Spanish Mackerel Fishing in Florida

Spanish Mackerel are the smaller member of the mackerel family, also known as Scomberomorus Maculatus. Spanish get to15 lbs. the Florida record is 12 lbs. caught in Ft. Pierce Fl. Spanish move in close to the beach in fast moving schools and migrate to Florida in the winter and early spring. The majority of Spanish mackerel are still caught from boats trolling spoons anywhere from a half-mile to five miles off the beach We use small bait with a wire leader of 30ft tied to a barrel swivel. For the bigger fish, we drift smaller live baits, such as mullet minnows or smaller menhaden, usually on a 3- to 4-foot leader suspended under a float. We will hook baits through the nose with a No. 4 treble hook.

There are 3 main distinctions between Spanish and King Mackerel, the lateral lines on the body, the dorsal fin pattern and the jaw. There is a substantial size limit difference between the two. King fish have to be 24″ to the fork with a daily limit of 2 fish and Spanish mackerels have to be 12″ to the fork with a 15 fish daily limit.

Spanish Mackerels have darker meat and are one of the tastiest of the Mackerel family. Spanish Mackerel 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 fillet and excellent eating baked, broiled, steamed, smoked, poached, or fried.

Can catch 15 per day per angler 12” min

[su_fishing_rates_accordian]

[su_fish_sidebar]