Spanish mackerel in Florida
Meet the species
Scientific name
Scomberomorous maculatus
Overview
Prevalent throughout Florida waters: inshore, offshore and nearshore. Frequently found over grass beds and reefs. Absent from north Florida waters in winter.
Typical size
Up to 36 inches
At a glance
- Peak months
- May
- Regions
- Panhandle, big bend, tampa bay, northeast, southwest, central east
- Water
- Saltwater
- Bait
- Live scaled sardines/threadfin/menhaden & chum slicks
Florida fishing record
- Weight
- 12 lb
- Location
- Ft. Pierce
- Date
- Nov 27, 1984
- Angler
- John F. Colligan
- Type
- Florida state record
Record catch notes
12.0 lb; by john F. Colligan; on 11/27/1984; at ft. Pierce
When to fish
Peak months
May
Good months
January–december
Season notes
Best-time months from FWC Where-to-Fish: peak from seasonal WTF bullets (n sea 14, n yr 0, thresh> 6). Peak may good jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov & dec.
Where to fish
Florida regions
Panhandle, big bend, tampa bay, northeast, southwest & central east
Water
Saltwater
Habitat
Prevalent throughout Florida waters: inshore, offshore and nearshore. Frequently found over grass beds and reefs. Absent from north Florida waters in winter.
How to catch
Fast troll or cast shiny lures, slow-troll/drift live baits on light stinger & watch diving birds
Bait
Live scaled sardines/threadfin/menhaden & chum slicks
Lures
Spoons, Got-Cha, mackerel trees, chrome lipless cranks — fished very fast & light wire or hard mono leader
Videos
- How to catch spanish mackerel (the easy way) · Open original
- Simple rig to catch spanish mackerel off ANY fishing pier · Open original
- 2 best ways to catch spanish mackerel from piers · Open original
- How to catch spanish mackerel tips and tutorial (beach, pier, and boat) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
Sources
- Myfwc.com (3 pages)
- Catchafloridamemory.com
- Floridasportsman.com (3 pages)
Fishing videos from local voices
- Out N back fishing: bonito sushi, barracuda, fishing, spearfishing, refreshed, destin, FL & offshore
- Rad reeling: best jetty fishing in Florida (3 day camp & catch adventure)
- Salt water riders: catching spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper in tampa bay
- Tampa bay saltwater fishing: FULL MOON daytime mangrove snapper fishing & south Florida saltwater bridge fishing
Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.