While they aren’t necessarily prized for their eating quality, this slim-lined, colorful, and powerful species is a … Spring and fall … Minimum Size Limit: 12" fork length. For best chances, stick to … State Record: 12 lb, caught near Ft. Pierce. Along the Atlantic coast, Spanish mackerel spend the winter off Florida and move northward to North Carolina in early April and to New York in June. King Mackerel in Florida. Spanish mackerel are aggressive feeders that will strike a wide variety of natural and artificial baits, so they can be very easy to catch. Some commercial fishermen actually still make money hook and lining them; that’s how fast the action can be. A good rule of thumb: Be aware of the armament of teeth for all mackerel species. Spanish mackerel fishing in Florida is enjoyed by many anglers. Absent from north Florida waters in winter. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Atlantic Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) is a migratory species of mackerels 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 tend to be significantly … The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, Floridians' Favorites and readers' comments do not necessarily represent those of VISIT FLORIDA. View Comments. Fishing in Florida on a hot summer day. 620 S. Meridian St. • Tallahassee, FL • (850) 488-4676 Prevalent throughout Florida waters: inshore, offshore and nearshore. A little early but Those mackerels are a life saver when you take the wife out or guest with ADHD. the Florida record is 12 lbs. Anglers catch Spanish mackerel using a wide variety of baits and techniques. They tend to travel in schools with similar size fish. Anglers can catch them from bridges, fishing catwalks, piers and the causeways, too. Blink twice and you’ll miss this speed demon of Florida waters. VISIT FLORIDA® is the Official Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation. Copyright 1999 - 2021 State of Florida. Macks - the speed of the hit, That is what comes to mind when I say there name. King mackerel fish can be found in waters as shallow as 15 to 20 feet and often are caught by pier anglers. Recipe for smoked Spanish, Um, Um, Good. Although there are many species of mackerel, we most frequently catch King, Cero and Spanish Mackerel in the Florida Keys. Reel in line neatly cut near the leader and, you guessed it, another Spanish mackerel. Spanish mackerel are aggressive feeders that will strike a wide variety of natural and artificial baits, so they can be very easy to catch. To remain in warm water, Spanish mackerel migrate out of the northern parts of the state in the fall of the year and return in … Try one month for $1. Spanish mackerel are a pelagic, fast swimming fish that are prevalent throughout Florida’s coastal waters when water temperatures exceed 70 degrees. Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) is a valuable sport and food fish caught off both of Florida’s coasts.It’s an open-water species that swims in vast schools and feeds on small fish, including herrings and sardines. Schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F.  Spawn offshore from spring through summer. Spanish Mackerel; Spanish Mackerel. _____Like the video? Spanish Mackerel are a fun fighting, good eating, high energy fish that frequent the Tampa Bay. The days are getting shorter and the mullet schools are dwindling in size and frequency. We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. King, Spanish and cero mackerel are biting year round. In the eastern Gulf of Mexico, they migrate to the west of Cape San Blas, Florida. Light spinning or bait-casting tackle with 10 to 15 pound monofilament line is adequate; however, 30 to 60 pound monofilament leader is required due to the mackerel’s razor sharp teeth. Many anglers identify the location of Spanish mackerel by trolling or watching for birds diving on schools of baitfish, which often indicates that mackerel are forcing the bait to the surface. Learn more in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy. The most popular way to target kings is to slow-troll live baits over likely wrecks, reefs or around inlets. We are blessed with three species of mackerel fish near and offshore – the king, the Spanish and, in the Florida Keys, the cero mackerel. Daily Bag Limit: 15 per harvester. Spanish and King Mackerel are found throughout Florida’s waters. Are Spanish Mackerel Good to Eat? Atlantic Spanish mackerel is the species that Sarasota, Florida anglers will catch. They are a terrific game fish that is widely distributed throughout the state. Hello from the Florida keys, Spanish mackerel and king mackerel are one of my favorite fish to eat. The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. They will cover the entire Gulf Coast. It is replaced from Belize to Brazil by a similar species referred to as S… Please contact us to send a comment or to report a problem. If not Spanish, don’t waste your time unless you want to do some great catch-and-release light tackle fishing. With a weight forward or intermediate sink tip on a fast-action rod, work the bait pods in the same manner as the jerk baits. They hit many different types of lures, and are some of the fastest fish in the ocean.We like fishing for them off of piers when we visit our friends in Florida, as well from shore during the mullet run. Angling techniques include trolling or casting with small shiny spoons, dusters or jigs. Spanish mackerel are one of those migratory fish that come around when water temperatures are 70 degrees and above. Many spots, which are both yellow and brown. Spanish Mackerel. Spanish Mackerel are the smaller member of the mackerel family, also known as Scomberomorus Maculatus. All material © 2001-2020 by VISIT FLORIDA®, all rights reserved. Cero mackerel occur exclusively in the southern part of the state, most commonly in the Florida Keys. I will make your “Barbecued Mackerel with Ginger” recipe on my next king fish run. Female Spanish mackerel generally are much larger than males, which rarely exceed four or five pounds. Popular Spanish Mackerel Fishing Charters in Panama City Beach, Florida. View our privacy policy. Hollywood and his crew, you can get in touch with them at FloridaKeysFunFishing.com. If you see fish striking bait pods over deep grass flats, you may have found Spanish mackerel—or maybe bluefish, ladyfish or bonito (little tunny). Wanted to start a thread on Spanish mackerel report that we can update throughout the winter/spring run. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. They are locally found along the Atlantic coast from as far north as Nova Scotia (Canada) and south to Florida along the Gulf of Mexico (US). Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Spanish Mackerel are a migratory fish that follow water temperature to areas that do not drop below 70 degrees F. Fishing for Spanish Mackerel in Florida is a year-round sport, but best in the late spring and early summer months when the fish is spawning offshore. The Spanish Mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus Dark above with silvery sides. Giant smoker kings can range up to 60 pounds but are far less frequent. Many anglers identify the location of Spanish mackerel by trolling or watching for birds diving on schools of baitfish, which often indicates that mackerel are forcing the bait to … Spanish Mackerel Regulations: The Spanish mackerel, is what you generally think of when you hear "mackerel" in Florida. I’ll be going to pecks lake in 2 weeks to check it out. In a sauce pan, melt 1/2 stick butter, add 1/2 of a beer (NO LIGHT BEER), add some crushed garlic and onion. Spanish mackerel are available in all of the inshore and coastal waters of Florida at one time of the year or another. King mackerel almost always necessitate using wire leader; cero and Spanish mackerel can be caught using heavier mono. All mackerel fish have blinding speed and incredible eyesight, and typically feed in clear waters that allow them to exert caution when approaching artificials pegged to a hook. The end of the pier tends to be the hot spot, so get there early and claim a spot. We are blessed with three species of mackerel fish near and offshore – the king, the Spanish and, in the Florida Keys, the cero mackerel. Florida Today. The smaller kings, also known as “snakes,” are the most prevalent. As waters cool later in the year, they return south to Florida waters. Finding king mackerel isn’t difficult; they’ll always be in or around schools of baitfish, especially during fall and spring migrations. I love that hit, that race of drag and when there are so many, at every cast, your … They tend to prefer shallower depths, usually less than 50 feet, and have a penchant for chasing bait into shallow water. How To Be Sure You Have Caught A Spanish Mackerel Cero mackerel also respond extremely well to chumming, especially when handfuls of live bait are tossed over patch reefs. And if you’re in the Florida Keys and you want to get on some mackerel with Capt. Good availability and great rates. Have any questions about filleting Spanish mackerel? monofilament leader; Extra strength Mustad 11/0 7731D big game welded eye hook ; 1 Bait per pack ; 30 Packs per case Mackerel also makes a good table fish. Spanish mackerel rarely reach sizes above seven or eight pounds. Spanish mackerel are plentiful, and can be found along the coastline of all southern U.S. states. King mackerel also respond well to chumming and often can be lured close enough to the boat to catch with artificials. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • Farris Bryant Building Spanish move in close to the beach in fast moving schools and migrate to Florida in the winter and early spring. ... Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • Farris Bryant Building 620 S. Meridian St. • Tallahassee, FL • (850) 488-4676 The Spanish has a min size limit of 12" to the fork and a bag limit of 15 fish per person per day. I will be using king fish instead of Spanish mackerels ( basically the same : ) Reply. Tackle for mackerel can run the gamut from medium to heavy trolling outfits to small inshore spinning rods. Spanish mackerel schools will often run the channels of the Intracoastal Waterway. Josh met up with Corey from Tackle Crafters to go fishing for Spanish Mackerel and sharks off the coast of Florida. Florida anglers can target mackerel throughout the Sunshine State and throughout the year. The mackerel have a hard time telling Clouser minnows with bead eyes in chartreuse-and-white with a couple strands of silver flash apart from the real McCoy. Features: 13" - 14" Mackerel; 15' of 300lb. Florida anglers can target mackerel throughout the Sunshine State and throughout the year. They live in nearshore waters, and move up and down the coasts with changing water temps. If you’ve ever witnessed the sight of mackerel rocketing through schools of baitfish, you understand why it’s impossible to ignore this speedster. Spanish mackerel form immense, fast-moving schools that are distributed from New York to Mexico, preferring water temperatures above 68° F. Unlike king mackerel, Spanish mackerel do not appear to move freely around the Florida Keys, creating two subpopulations, one in the Gulf and the other off the southeastern states. Fillet the fish, leave the skin on. Sorry this content is for subscribers only. Subscribe to continue reading. Regulations Gulf and Atlantic State Waters. Florida is considered to be the area with the highest abundance of Spanish mackerel This species is also seen along the north coast of Cuba and throughout the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula. Frequently found over grass beds and reefs. King, Spanish and cero mackerel are biting year round. Your Instructor. Read unbiased reviews and choose the best deal for your trip. Already a subscriber? That means the Spanish mackerel … Let me know in the comments below! Spanish mackerel are one of our favorite types of game fish to fish for from shore. King mackerel, also called kingfish, are the largest of the three. Surf and pier anglers catch a tremendous amount of Spanish mackerel throughout Florida using jigs or plugs. Catching Spanish Mackerel from a Pier Most piers in Florida will hold Spanish Mackerel. Lots of fish and bikinis! Course Overview. Falling somewhere between the size of king mackerel and Spanish mackerel, cero are arguably the most beautiful of the three species. caught in Ft. Pierce Fl. All three types of mackerel fishing can be fun for almost any skill level. They like their warm water and move up and down the coast of Florida based on water temperature and food supplies. Spanish get to15 lbs. They are a migrating fish, and although they will venture beyond these areas, their primary range is from Virginia, around Florida, and all the way to Texas. King Mackerel can range up to 72 inches in length and can weigh in at nearly 100 pounds. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2019 Agency Regulatory Plan. Cero are most often caught by anglers who are mackerel fishing in the Keys on light line trailed behind the boat. Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, See a full list of our Social Media accounts, Back is bluish-green, fading to silvery sides and belly, Bluish-black blotch on front of first dorsal fin, Lateral line slopes gently from behind the gill cover to the tail. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Spanish mackerel offer fast fly rod action. Similar Species: Cero, S. regalis (has yellowish stripe on sides); and king mackerel, S. cavalla (lateral line drops sharply below second dorsal fin). Mackerel Fishing in Florida: King, Spanish and Cero Mackerel Through Florida. Spanish mackerel are found in the subtropical and tropical waters off North America and the Caribbean. Spanish mackerel are a popular Florida fish with anglers seeking a quick and tasty dinner to cap off their trip. An open water species, Spanish mackerel spawn offshore of Florida beginning in April. South Florida Spanish Mackerel find them Get them in the Summer! Written by Boatless fisherman. Throw a plug into the waves and retrieve it … Sign in. They migrate up the east coast as far as Cape Cod. Size and Bag limits in Jacksonville, Florida for Spanish Mackerel: The bag limit is 15 fish per person, with the minimum size limit of 12 inches long at the fork. Know someone who needs to learn how to fillet Spanish mackerel? King Mackerel often called “Kingfish” by locals in the Keys is gray and silver in coloration and typically much larger in size than Cero and Spanish Mackerel. 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