2.2.23 Good news

[seabird]

Checked the FWC red tide chart today...much decreased levels.

Fished Bellaire yesterday..lots of small pins and puffer present.

Happy Ground Hog Day!

[carlf]

Yep, good news for us.
But its still hanging on farther south, which does not bode well for this spring and summer.

[stuckintherocks]

Lots of 8-12lb Bonita on ssp Tuesday mornin.. landed 2 missed 2, all caught on gold spoon. Incoming tide around noon. School of hundreds swam down the pier then off into the open water

[stuckintherocks]

[Mackerelman]

The Macks should make their Yearly Appearance within the next two weeks.

[tears143]

Feb 2, 2023 15:26:53 GMT -5 stuckintherocks said:

Lots of 8-12lb Bonita on ssp Tuesday mornin.. landed 2 missed 2, all caught on gold spoon. Incoming tide around noon. School of hundreds swam down the pier then off into the open water

thanks for the report buddy!

[carlf]

Nice! Inshore tuna!

[kingmackerelman]

Feb 2, 2023 16:41:33 GMT -5 Mackerelman said:

The Macks should make their Yearly Appearance within the next two weeks.

careful mackerelman, your gonna make a certain someone upset with that claim 

[Flatsrunner]

Never caught a bonita before, do you use the same technique as you would when fishing for mackerel?

[Mackerelman]

Feb 3, 2023 10:50:38 GMT -5 Flatsrunner said:

Never caught a bonita before, do you use the same technique as you would when fishing for mackerel?

Yes you do. I have caught a 28" Bonito on a Squid Spoon a few year back while fishing for the Macks. 
When you hook them, they love to swim & swim hard, so hold on to Your Rod.

[Mackerelman]

Feb 3, 2023 10:50:38 GMT -5 Flatsrunner said:

Never caught a bonita before, do you use the same technique as you would when fishing for mackerel?

For some reason & You can check on My Past Posts, the Macks usually return on the 2nd week of February around Valentine's Day. 

[calcolater]

Feb 3, 2023 11:35:09 GMT -5 Mackerelman said:

Feb 3, 2023 10:50:38 GMT -5 Flatsrunner said:

Never caught a bonita before, do you use the same technique as you would when fishing for mackerel?

For some reason & You can check on My Past Posts, the Macks usually return on the 2nd week of February around Valentine's Day. 

Doesn’t it depend more on the water temperature fluctuation?
Once the water temps start to hit 64-68 that’s when I’ve seen the runs start. So correct me if I’m wrong, but there should be some action this weekend potentially.
I’ll be finding out of course this weekend lol.

Sunday looks promising minus the rain they are forecasting.
What do y’all think?

[Mackerelman]

Feb 3, 2023 16:17:40 GMT -5 calcolater said:

Feb 3, 2023 11:35:09 GMT -5 Mackerelman said:

For some reason & You can check on My Past Posts, the Macks usually return on the 2nd week of February around Valentine's Day. 

Doesn’t it depend more on the water temperature fluctuation?
Once the water temps start to hit 64-68 that’s when I’ve seen the runs start. So correct me if I’m wrong, but there should be some action this weekend potentially.
I’ll be finding out of course this weekend lol.

Sunday looks promising minus the rain they are forecasting.
What do y’all think?

You are Correct Calcolater.
You have the Water Temperatures Correct. 
The Macks -(if like in Past Years), will be here in the Next 2 Weeks depending on the Air & Water Temperatures.
If it Air Temperatures are warm this week like the Weather Forecasters have predicted, it could happen in the Next Few Days.
I usually Fish on the 14th & 15th of February & I usually collect My Macks which usually will range from 20" to 25".
The Larger Macks usually come in 1st.
Any Reports that I get, I will report Immediately.
After the Bonitos come in 1st then the Macks will follow shortly after.

[stuckintherocks]

Feb 3, 2023 16:17:40 GMT -5 calcolater said:

Feb 3, 2023 11:35:09 GMT -5 Mackerelman said:

For some reason & You can check on My Past Posts, the Macks usually return on the 2nd week of February around Valentine's Day. 

Doesn’t it depend more on the water temperature fluctuation?
Once the water temps start to hit 64-68 that’s when I’ve seen the runs start. So correct me if I’m wrong, but there should be some action this weekend potentially.
I’ll be finding out of course this weekend lol.

Sunday looks promising minus the rain they are forecasting.
What do y’all think?

I checked before goin the water temp was 64 that day, went checkin to see if there was some early Mack action, tons of bait green backs and threadfins up and down the pier, fished all the bait balls hard with no Mack’s but that’s how I found the Bonita at the end.

[Mackerelman]

Another thing to watch for when You are hunting the Macks.
In combination of the Water Temperature around 64- 68 Degrees & the Daytime Air Temperature averaging above 75 Degrees, watch for the winds coming from the South, Southeast & Southwest.
That will bring the Macks up from the South.
In the late Fall or Early Winter, the Winds & Colder Weather here in Tampa Bay comes from the North & that Drives the Macks South.
It's kind of like the Snowbirds from North of Us coming to Florida in October for warmer weather in the Winter.
Then the Snowbirds in the Spring go back up North when the Weather warms back up in the North.
Macks in My Opinion are the same way.

[bluerunner]

I see spoons get mentioned for the spanish but when I was using them, and the gotcha plug, I couldn't really get them to work well being high up on the bridge. Does the heavier spoons make that much of a difference, or do you rig them up differently? I would let mine sink but it would still rise to the top of the water real fast and would jump out of the water if you start to reel it too fast.

[Mackerelman]

Here is My Way of Catching Macks
Needed Items & Information:
1. You need to use 30lb. Test Fishing Line - I use Trilene Clear or Green or Ande Clear - You can use a Braided line but I don't. Mackerel normally swims near the Bottom of the water. When You use Braided Line, it breaks very easy if You go across a Rock or Concrete in the Water.
2. Tie a 3 oz. or 4oz. Egg Weight with the swivels at each end of the weight with 8' to 12' of 40lb. Fluorocarbon Leader - Do Not Use a Steel Leader. You can use a Steel Leader but You will get less Bites.
3. Tie a #0(2 /1/2") Size Squid Spoon to the end of Your Leader. A Squid Spoon-(Made by Clark Spoons)- You can use a regular Clark Spoon with the Bead but I don't. Many Do.

Fishing for Mackerel:
Out-going Tide
1. Cast out Your Line.
2. Begin Reeling Quickly for about 4 seconds and Stop for 3 seconds - The Weight will drop with the Spoon Following the Weight. Once You feel the weight hit the bottom. start reeling again.
3. Repeat the Process until You You Retrieve Your Spoon or if a Mackerel Hits on the Spoon & You Hook Him; then Reel in Your Mackerel quickly before the Dolphins get It.

In-coming Tide
1. Cast out Your Line.
2. Begin Reeling Quickly for about 4 seconds and Slow down for 3 seconds but do not stop. Continue the Process.
Note: If You stop, You may get snagged.
3. Repeat the Process until You Retrieve Your Spoon or if a Mackerel Hits on the Spoon then Reel in Your Mackerel quickly before the Dolphins get It.

NOTE: The Up & Down Motion and the Spinning of the Spoon is what Attracts the Mackerel because it gives off a Flash in the Water as it spins. It gets the Mackerel off the Bottom and Attacking the Spoon thinking it is Food. Many times providing the Mackerel are there, The Mackerel will hit as soon as You Stop Reeling. Sometimes the Mackerel will hit when You Start Reeling Again. I, many times, have had Mackerel Hit the Spoon as soon as the Spoon Hits the Water.
Good Luck & Tight Lines

[stuckintherocks]

Feb 5, 2023 0:27:15 GMT -5 Mackerelman said:

Here is My Way of Catching Macks
Needed Items & Information:
1. You need to use 30lb. Test Fishing Line - I use Trilene Clear or Green or Ande Clear - You can use a Braided line but I don't. Mackerel normally swims near the Bottom of the water. When You use Braided Line, it breaks very easy if You go across a Rock or Concrete in the Water.
2. Tie a 3 oz. or 4oz. Egg Weight with the swivels at each end of the weight with 8' to 12' of 40lb. Fluorocarbon Leader - Do Not Use a Steel Leader. You can use a Steel Leader but You will get less Bites.
3. Tie a #0(2 /1/2") Size Squid Spoon to the end of Your Leader. A Squid Spoon-(Made by Clark Spoons)- You can use a regular Clark Spoon with the Bead but I don't. Many Do.

Fishing for Mackerel:
Out-going Tide
1. Cast out Your Line.
2. Begin Reeling Quickly for about 4 seconds and Stop for 3 seconds - The Weight will drop with the Spoon Following the Weight. Once You feel the weight hit the bottom. start reeling again.
3. Repeat the Process until You You Retrieve Your Spoon or if a Mackerel Hits on the Spoon & You Hook Him; then Reel in Your Mackerel quickly before the Dolphins get It.

In-coming Tide
1. Cast out Your Line.
2. Begin Reeling Quickly for about 4 seconds and Slow down for 3 seconds but do not stop. Continue the Process.
Note: If You stop, You may get snagged.
3. Repeat the Process until You Retrieve Your Spoon or if a Mackerel Hits on the Spoon then Reel in Your Mackerel quickly before the Dolphins get It.

NOTE: The Up & Down Motion and the Spinning of the Spoon is what Attracts the Mackerel because it gives off a Flash in the Water as it spins. It gets the Mackerel off the Bottom and Attacking the Spoon thinking it is Food. Many times providing the Mackerel are there, The Mackerel will hit as soon as You Stop Reeling. Sometimes the Mackerel will hit when You Start Reeling Again. I, many times, have had Mackerel Hit the Spoon as soon as the Spoon Hits the Water.
Good Luck & Tight Lines

Very nice… I like fishin em a lil different I use a 30lb mainline to 1oz egg sinker between two swivels for the incoming tide, shorten the leader to about 6and a half or 7 foot, 20-30lb mono leader and any half ounce gold or silver spoon, I’ll use a 2oz egg sinker for out going tide. Let it sink to bottom or near bottom depending on if there’s rocks or not then viscously jig it to the surface and repeat the process, I get a lot of hits on the slower flutter while it sinks and the jig up the water column, and had many days catching dozens of mackerel while the fellas usin the float or bubble rigs only pull up a couple.. also had days where it was vise versa and the float and bubble rigs were slayin while I couldn’t get a bite.. can’t be scared to move around, try many different methods and find what’s workin for that day.

[carlf]

A spoons (or straw, crappie jig, spec rig, etc) behind a bubble is good some days too. Or white 1/2 oz bullet jigs.
Or flat line a small live white bait or greenie.
Just depends what mood they are in and how aggressive they are feeding.

[bluerunner]

Thanks a lot of good info. We did catch some macks when we went, but we were also using live shrimp and green backs (which ever was in massive groups under the bridge) as well. I'll have to check out one of those squid spoons. I also wouldn't have thought to use that heavy of a weight, but I'll bring my big boy rod/reel with me this time for it.

EDIT:  Was thinking of going to the pier at end of Feb or beginning of March.  What will be biting around that time?  I see a full moon is coming in at beginning of March.  From this thread, seems like the Macks will be arriving around then.  Mangroove snappers going to be in town or what?  Really hate those guys and want to fry up as many as I can.  What about pompano?  

[stuckintherocks]

Feb 5, 2023 12:01:37 GMT -5 bluerunner said:

Thanks a lot of good info. We did catch some macks when we went, but we were also using live shrimp and green backs (which ever was in massive groups under the bridge) as well. I'll have to check out one of those squid spoons. I also wouldn't have thought to use that heavy of a weight, but I'll bring my big boy rod/reel with me this time for it.

EDIT:  Was thinking of going to the pier at end of Feb or beginning of March.  What will be biting around that time?  I see a full moon is coming in at beginning of March.  From this thread, seems like the Macks will be arriving around then.  Mangroove snappers going to be in town or what?  Really hate those guys and want to fry up as many as I can.  What about pompano?  

Early To Mid March my favorite time to fish the piers, all sorts of fish around, freeline cut greenies under the pier at night and you never know what you’ll hook in to.. speckled trout, blue fish, jacks, lady fish, Mack’s, tarpon, even seen triple tail.. soak big cut baits for black tips, durin the day mostly jus fish one rod for Mack’s,jacks, and pompano… mosty because of pelicans/boat traffic makin things more difficult but usually have great luck with macks at sunrise and sunset, pompano mid day.