fishing for mackerel. Nor is there any need for any specific rods and reels. For the best sport, choose a light spinning rod or lure rod and match it up with a small fixed spool reel. Use 15 lb monofilament line or better still 15 lb braid.
Do you need wire leader for Spanish mackerel?
Spanish mackerel aren’t huge, but they can tear through your line in a hurry. Leaders are a must because of their super sharp teeth. Some anglers prefer using wire leaders, especially when using very fast retrieves with artificial lures.
How much leader do you need 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.
How long should a trolling rod be?
Fishing rod size chart
| Fishing rod type | Length range | Most commonly used length |
|---|---|---|
| Surf casting rod | 9′ to 14′ | 10′ to 12′ |
| Boat rod | 5′ to 7′ | 6′ to 6’6″ |
| Trolling rod | 8′ to 14′ | 9′ to 11′ |
| Ice fishing rod | 20″ to 48″ | 28″ to 36″ |
What is the limit on Spanish mackerel in Florida?
Regulations: The Spanish mackerel, is what you generally think of when you hear “mackerel” in Florida. The Spanish has a min size limit of 12″ to the fork and a bag limit of 15 fish per person per day.
How fast do Spanish mackerel grow?
They are fast growing species which reach over 40 cm in the first year. Around 50 per cent of spaniards are mature at two years of age and around 80cm long.
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