Fishing with lures for Spanish Mackerel 2024

Spanish Mackerel are definitely one of the most fun fish to catch from the pier, surf, or boat; offering great fishing action for all ages with their quick strikes and great taste but can also be one of the most frustrating. With their razor-sharp teeth, it seems just about any pound test line doesn't stand a chance when they're around and fired up, swarming like piranhas. They are famous for cutting lines, being responsible for probably millions of dollars in lost fishing lures, bait, and tackle due to those teeth. With this in mind, nothing less than a 30lb test leader line is recommended. Often times they will seem to attack pretty much anything small that moves in the water. So, if your tackle setup includes a swivel connecting main line to leader, you should be careful to try keeping your swivel above the water and going with a longer leader. Going with a steel leader can and does work very well but can also tend to make the fish more hesitant to strike due to visibility, so your mileage will definitely vary.

Spanish Mackerel typically feed on fast moving minnows and sardine like bait right around the 3-inch range, so it's important when fishing with lures to have the right size, color, and "match the hatch". Spanish Mackerel tend to love flashy, fast-moving bait, so having a lure that catches their eye and can be worked quickly is also important. Here are our fishing lures that can get you going on the Spanish Mackerel.

Hexy Minnows

Our Hexy Minnows can be fished in a variety of ways, making it an excellent lure for Spanish Mackerel. With its slender shape and bushy mylar glow in low light tail, the Hexy Minnow can match the look and reflection of fast-moving small bait fish. One great way to fish it is a fast but steady "reel n jerk" retrieve that allows the lure to dart quickly side to side mimicking fleeing bait fish providing an irresistible presentation. Another method is to cast out to where the fish are and allow the lure to sink. Once to the bottom or at a depth the Spanish Mackerel seem to be, we vertical jig quickly up in succession, working the Hexy as though it's a bait fish escaping frantically towards the surface. Repeating this sinking and jigging action is a great way to entice just about any fish to bite. 

Castman Casting Minnows

The Castman Casting Minnows are also a great choice when it comes to Spanish

Mackerel lures. They are a bit heavier than the Hexy Minnow which doesn't allow for similar finesse retrieving.  The tradeoff is longer casting distance and a treble hook for a stickier hook ups. Either a steady quick retrieve keeping the lure just off the surface, or rapid vertical jigging after allowing it to sink works great with these. They provide an extremely flashy presentation which consistently triggers strikes.

Hopefully these tips can help you during your next session and you have a better sense of ammo needed to catch Spanish Mackerel when working lures.

Once landed, handle these toothy critters by grabbing by the tail and right behind the pectoral fin to keep them in line. They can get a bit crazy so it's important to keep those teeth away from exposed hands and fingers.

Using any of these lures alone will definitely land some Spanish for you. But no real Spanish Mackerel guide in 2024 will go without mentioning a "Bubble Rig". 

A Bubble Rig, as depicted below, is essentially a plastic bubble float filled with water to enhance casting distance. It is then tied to your main line and leader line with swivels on each end with your lure at the end of the leader. The leader line is typically longer than usual to allow the lure some distance from the bubble. You can find these at Bass Pro or online at shops like Amazon. A Google search for "Tough Bubble" will also get you in the right direction.

Don't forget the pliers to pry your jigs back from those teeth. This is definitely one of those you won't want to Grab by the Lip! Happy Spanish Mackerel hunting and let us know if you have any questions or comments.

- Colmants Team