Fishing for Spanish mackerel

The mackerel are biting well at the passes along the Panhandle. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to fish with Captains Brant Peacher and Lance Powers.

Our first stop was Pensacola Pass. The fish were in a feeding frenzy. Spanish mackerel were schooling in an area several acres, if not a half mile, in size. They were feeding on rain minnow.

We can see where they were in two ways. They were breaking the water at the surface, and also were under some small birds. There is a good indication that there are feeding fish when the birds are diving in a concentrated area.

We simply eased the boat into the school and casted spec rigs into the fish. The key is to work the bait fast.

These Spanish show up in June and hang around all summer. They are in an area that is sheltered from the Gulf. That makes it accessible to most boats.

Spanish are smaller than their cousin the king mackerel. However, they are better to keep and eat.

These fish are a blast on light tackle.