Spanish Mackerel FishingSpanish mackerel fishing is fast and furious when they are hitting on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The Spanish mackerel is not your average looking fish. Its sides are silver in color with rows of orange spots and its back is green. They have large, very sharp teeth in both jaws. Spanish prefer shallow water and are frequently found on sandy bottomed areas in between ten to forty feet of water. They also can be found as far out as eighty feet of water.These carnivorous fish are voracious eaters and will feed whenever the opportunity is presented. They generally feed on smaller fish as well as the occasional squid or shrimp. Menhaden are favorites of the Spanish mackerel. The most effective method for Spanish mackerel fishing is trolling in a small vessel. They hunt their prey by sight so their preference is for clear water. When the water is 72 degrees, the fish are abundant. That temperature seems to be the optimum for catching Spanish mackerel. Depending upon the speed and direction of the wind, they can be found right off shore or a few miles from the coastline.
When trolling for Spanish mackerel, it is beneficial to use a #1 Clark Spoon. A 25 pound mono leader that is 30 feet in length works quite well. Use three ounce weights and #1 planers. A #4 treble hook works great when baited with live menhaden. It is best to troll your line from the surface to about six feet deep. Watch for birds that are diving to the water and feeding. The birds will assist you in finding schools of Spanish mackerel. Once you have located a school, troll around its perimeter. You should be able to easily pick off a few from the outer edges. Do not travel at more than five knots as you will spook the fish and not catch any. Surf fishing for Spanish mackerel is often productive, provided the water is clear. When the water is perfect for them, you can see the fish jumping out of the water. It doesn’t have to be calm, just clear. If the water isn’t clear, there isn’t any mackerel. That is just the cold, hard truth. Probably the favorite place to fish for Spanish mackerel in the Gulf Shores area is the Gulf State Park Pier. Check the board at the entrance to see if they are biting. A rod with a lively tip works very well but it must have the strength to endure casting a few ounces of weight. A twelve or fifteen pound test with a shiny, silver lure attached directly to it is quite effective for catching Spanish mackerel. Adding a leader can be detrimental. The fish are sight feeders and will avoid the wire leader. A direct tie is best. Now that you have caught been Spanish mackerel fishing and kept some for dinner, you will need to cook them. This recipe will delight everyone and it is super easy to make. You will need: • 4 Spanish mackerel fillets • 2 slices of thick cut bacon • 1 stick of butter (not margarine or spread) • 1 tablespoon of freshly diced onion • 1 clove of diced garlic • Salt and pepper • Paprika • Cajun seasoning Cut the bacon slices into one inch pieces and fry them in a heavy skillet. Cook them to the texture that you prefer. Remove the bacon from the pan but leave the bacon grease. Season the fillets with salt, pepper, paprika and some Cajun seasoning. Cook the fillets on medium in the bacon grease for about five minutes on each side. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan on medium heat. Once melted, add the onion and garlic. Sauté them until they are cooked and the onion is translucent. Toss in the bacon pieces and shut the burner off. Take the fillets out of the pan and rest them on a paper towel for a moment before plating. When you put the fillets on the serving dish, drizzle some of the butter sauce on them. Put the remainder of the sauce into a boat for those that like extra buttery flavor. Return to Gulf Shores Travel Guide Home Page New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
Subscribe in a reader