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Post by thecatfishchannel on Jan 27, 2017 19:43:58 GMT -5
Hi all! I'm fairly new to the area (moved from Panama City to Tampa back in October) and wanted to know what your favorite lures are for Spanish Mackerel at the Skyway.
Back in Panama City we were partial to Gotcha Plugs, but it seems like it's real easy to get caught on structure around the Skyway.
So, what lures do you like?
And when are the best times to target Spanish off the Skyway? I've been itching to get my mackerel on, but am not sure how fruitful the attempt will be in the winter.
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Post by Mackerelman on Jan 27, 2017 20:55:31 GMT -5
Welcome to the Forum & Good Luck. The Best Time to Target them is Just Before & Right at Sunup & a couple hours before Sunset. Just Remember, You need a Moving Tide to catch Them. I have a Technique on Bringing them in Up in "STICKY - Useful Links - Add yours also" Section Titled -"HOW TO CATCH MACKEREL USING A SPOON". You can also Free-line a Greenback with No Weight. Here are the Best Lures to Use to Catch Spanish Mackerel.      Squidspoon Clarkspoon Got-Cha Plugs Straw Lures Bubble Rig of Float with a Straw Lure |
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Post by tristan on Jan 27, 2017 21:21:36 GMT -5
I knew you could count on the Mackerel Man!
I've seen people catch macks on the 'Speck Rig' sold at Wally World for a bit over a buck, and another guy caught a bunch right beside me on white crappie jigs.
I was amazed.
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Post by Mackerelman on Jan 27, 2017 21:25:59 GMT -5
I have also Seen them Caught on Doc's Goofy Jigs.   Doc's Goofy Jig Doc's Goofy Jig with a Teaser |
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Post by thecatfishchannel on Jan 27, 2017 21:52:37 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info! Are there any Spanish still around, or is it better if I just wait until March to try?
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Post by havetofish on Jan 27, 2017 22:02:17 GMT -5
Think Flashy and Fast. I once caught a mack by accident on a long shank hook.
If they are feeding its easy, if not then choices and presentation matter.
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Post by Mackerelman on Jan 27, 2017 22:12:09 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info! Are there any Spanish still around, or is it better if I just wait until March to try? Yes, they started coming through just before the Cold Front came through. Next weekend would probably be Your best bet. Plus, Warmer Temperatures then. |
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Post by Mackerelman on Jan 27, 2017 22:14:32 GMT -5
In this area, February is usually the Month the Macks come through as Long as the Water Temperatures stay above 63 degrees.
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Post by Mackerelman on Jan 27, 2017 22:34:15 GMT -5
thecatfishchannel
Go to the Thread: "Skyway 1/22 Windy Mackerel Slaying" & see what thereheis caught last week.
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Post by jeremiahisbrown on Feb 5, 2017 11:58:39 GMT -5
GOTCHA PLUGS. Red/white, and Chartreuse/White. buy yourself 3 of each color and either some short wire leaders or some 30lb-40lb fluorocarbon leader material. You'll be glad you did
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ft86tt
Rod Polisher
Posts: 122 
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Post by ft86tt on Feb 5, 2017 22:51:49 GMT -5
Spoons and Sabikis for me. BTW, liked your fishing channel on YT!  |
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Post by thecatfishchannel on Feb 6, 2017 18:36:22 GMT -5
ft86tt, thank you for checking out my YouTube channel. Hopefully I will get some nice Spanish Mackerel footage here shortly.
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Post by detroitd on Feb 6, 2017 21:31:01 GMT -5
Our friend Sircatfish (appropriate) put a link up to a vid on how to modify the Gotchas. skywaypiers.proboards.com/thread/3860/gotcha-slinger-meSomeone put up a step-by-step photo series on modifying them as well but can't quite find it here on the boards. I'm not a huge fan of Gotcha plugs because of snags on casting and structures, but I do acknowledge they are very effective. Removing the forward treble or perhaps modifying to single hooks can help. Depends on how much time and effort one wants to put into it. Just wish they were not so $$$ so we wouldn't have this discussion. Them things break the bank losing them! |
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Post by detroitd on Feb 6, 2017 21:32:21 GMT -5
ft86tt, thank you for checking out my YouTube channel. Hopefully I will get some nice Spanish Mackerel footage here shortly. Ditto on your channel. Nicely done. D |
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Post by montylfl on Feb 7, 2017 22:24:07 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info! Are there any Spanish still around, or is it better if I just wait until March to try? 65 degree or warmer water is best. Strange winter. Hot times in this are are easy to remember. St patty's day for the spring run and Columbus Day for the fall run. Although you can catch them year round. |
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Post by YodaFisherman on Feb 8, 2017 9:21:56 GMT -5
Here are the Best Lures to Use to Catch Spanish Mackerel. Bubble Rig of Float with a Straw Lure Mackerelman, This is a great lure. I had a young'un kicking my butt catching Macks off the Gulf Pier at Ft Desoto and when I saw what he was throwing my first thought was "you got to be kidding me?!" I now use these from the piers on the Outer Banks for Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish to the amusement of others on the pier. I will mix in some of the brightly colored straws as well. |
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Post by Mackerelman on Feb 8, 2017 9:59:06 GMT -5
Here are the Best Lures to Use to Catch Spanish Mackerel. Bubble Rig of Float with a Straw Lure Mackerelman, This is a great lure. I had a young'un kicking my butt catching Macks off the Gulf Pier at Ft Desoto and when I saw what he was throwing my first thought was "you got to be kidding me?!" I now use these from the piers on the Outer Banks for Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish to the amusement of others on the pier. I will mix in some of the brightly colored straws as well. I Totally Agree with You. A Few Years back on the SS Pier I saw 2 Guys using them to Catch Macks with. They were Slaying the Macks with that setup. |
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Post by tristan on Feb 8, 2017 12:08:24 GMT -5
How is that bubble rig supposed to be fished? Cast as far as you can, and reel as fast as you can?
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Post by YodaFisherman on Feb 8, 2017 12:32:07 GMT -5
How is that bubble rig supposed to be fished? Cast as far as you can, and reel as fast as you can? That's what I do, mostly. I sometimes will add a little water in the bubble to give it more weight to cast farther and I will twitch it a bit as I retrieve. Sometimes it's the stop in retrieve that gets the strike. |
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Post by Mackerelman on Feb 8, 2017 15:00:00 GMT -5
How is that bubble rig supposed to be fished? Cast as far as you can, and reel as fast as you can? That's what I do, mostly. I sometimes will add a little water in the bubble to give it more weight to cast farther and I will twitch it a bit as I retrieve. Sometimes it's the stop in retrieve that gets the strike. I sometimes put a Small Weight on the Line about One Foot from the Hook for a Little More Added Distance & Twitch it. Twitching is the Best Way to get the Fish to Strike. And like YodaFisherman said, When It Stops, that is when You get the Strike. It is just like when I am Using a Spoon. When I stop Reeling, is Usually when the Mack attacks the Spoon. And Don't Reel it in Fast unless Flipper or Jaws is Chasing it. Some Guys last Summer were Fishing with a Regular Red Bobber & a Balloon instead of the Clear Bobber. They were getting all kinds of Strikes as well as Fish Caught. That was one of the Days when the Macks did not want the Spoon, Gotcha Plug or even a Live & Tasty Greenback. What is Boils down to, "Is Getting the Fish's Attention".  "Hey Fish, Eat This !"  |
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Post by tristan on Feb 8, 2017 18:53:48 GMT -5
Somehow I'm not good enough to see Flipper or Jaws when they attack my baits. I've been wondering if they've got Stealth technology or something.  Seems like Mack season is nearly upon us. Woo, hoo! |
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Post by Mackerelman on Feb 8, 2017 19:49:01 GMT -5
Somehow I'm not good enough to see Flipper or Jaws when they attack my baits. I've been wondering if they've got Stealth technology or something. Seems like Mack season is nearly upon us. Woo, hoo! Tristan: We will see this Weekend. I will be out there to Bring My Maximum Home to Eat.   |
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Post by YodaFisherman on Feb 8, 2017 20:20:21 GMT -5
Somehow I'm not good enough to see Flipper or Jaws when they attack my baits. I've been wondering if they've got Stealth technology or something. Seems like Mack season is nearly upon us. Woo, hoo! Stealing baits is something I can deal with it's when they steel my catch that I loose it. lol |
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Post by tears143 on Feb 8, 2017 22:37:00 GMT -5
How is that bubble rig supposed to be fished? Cast as far as you can, and reel as fast as you can? Try to make as much noise as you can with the bubble.. or float. Add a little water in it so you can rip and spash it on top of the water. Stop sometime. It suppose to make a lot of noise to get the mack attention and then when they see the straw thinking it's a glass minnow and eat it. Every see a feeding freezy with macks? This lure suppose to make the same noises to mimic it. |
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"Hey Fish, Eat This !" 
