I have been reading different information on the type of fresh baits and lures used to catch mackerel. I'm very confused. I plan to fish the GSP in mid October and need a little advice on what to use off the pier.
Badeye
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I have been reading different information on the type of fresh baits and lures used to catch mackerel. I'm very confused. I plan to fish the GSP in mid October and need a little advice on what to use off the pier.
Badeye
Badeye, I've had luck with bubble rigs with either a pink, green or white straw (whichever they prefer that day) over a #2 or #4 bronze treble ( 18"-24" leader - I use 40-50lb fluoro and occasional a small wire if I'm getting cut off), small gotchas with red head / white or silver body, small silver Johnson or sprite spoons ( mix up your retrieve until you see where they're at in the column), suspended mirro lures in mullet color, I've also used CarlR's advice and caught them free floating finger mullet with a treble through the head. Hope this helpsQuote:
Originally Posted by Badeye
FYI ... I'm referring to Spanish not kings.
also I've heard of and have seen folks having success with looney jigs and live shrimp and I've even seen multiple key chains caught on sabiki rigs
Looney jig, gotchas, bubble rigs, small yo-zuris, etc. They like flash, and fast moving prey when feeding.
Badeye Good advice here It's really not that difficult Just need to be pointed in the right direction Can't go wrong with bubble rigs gotchas looney jigs or spoons You can stock up at J&M Sports on Canal Rd Come on out to the pier We'll show you I have every bait or combination a spanish could ever want and will be glad to show you them and how to use them You are coming in prime time You should have no problem catching fish Come on out and enjoy
Thanks Dan S ll, I will take you up on that helping hand; I'll look for you at the pier.
Also a thank you to CarlF on those great pics of the lures. I'll pick some up at JM's when I get in town.
i've got great info on lures; should I focus on mainly using them or is fresh bait needed if the fish aren't running? If so, any recommendations.
Therein lies the artistry.
No doubt mackerel strike a variety of lures and baits.
But figuring out what bait (or lure) they are hitting on any particular day at any particular time is the key ;-)
Proper rigging and presentation are just as important.
My biggest mackerel the last time fishing out there was on a 3" belly strip ('old school')...
Observe what works, what doesn't and give em what they want!
Badeye, check out my reports from Sept, some good advice in there about catching big Spanish on cut LYs & belly strips.
I myself don't think fluorocarbon leader is necessary on a bubble rig. It's expensive and seems to be bitten off easier than regular mono. Use fluorocarbon when fishing live baits or lures where fish can get a better look at your bait. I use 60LB mono leader on my straw rig and it still gets roughed up so that it has to be cut off and redone occasionally. Usually when a Shark manages to grab your Spanish some steady pressure and he will bite through and you won't loose your bubble.
Thanks to Pier#r for his insight on what bait to use. Watching others while you fish and asking what's working would be the thing to do.
I guess my next research project will be on " How to think like a Mackerel". I will pass along what I find.
One other item related to my thread is concerning what type of line I should put on my reels. I have an 8' surf rod with a spinning reel and a 7' med/heavy action rod with a Penn Defiance reel. I was thinking 15lb test mono line on both reels. Any other suggestions?
15lb on the 8' rod, 10 on the smaller one.
Badeye I usually never use anything heavier than 10 lb mono for spanish but with all the sharks here now I have started using some of my King reels with 16 lb mono to throw bubbles as you have enough weight to throw using the heavier line and it allows you to horse the fish in more to avoid the sharks Tuff to throw gotchas or looney jigs with this though so I still use 10 lb for them I also have stated using 20 lb braid for some of my plug rods So I'm not sure what to tell you I'd say a good compromise might be 15 on one and 12 on the other
My opinion and $4.83 will get you a latte at Starbucks, but I would spool the Penn with a few rounds of mono backing, 300yds 20lb power pro braid and top it off with 20lb mono for kings and bull reds. Spool the spinning reel with 10-12lb Ande clear mono for Spanish, Flounder, blues, pompano and slot reds.