Mackerel Fishing in Tampa Bay Captain Sean Goddard https://inshore2offshore.com 813-731-3426
Spanish Mackerel • The Atlantic Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus, is a migratory species of mackerel that swims to the Northern Gulf of Mexico in spring, returns to south Florida in the Eastern Gulf, and to Mexico in the Western Gulf in the fall. • Spanish mackerel are prevalent throughout Florida waters: inshore, offshore and near shore. They are frequently found over grass beds and reefs. These mackerel are absent from north Florida waters in winter. • Spanish mackerel are a schooling fish that migrate northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees. They spawns offshore from spring through summer and feeds on small fish and squid.
Gear for Mackerel Fishing • • • • • • • •
7 foot medium action spinning rod 3000-4000 sized reel spooled with 20 pound braid 30 pound fluorocarbon leader 3/0 long shank hooks Silver spoons 1 oz with a single barbless 3/0 bait hook Silver mackerel jigs 1 oz with a single barbless 3/0 bait hook Never use wire leader it will deter strikes. You will have to rig the lures yourself with the single hook set up. • Treble hooks will slow you down when the bite is hot and can be dangerous to remove from these feisty fish.
Tactics for Mackerel • Look for mackerel on the beaches, over hard bottom, in the bay along the edges of the shipping lanes or over artificial reefs. Look for diving birds and surface commotion • Chum using cut threadfins or a chum block to bring them in • Stage baits at various depths to find the fish • If using spoons slow troll hard bottom • If you are anchored attach a threadfin to your spoon and let it drop to the bottom and slowly retrieve • Work mackerel jigs quickly through water column to create flash, use split shot and weights to bring the jig down • Bait fishing with long shank hooks works by drifting baits in the chum slick
Great to Eat • • • • •
Bleed and ice right away to keep the fish fresh. Fillet and cut out blood line. My favorite is smoked with lemon slices and herbs. Great Baked, broiled or fried. Soak in milk if you are not going to smoke them and eat the day you catch them. Never freeze them. • High in omega 3 fatty acids great for blood pressure cholesterol and heart disease.
Conclusion • Mackerel is one of my favorite fish to catch and to guide my clients to. Long runs and speedy fights with lots of pull make mackerel one fun fish, If you have kids on the boat they will have the time of their life catching these speed demons. • I love to fish mackerel on lower tides while waiting for the change to head inshore for reds and snook. Imagine a day of fishing with your limit plus of mackerel and then inshore for some redfish, trout and snook. • Book today www.inshore2offshore.com