Spanish Mackerel on a Fly
Pick up any fishing magazine, and you will find pictures of great fish landed by the few and the lucky. However, another fish is accessible to anyone and everyone. They are caught from shore as frequently as those fortunate to find themselves on a boat.
That fish is the Spanish mackerel.
The mackerel are well known to those that grew up on the water as a fish of the common man. Caught frequently with spoons, plugs, and live bait, they are also a great challenge for the fly fisherman.
However, if you catch Spanish mackerel on a fly rod, hold on. You are in for quite a fight.
All About Spanish Mackerel
Torpedo-shaped and covered with tiny scales, mackerel are the perfect predatory fish for the Atlantic seaboard of North America. Growing quickly up to 13lbs and reproducing at the young age of 2 years old, their population is robust and provides great fishing for those that want an incredible fight.
Schools of greenish-speckled, silver-bodied fish migrate with changing temperatures and seasons. This has produced two distinct populations of mackerel that have many things in common. However, the most important attribute for the fisherman is that the fish eats anything that swims and feeds frequently.
There are different types of mackerel in the mackerel family, but Spanish mackerel are the most commonly caught due to their high population and proclivity toward being closer to shore.
Where to Find Spanish Mackerel
Spanish mackerel are all over the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. You will find them more numerous and active at different places and times of the year. However, you should always be able to catch them with relative ease, regardless.
Water temperatures are the main factor that moves bait fish, and therefore the mackerel, up and down the coast. As waters warm through the summer, the mackerel move farther north, reaching their apex in New York around June. As winter comes on, they find themselves moving south toward Florida.
They love to cruise the open water in large schools chasing other schools of smaller fish. However, due to their relatively small size, they frequently wander into shallow water estuaries, bays, and inlets chasing prey.
The only place you won’t find mackerel is anywhere near sharks or dolphins. Their speed and agility insulate them from many predators, but the apex fish of the ocean is their chief threat. Therefore, if you want to catch them, stay away from working pods of dolphins.
Packing the Tacklebox
Spanish mackerel can be fairly easy to locate and catch but challenging to land due to their speed, strength, and teeth. However, having the correct equipment is critical to success on the water.
Rods—Depending on the conditions, the size of the mackerel you are anticipating, and the challenge you are seeking, a variety of rod weights could be suitable. However, you will certainly be holding something from a six to a nine-weight rod. Typically, most mackerel tug at the end of an eight-weight. This allows enough stiffness to fight against the fish but still has the sensitivity to detect a strike.
Reel— A smooth reel with a large arbor is critical for mackerel since they are prone to long, high-intensity runs that require a lot of backing. The more backing you can have on your reel, the more likely you will be able to wear down the torpedo-shaped fish. Since they rely heavily on their speed, agility, and endurance to chase prey, allowing the fish to run and not get to the end of your line is crucial.
Leaders—Five to six feet of 50 lbs test mono will work for the butt section of your leader, but make sure you top it off with another three to four feet of 30 lbs test tippet. While mackerels are not known to be leader shy, they are visually oriented predators. Something that looks off will likely keep them from striking. However, going to light will lead you to break off more fish than you land.
Flies— Mackerels are predators that rely on baitfish. Any baitfish at that. Provided you put a baitfish patterned fly in front of them with a little bit of weight to it, they will most likely strike it. Plenty of options are available at any fly shop, but you should check in and see what they have been biting on lately. As migration patterns progress, the local mackerel will feed on different baitfish throughout the year. However, a white clouser minnow with a little flash and red eyes will seldom let you down.
Hooks— Whichever fly you choose to go with, the hook size should be around 2 to 1/0 for best results. Though mackerel are fierce fighters, they generally don’t get too big. If you use an oversized hook, you will simply never get it in the fish’s mouth. However, if you use an undersized one, you won’t be able to penetrate the fish’s iron-clad jaw for a proper hooksett.
Tips for Catching Spanish Mackerel on a Fly
If It Shines, It’s Fine- This is one fish you don’t have to think too much about your fly. Provided it is shiny and could be interpreted as a baitfish, you will be ok. Many gear fishermen simply throw metal spoons and have much success with mackerel. Fly fishing adds challenges, but as long as there is some metallic sheen to the fly, you will be fine.
Watch The Birds– Mackerel live their life chasing baitfish. They find a big school and will keep running through them, skimming off unlucky prey. When this happens, the bait fish try to escape but always get pushed up against the surface. The birds then take advantage of this situation and pick off fish pressed against the water’s edge. For the mackerel fisherman, this neon sign flashes “fish here.” Pay attention to the birds and follow them; you won’t be disappointed.
Sidescan Is Your Friend– Like many types of fishing, trying to find where the fish are is most of the battle. Equipping your boat with a side scan-enabled fish finder is extremely useful. By idling along with the side scan active, you can locate the baitfish that the mackerel will be chasing. From there, you simply begin making presentations about where the baitfish are. The mackerel won’t be too far behind them.
Catching Spanish Mackerel with Scout Boats
Spanish mackerel are not the hardest fish to catch. You don’t need a complicated tackle or the latest and greatest boat to chase after them. So long as you can get to where they are in relative comfort, you will have a great day catching the fairly small fish on a fly rod.
However, you still have to get there. The Scout Boats 240 XSF is the perfect mackerel chasing rig. It is robust enough to cut through the chop on rough days when the mackerel push offshore but is also at home in the bays and inlets where you will more frequently find them. With its cushy seating, onboard stereo, and ample room, you will have a great day with your family or clients pulling in mackerel.
Source: https://scoutboats.com/blog/spanish-mackerel-on-a-fly/
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