Advice on spanish macks

[HerringKing]

Can anyone give me advice on catching Spanish macks from boat? We will be inshore within 3 miles.

[bulletbob]

Good luck finding them... i don't think enough of them come as far north as NJ to find large concentrations.. Some are caught up here every year, mixed with other Mackerel/Tuna type species... You will have better luck targeting Bonito, but most of those will be out further than 3 miles. at least for now... Here's some good info- Pretty much like targeting most of the other Tuna/Mackerel types... small, shiny, fast moving lures on light line, watch for birds etc...


https://www.theonlinefisherman.com/spanish-mackerel/10-spanish-mackerel-tips

[dales529]

Agree with Bob here, they are mixed in with the bonito and that action is 20 miles out however there have been a few caught inshore but that is just luck. If you want to target them inshore you probably have to troll. We had shots of them in the 80's and 90's and 2000's on the 7 mile "inshore lumps" so they have been here before and very happy to see them again. Good luck

[HerringKing]

I keep reading reports that they're getting them off the beach and in the inlets

[frugalfisherman]

Last year we caught a lot while fluking on the J2 but I haven,t seen any so far this year.

[captmark]

We have been getting them on and off at the Klondike and Augies Lump the last couple of weeks BUT you have to weed thru the Blues its about a 15 to 1 ratio and the same with the Bonita use small 0 or 00 Clark spoons with a small drail they are there just gotta work them.

[jmurr711]

what captmark said troll with little spoons until ya find em, once ya find em throw some spearing over & cast jigs/tsunami split tails see if ya can get em to stick with ya on the drift. Light tackle & great eating

[dakota560]

Back in the 90's used to catch them just as Capt Mark said, trolling Clark spoons with drail weights and or small feathers. Key was to troll pretty far back and use light fluoro leader. We'd start at the buoy off MI and head south. Had some real good trips. Great eating fish but like ling don't freeze well at all, eat them fresh. Good luck.

[dakota560]

FYI, Axel Carlson reef would be a good place to check out as well. Look for bait, birds, fish splashing etc, could be bonito or Spanish. Should be fish around with these temps. I'd steer clear of SRR, if there's blues around they'll cut off your spoons and feathers. Don't think you have to run that far.

[tjd24]

We picked a few spanish today just off the Long Branch beach.
They were mixed with small blues.

Caught them trolling "0" Clark spoons with 3oz drail then jigging 007's.

Dirty water from beach out a few miles.

[nsc_tpt]

Got any Pictures....

[tjd24]

Yes, in my phone.
Don't know how to post them.

Fish were 18 -20".

[HerringKing]

Thanks for your help guys. I got into the Spanish macks today trolling the rigs you suggested.