Make sure no one is behind you when you cast. (Bogue Inlet Pier - Emerald Isle, NC) 12,695 views May 18, 2019 130 Dislike Share Save Carolina Shore Fishing 6.36K subscribers Here's how to catch. You can find them at the local $1.25 store. My biggest thrill while saltwater fishing was on the pier in Wilmington. These large Spanish are often bycatch when targeting king mackerel. Learning how to create this rig correctly won't leave you accidentally tangling and hitting yourself or others around you. Measure about 10" from the knot to where you will form another small loop and pinch it just as you did in step 3 above. Many crews also like to skip them in the spread. Measure out about 10" to 11" of line and form a small loop. Check the "stickey", might have the way to make them, I'm sure the www has info too. While king mackerel are found in the Caribbean and all the way down to Brazil, ours come from the USA. 23 miles of the beach east of the Colorado River is open to vehicles. Just keep casting it and hoping you find the fish. Mustad sells some spanish rigs with the clear tubing over the mylar. Amazon.com: spanish mackerel lures 1-48 of 444 results for "spanish mackerel lures" RESULTS Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Spanish have very sharp teeth and will cut you off easily if you dont use a heavy or wire leader, but even with heavy monofilament or fluorocarbon leader, you will occasionally be cut off by those sharp teeth. Mark "Hollywood" Johnson of FloridaKeysFunFishing.com is back to teach us the ultimate Spanish mackerel rig that catches macks from Texas to the Carolinas and greatly decreases your chance of getting broken off. It's personal preference. Spanish mackerel love a variety of small prey and lures that mimic glass minnows, sardines, plichards and other bait easily fools them with a fast retrieve. When you tie the last one on, strip off about 2.5' and cut. The Okaloosa County Pier is an excellent place to catch Spanish. Now I know the deal! Freshwater Another technique popular for catching Spanish uses mackerel tree, Christmas tree or straw rigs. The Sabiki Rig is basically a series of hooks tied to a main line. I have personally killed some spinning reels on Spanish mackerel when I first started fishing the pier. You only need one to start. king mackerel to earn first place in the 2011 Kings of the Coast Pier King . Getting a bite every cast is not an uncommon occurrence. (Regular or sipping straws. Prize money King Mackerel (prize money based on 40 entries): 1 st Place = $1000 Gaff Man = $50. Kings are usually a bit behind on this move up the coast, but they should be following before long. This particular Spanish mackerel rig can be used both ways. One of the most popular for years is the Got-Cha plug. It is quick. 2oz won't sink fast enough. You can continue making your own or for about $8.00 each you can buy them ready made. An interesting side note is that Crump gaffed Davis king. If you ever see a tight ball of glass minnows or other bait put a gotcha or straw rig in the middle and jig up and down. Spanish are little speed demons that are very fun on light tackle. Now I'm wondering if other techniques to catch Spanish are used besides the jigging trees and if there are other things used on the trees besides the gold hooks. Dislike Share Beach Bomber. Boat fishermen had noted they were catching kings closer in and everyone knew it was only a matter of time before a pier king angler scored. The record for Ocean Crest Pier is a 53 pound, 6-ounce king caught by Bo Crump on May 7, 1998. Also, do you ever have more than one spanish hit at once. 6. Spanish max out around 36 long and 12 Lb for a record-sized Spanish. A lot more popular to eat compared to their big cousin the King mackerel. I recommend that you do. Usually 7 hooks. 3 rd Place = 20%. The action began with whiting (sea mullet, Va. mullet) and blowfish (puffers) in the surf zone and Atlantic bonito off the beaches. Categories: Fresh Fish, Seafood, Whole Fish. With whatever lure youre using until you spot the Spanish mackerel it will be blind casting. A forum community dedicated to fishing and boat owners and enthusiasts along the East Coast and Gulf area. Nothing worse than losing a big Spanish. 3. Usually anywhere from 6 to 10 hooks tied in a series with some sort of flash material on the hooks. Fishing pliers are best but any pliers will do. The Ultimate Spanish Mackerel Rig (Catches Mackerel Anywhere) Related categories: Fishing Tips, Pier and Jetty Fishing Tips, WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: 10-25-20; Subscribe. A pool noodle. I highly recommend using clear monofilament. But there's one simple tip to help you make this decision and I've been using this tip recently to catch a ton of Spanish mackerel from my favorite pier. He gave me a little pinfish lure that was white with a red head. I landed a 24" Spanish Mackerel that weighed 5 pounds. If the Macs aren't on the bite for straws, I stick with a heavy casting plug called a "Gotcha." Both. That makes it easier to tie a knot but I prefer not to have the hook that close to the main line. PointClickFish.com is a network of captains, anglers, companies, and avid outdoorsmen and women. You can also fish for larger ax handle Spanish mackerel using live or dead bait. 2. Now this is what I and some others do. Fishermen debate the preferred color for the lures, but almost universally agree the hooks should be gold on a Got-Cha plug and many days this does indeed make a difference. These are all good things. Take a 3 oz. It is considered huge when the weight of 9-10 pounds of Spanish Mackerel exceeds 2-3 pounds, while little when the weight of 2-3 pounds. Once you reach the bottom work the lure back almost up to the surface in fast erratic pops. We've got tips on that too. Ocean Crest Pier is now open, but Oak Island Pier is not yet. Spanish Mackerels are considered to be coastal pelagic fin fish, and they can grow to enormous sizes. Share this: Details. I tie 7 hooks on my Sabiki Rig. As you place the hooks, wrap the line around the noodle. Fresh Mackerel (Whole) $ 5.99 ea.5 to .75 lb average size. Spanish mackerel have already moved up the N.C. Coast to the Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras areas and are pleasing fishermen there too. Some fishermen also occasionally jerk their rod to make the lure dart. To cast and retrieve a light lure, go with an eight-foot-long medium to medium-light rod and 2500 spinning reel. For a leader, you will be wanting to either use lighter seven-strand wire or very heavy 80 100 Lb monofilament or fluorocarbon. They have a somewhat firm texture that is not super flaky. Many of the businesses that were closed or limited are beginning to reopen or be open longer hours and fishermen are taking advantage. Fishermens favorite lures for Spanish macks vary greatly. Chance are good that you will lose the rig by a shark, a ray or by the line fraying as your catching those toothy fish long before the line breaks at the pinch point. 4. Tie a swivel to the end of the monofilament line. You have made your first Sabiki Rig at about a cost of about $2.95 or less. The 3-man rules committee and weigh master will have all final decisions in case there is a dispute. They probably hold the Top 5 fish targeted on the pier. Just For Fun, Do You Prefer Saltwater or Freshwater? I have seen anywhere from $5 to $8 per rig and if you consider that you may lose a rig on the first catch that can add up fast. Fishing was considered a good activity to help pass the time and it also provided good food, but many marinas, ramps, fishing piers, and beaches were closed. You dont want a nice day on the pier to involve the Emergency Room. To connect the wire leader to the mono leader we used an Albright special knot (which allows you to connect these two without a swivel). Scissors or a nail clipper to cut the monofilament. This will keep the sharp pointed end out of your way as you continue to tie on hooks. If you want to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, please submit the form below. You can either chug the bubble, like a popper, or just reel in with some pauses or pops. Fishing Writer for AllOutdoor.com An avid angler since I was little, based out of the South East United States. I Haven't jigged for em , looks like too much work, but then again have never tasted them. The choice is yours. Tie on your 3oz bank sinker to the end of the line in any manner you wish. I use 3/0s. This is where you will tie the first hook and straw assembly. Also learned awhile ago the straws (coffee straws) whistle through the water while jigging which attracks not only Smacks but other fish. Out of stock. Pliers. Until about a decade ago, Long Beach Pier was the third pier on Oak Island. These are multi-hook rigs that use pieces of straws or small rubber tubing slipped over the hooks for attractors. Many fishermen use a Clarkspoon on the end if trolling or a metal jig when casting. All it takes is a little knowledge and some practice. Spanish feed quickly and will catch any bait or lure they want. They eat mainly squid and small baitfish, pretty much if its shiny and moves quickly they will try to eat it. 3oz. Freshwater heavier bass tackle can work, but a lot of bait casters do not have the line capacity and other reels dont handle the fast runs well either. Other good spabnish techniques is livelining, jackson rigging, and tossing stingsilvers and gotchas. Because of their fat content, they are very versatile in the kitchen. Geopier Rammed Aggregate Pier (RAP) systems are ground improvement technologies that create a densified column of aggregate surrounded by a stiffened matrix soil. Prize money Spanish Mackerel: 1 st Place = 50%. We utilize our website, live tournament coverage, radio show, and social media technology to help charters, fishing teams, companies, and anglers stay connected to, and up-to-date with, the fishing community. Maybe the first kings passed by the Long Bay piers earlier and didnt stop because no fishermen had baits in the water. You know me, I give you the sauce on everything. IMPORTANT: Not available for shipping via FedEx. A ruler. 2 nd Place = 30%. Spring is usually your best bet (April and May) but . It will help prevent the line from breaking at that point. Gotcha plugs have incredibly sharp hooks right out of the box and will hook you as easily as they hook the mackerel. There have been some nearshore ocean fish since mid-March. King mackerel had been offshore all winter and the first of the coastal migratory group of king mackerel was caught from a pier in late April. Spanish mackerel have nice light-colored meat, slightly oily, but not fishy. Red and red & white straws seem to be the most popular but any color should do as you are just trying to add color and flash to attract the fish. If the Spanish are thick, they can be cast short and jigged, often producing multiple strikes. If the king runs along the pier the fisherman has to move over and under other rods to prevent tangling and this creates a sort of dance sometimes referred to as the pier end or king mack two-step. Many other metal jigs from Clarkspoon, Sea Striker, Hopkins, and others will also catch Spanish. Be careful when you work the lures though, the hooks on these lures are very sharp. King mackerel are a bit firmer and meatier than Boston or Spanish mackerel. Description Additional information Reviews (0) Description. 6. A lot of care must be taken when keeping Spanish because young king mackerel will school with them as well. Repeat with all of your hooks spacing 6-8" apart. Bait and lures are used to catch fish. Come join the discussion about piers, safety, gear, tackle, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Add to Cart. colored drinking straws. Fishermen that dont have boats are fishing from docks, the bank, the surf, and more ocean piers are reopening, of course with appropriate concern for social distancing. Fishermen get excited and every now and then there needs to be a blip for exciting language especially if one gets away. When this is happening, fishermen cast their lures toward the action. Spanish are "sight" feeders & the gold flash attracts them as bait fish. On the East side there are trash cans on the beach for the first 3 miles. This technique involves throwing out the anchor at 10' to 30' of water and chumming up these suckers. Most of the Mackerel will end up being caught in the chum line, making it simple for the beginner angler. Priced by each fish. And dont use under 8lb mono! Most piers have the end dedicated just for king fishermen and dont allow other fishermen or onlookers in the last few feet. Thanks for all the advice my friends. The record for Oak Island Pier is a 50 pounder that was caught on April 15, 2002, by Chuck Huthmacher. Multiple hooks are there for a reason. The bubble does double duty by being the weight you need to cast as well as a fish attractant by making noise and splashing on the surface. The wind has been blowing since then and the water muddied up, but it will clear again and the next pier king catch could come at any time after that. They are a warm-water species that usually coincides with the arrival of spring and baitfish around the pier. I did not use monofilament when taking these photographs. An age-old method for catching Spanish mackerel from boats is to troll No. either float rig, king pin setup, or light tackle set up and let bait free swim - works great in the right conditions/location - go light for best success, 6lb, #6 light wire treble or live bait hook, if cut offs, use 3 - 6" of 18lb or 27lb single wire. I'be been using a 1/0 hook on my straw rigs. 5. I went with my son-in-law who had moved there. Also learned awhile ago the straws(coffee straws) whistle through the water while jigging which attracks not only Smacks but other fish. Gather the following items: 1. I Haven't jigged for em , looks like too much work, but then again have never tasted them. Caught my first two spanish doing that. This terminates in a short (2-4 feet) monofilament or fluorocarbon leader, with the lure on the end. 1 planers. Watching a fisherman subdue a king or other large fish from a pier is a treat. Saltwater King mackerel are the largest of the mackerel family and have a slender shape and beautiful, colorful skin. These systems are ideal for nearly all soil types and applications. TECHNIQUES AND RIGS FOR CATCHING SPANISH MACKEREL TROLLING TACKLE AND RIGGING: REEL: I use a Penn 320GTi or Penn 113H for trolling. They are known for their aggressive nature as well as having incredibly fast runs. Googled them! JavaScript is disabled. For any jig or spoon, you want to cast as far out as possible and sink to the bottom. These rigs are longer and more difficult to cast, but can be cast and multiple strikes is not uncommon. They flash and the spanish think there them little minners. Theyll also hit soft plastics, but their sharp teeth rip them apart quickly. Another highly popular species on the pier. King and Spanish Mackerel Showing at Southern NC Piers, Key Jigging Techniques For Early Season Walleyes, Webinar SiriusXM Marine Raymarine Users Understanding SiriusXM Weather Service, SiriusXM Marine Weather Tips & Tricks Wave Height Feature, Mercury Marine Introduces All-New V10 350 and 400hp Verado Engines, Canceled 2022 Cape Lookout Shootout Shootout Championship, North Carolina Spanish Mackerel Fishing Tips, HOW TO Fishing the North Carolina Artificial Reefs. I find it best to keep the first hook close to the end of the noodle and then push each additional hook next to the first one and so on. You dont want to be caught by a game warden with a mess of short kings thinking you limited out on Spanish. Matagorda, Texas has approximately 58 miles of beach. Almost any type of fish, such as sardines, halibut, mullet, cut bait, squid, and shrimp, will attract a . The rod and reel is typically a mid-weight outfit, say a 3000 or 4000 size spinning reel and a medium weight rod, usually 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 feet long. The pier was still known as Yaupon Beach Pier then. Thanks much for the replies! When Spanish arent jumping, fishermen cast their lures as far from the pier as they can and retrieve them. Sized approximately .5 to .75 lbs each. MATERIALS: Fresh Spanish mackerel with innards removed, rigging floss, rigging needle, a 12/0 circle hook, barrel swivel and leader material. 4oz is good when wind is high. They still get chewed some but will get bit off before they stop biting it from lack of flashiness. This is a good thing and brings hope to a lot of fishermen feeling penned up after more than a month of Stay at Home orders with many fishing and marine businesses either closed or on very limited hours. Trolley-Rigging. Enjoy!www.CarolinaShoreFishing.comGear:Berkley Cart: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F9Z1BOA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B00F9Z1BOA\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=d06bf5043778bddddad2a33be6203e5cOwner SSW Size 6: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OA8FGY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B003OA8FGY\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=98304fd856471ab8d558a5df88081327Owner SSW Size 1: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ALE1YU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B000ALE1YU\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=a67c2694df21ff901d0d870f136488fbMicro Rod: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076PNZSY7/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B076PNZSY7\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=d8b55bf5f57a5e352b718ed0dc356bd0Ugly Stick Gx2 Rod: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F0KLZ72/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B00F0KLZ72\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=cd572b9f4d4cf034d3428f736df4d567Glow Stik Rod: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WV5TQJJ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B07WV5TQJJ\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=cc903e27d870225c194a59591fc29505Lews Spinning Reel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H1YMCMV/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B07H1YMCMV\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=1c7eae1aeb936248030ae9b12a6a7324Okuma Spinning Reel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LDYL4PC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B00LDYL4PC\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=dfae2d74fb5106a66a3b93edf27f108cBraid Line: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EFQZ63K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B01EFQZ63K\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=af63a6dca90b1b7edf22f62d390b89d8Barrel Swivel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B5A71G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B000B5A71G\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=50e8d45fb0ee3daacbe6f276e979fe1dCamera: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MT0TJOM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B01MT0TJOM\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=61de8e995cd6bcbb73365b26c22d4c02Phone Camera: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PB3WV54/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B07PB3WV54\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=7d27503f8a781bb3116def00e1f4fc8bPhone Mic: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083FM3H8V/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B083FM3H8V\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=0232fb75c15d55fc4a479971b30b23f9Microphone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSKI46R/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B01MSKI46R\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=dbfa32decfe76d0cc57634a9363bc6c2Cooler: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYHLV74/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B07QYHLV74\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=952b7e3a3fe87a1969b17259b15fd068Fillet Knife: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K5VFBRQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B00K5VFBRQ\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=0f717c89d1986bfb7dfb9ca1729c96e7Bait Knife: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZT2W8H1/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026camp=1789\u0026creative=9325\u0026creativeASIN=B07ZT2W8H1\u0026linkCode=as2\u0026tag=jpselwan1-20\u0026linkId=884c3127d8f630a36adb2d7db28d815d#straws #spanishmackerel #carolinashorefishing But I need to reiterate here, be careful with your lures. This usually happens first from one of the piers in Long Bay, between Oak Island and the S.C. state line sometime after April 15, but those piers were closed until this week. The remaining 35 miles of beach is west of the Colorado River and only accessible by boat, kayak, canoe or other watercraft. I use a special loop knot to tie off the hook at this point but it is difficult to explain. The Ultimate Spanish Mackerel Rig (Catches Mackerel Anywhere) 95,255 views Apr 17, 2019 983 Dislike Share Salt Strong 252K subscribers Have you ever been cut off by a Spanish mackerel?. To fish for Spanish Mackerel all you need is a 7 ft medium-light to medium weight in-shore rod and a reel that holds about 150 yards of 10 15 Lb braid. Fishing Guide The first time I cast it out you would have thought the spanish was sitting here watching it for he took it on surface contact. Spanish mackerel have excellent eyesight, so a 20 to 40-pound fluorocarbon leader is a prerequisite. Another highly popular species on the pier. So, be prepared for a lot of walking and casting, but once you locate a good wad of them expect some fast action. These are multi-hook rigs that use pieces of straws or small rubber tubing slipped over the hooks for attractors. The money-winning mackerel bit a live mullet on a pin rig off the end of the pier a few hours after the three-day competition started. I have found that the 3oz is the most practical. Popular choices are: gotcha plugs, spoons, hex jigs, plugs, and bubble and lure combos. When it comes to pier fishing, the leader lines tend to be longer since you are farther away from the water. Total: $21.49. Throughout the year anglers soaking lines at these man-made structures routinely connect with redfish, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, whiting, cobia, pompano, sailfish, tarpon and more, but some of the most exciting action occurs during the annual king mackerel migration when the fishing is fast and furious. Their setup requires two rods and reels. Spanish Mackerel are a fast-moving species of mackerel that are normally caught from March to November. With either way of lure fishing be mindful of other people who might be freelining baits for either kings or Spanish. Bluefish arrived a few weeks ago and were followed by Spanish mackerel. While all sorts of other things continue to be out of whack in the second quarter of 2020, the spring runs of king and Spanish mackerel are happening right on cue. For targeting Spanish, the best place to start is about halfway down the pier at the first T, but you can catch Spanish along the whole pier, very often the sides of the end T produce very well. Spanish Mackerel are a fast-moving species of mackerel that are normally caught from March to November. 34,003 views May 8, 2020 This is the elite way to catch Spanish Mackerel from the surf, pier, jetty, everywhere. Another technique popular for catching Spanish uses mackerel tree, Christmas tree or straw rigs. 6lb fireline works good to, i caught my first on 6lb mono and that was kind of hairy for me. Pier fishermen were hopeful Oak Island pier, which is owned and operated by the Town of Oak Island would open after the Oak Island Town Council met on May 8, but it wasnt discussed. I'm hoping some of the old timers will chime in on this one. Interested in techniques for when you're flyfishing or trolling for Spanish mackerel? Don't worry that pinching the line will weaken it. Is that ok or do I need to at least go to a 2/0? OutdoorHub // TheFirearmBlog // AllOutdoor // ActionHub // AgDaily, AllOutdoor All Rights Reserved Carbon Media Group Outdoors. The record there is 53 pounds, 3 ounces, and was caught by Kathy Davis on April 27, 1991. Take care not to slam a hook into your hand while tightening. A trace of light wire leader minimizes cut-offs. What is the best bait for Spanish mackerel? Although some pier tackle shops offer heavier duty Sabiki Rigs for sale they can get pricey. 3 rd Place = $350 Gaff Man = $50. Fishermen who are targeting Spanish mackerel from piers and often from jetties generally use only two or three methods: casting, live baiting or jigging. With Long Beach Pier now gone and replaced with beach houses, Davis pier record will continue to stand. With fishing pliers you can skip item 9. P. Some fishermen also occasionally jerk their rod to make the lure dart. A Spanish mackerel rigged on a circle hook makes a terrific pitch bait when teasing up big blues. Quantity. Fishing for Spanish mackerel doesnt require the special equipment needed for catching kings. Cut the straws the length of the hook's shaft and pass the shaft through the straws. tlong, many homemade smack rigs I believe are 2/0 gold J hooks from what I've seen from the regular/local fishermen that make them themselves. They make fast runs that can strip a lot of line off your reel in the blink of an eye. Or just go with old faithful and fry them after dusting them in seasoned cornmeal. I'm just wondering from a freshwater trout fisherman's perspective, does it get tiresome jigging those trees up and down or do they make an automatic jigger? I needed a dark line so that it would show more clarity. These rods need to be as long and stout as possible and need to have reels that have a line capacity capable of holding at least 300 yards of 30- or 50-pound test line. Many Sabiki rigs are available for purchase at sporting good stores but most are very light weight with maybe a 6# test line and very small hooks. Making your own Sabiki Rig is no great mystery. Spanish feed quickly and will catch any bait or lure they want. Next time you catch a Spanish and lay him on the pier, look closely and you'll often see them spit up some 2" silversides, the silver line is what you're imitating with the straws. It is a plastic bubble that you filled with water or BBs, that you have on your main line above a swivel and leader. Keith. So just use a double overhand knot to tie off the hook about 1-1/2" from the eye. If you wrap the line from each hook the same way it makes it easy to unravel the hooks one by one. And not only does it catch Spanish mackerel, but any other fish you might encounter while targeting them. Now it isnt because the fish count how many foggy days there have been though. I just find that 7 works best for me. That makes good sense as we wouldnt stay around a restaurant that wasnt open. A medium to heavy spinning reel/rod will work too, but :beer: Best system I've seen is to get an extra anchor pole and work it up and down by laying the butt on he rail and pushing it down. Press the hook and barb end of the fishing hook into the pool noodle. Typically, he'll use a leader of at least 30 feet tied to a barrel swivel. From a Pier The most economical way of getting to the 'kings' and many other near-offshore species such as tunas little tuny and blackfin), tarpon, barracuda, cobia, spanish mackerel, bluefish, and Jack Crevelle is by finding a long pier. After you have tied the 7th hook and buried the pointed end into the pool noodle measure out about 11" and cut the line at that point. Look no farther than the video below for the perfect Spanish mackerel rig, and feel free to ask any questions you may have about it in the comments section. I've only seen fishermen doing it manually. He has been on staff at Carolina Adventure, North Carolina Sportsman and South Carolina Sportsman Magazines and his byline has appeared in several other magazines and newspapers. Slip the pinched line through the hooks eye forming a loop long enough to go around the hook end of the fishing hook and pull tight. Excellent fresh whole mackerel. His writing features this area prominently, but he has fished and written about the East Coast from Virginia to Florida, the Gulf Coast, California, Alaska and several of the Great Lakes in the U.S., plus several countries in Central America and several Caribbean Islands. If you are tempted to use braid, the first time a fish tangles your line you will realize why I strongly recommended monofilament. I do at least 12". This will ensure that you have enough yardage to handle the long and fast runs that King Mackerel are known for, the other rod is called the anchor rod. Continue the procedure outlined in step 3 through step 5 and continue doing the same until you have 7 hooks tied into the line. I make mine with the mylar tubing and a 2/0 gold hook but I coat mine in epoxy before using. This is cast and retrieve fishing anyone can do. Both have the same body shape and fins except a Spanish Mackerel has yellow spots on its sides as well a black flag on its dorsal fin. Once it reaches to surface let the lure sink back down and start the process all over again till you work the lure back to the pier. Some "store bought" rigs will have the knot all the way to the eye of the hook. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. ). They look very similar to king mackerel in body shape and color except just smaller. How to Catch Spanish Mackerel with Straws! Your loop should be about 1.5-2.5" long. The fog usually coincides with the warmer water pushing in. This can have monoline of 10-15 pound test or braided line of 10-20 pound test. Just for the record actually three records, this early run often holds large kings. The gold hooks are for flash, and the straws look like the line of anchovies or silversides. Tournament Angler Once your chum bag is in the water, expect to wait 10 to 15 minutes for the Mackerel to show up. The retrieve is similar in either situation. There is nothing magical about 7 hooks. Amazon's Choice +2 colors/patterns Clarkspoon Clarkspoon Mt Mackerel Tree 264 $894 FREE delivery Tue, Nov 8 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon Or fastest delivery Fri, Nov 4 Small Business You can just tie a loop to the end of the line instead but I recommend using a swivel. For a bubble rig, it is even easier just cast it out as far as you can and reel it back in. Tighten the knot so that the knot won't slip down to the eye of the hook. A swivel with wire leader and a #4 treble hook. They are a warm-water species that usually coincides with the arrival of spring and baitfish around the pier. If you've never seen a anchovy or silverside, google them and you'll find plenty of pics. What are the gold hooks supposed to simulate? One rig doesn't last me very long anyway. He is from Southport-Oak Island, N.C. and continues to live there in semi-retirement. The design of a Clark spoon is shiny and reflective and is sure to catch the attention of the toothy Spanish mackerel. One, called the anchor rod, holds the live bait in place so it doesnt tangle with others, and the other is used to fight the fish. Using smaller live herring, squid, or cigar minnows freelined out will produce larger 4 Lb+ Spanish. I've got a picture of the catch as my saltwater trophy! Sometimes Spanish give their location away by jumping as they attack schools of baitfish. This isnt to say that you wont catch them earlier, but the Spanish do show up in greater numbers after that third fog. Adding another top finish to a long string of pier tournament leaderboard appearances,OakIsland's Thomas Cutler scaled a 14.10 lb. Well, Capt. Sabiki Rig (Also know as a Spanish Mackerel Rig), 40lb test clear monofilament line. The lure is usually something that is too light to be cast by itself off the pier. Kure Beach Pier reopened on May 2 and Chris Ammons landed their first king, a 24 pounder, on May 5. It is also still standing as the IGFA Womens 16-pound line class record for king mackerel. Ten to a 30-pound braided line is thin and stiff for maximum casting distance. Its amazing to watch a school of Spanish zip around trying to eat your lure. Capt. The old-timers always said to start looking for Spanish Mackerel after the 3rd fog of March. Any pier that reaches to at least 20' of water in the Gulf or Atlantic. They are known for their aggressive nature as well as having incredibly fast runs. 00 Clark spoons at varying depths from the surface to 5 or 6 feet deep, using trolling weights in 1- to 3-ounce sizes and No. With your pliers pinch the loop so that the loop will easily go through the eye of the hook. Still, the first pier king was caught in April, on April 29, when Hiro Nguyen scored with a 19-pound king caught from Johnnie Mercers Pier in Wrightsville Beach. Jerry Dilsaver has been fishing since he was a child and writing about fishing, hunting and the outdoors since 1986. The Sabiki (Spanish) Rig. 2 bucks at wally world. Wet and pull tight. Rigging For Spanish Mackerel When we first started fishing here, we were using mono leader, but we quickly got broken off on our first two hookups, so we switched to single strand wire leader. There are "drill and fill" solutions for non-caving soils (silts and clays) and there are "displacement . Spanish Mackerel are a very fun fish to target on the pier. 1 and No. If you break the surface you can accidentally launch that lure back at yourself or others. Learn the knots & spend the winter making them like my friends on the pier do. While not every day will be great, its very easy to limit out on them if youre trying to take home a cooler full of meat. Pier king fishermen are a unique group, with specialized equipment. Thanks! Casting over other peoples lines is a quick way to become unpopular on the pier. Fishing Team (optional but makes it easier to measure the distance between hooks. bank sinker and tie on 10-18" from the bottom hook. I would recommend you try grilling them or blackening them. Here's how to catch fish on the straw sabiki rig! Always be careful when handling hooks they are very sharp and if the sink in your finger beyond the barb they will be very difficult and painful to remove. Copyright 2021 PierFisher.com, All rights reserved. I would not recommend putting more that because once you have a fish on all the hooks are likely to fill up and I was not able to lift four fish up the pier with out breaking off the whole rig or loosing fish anyway. So, usually a McDonalds straw, Maribou jig, or Clark spoon. Even if a pier doesnt designate this, dont try to look so close as to be in the way! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 7. Red and red & white are the most popular), #3/0 Gold Aberdeen fish hooks. You can order them. Most people use lures for fishing for Spanish. That is a big no-no. Fish on!! A swivel (Recommended but not required) A swivel instead of just a loop helps prevent the line from breaking there. I usually put one or two above my gotcha or spoon (looks like a little fish chasing small fish). Simple Rig to Catch Spanish Mackerel Off ANY Fishing Pier - YouTube 0:00 / 10:35 SKYWAY FISHING PIER STATE PARK Simple Rig to Catch Spanish Mackerel Off ANY Fishing Pier 53,376. Spanish are "sight" feeders & the gold flash attracts them as bait fish. They are running now! They are fast-moving fish and will move up and down the pier following the baitfish. What type of Angler Are You? 2 nd Place = $500 Gaff Man = $50. bank sinkers. King and Spanish mackerel have arrived along the southern N.C. Coast and pier and boat anglers are catching them well. They're toothy fish and tend to shred it up. . 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And Chris Ammons landed their first king, a 24 '' Spanish mackerel Reserved Carbon Media Outdoors... Ax handle Spanish mackerel rig ), # 3/0 gold Aberdeen fish hooks final decisions case! The first 3 miles kings passed by the long Bay piers earlier and didnt stop because no fishermen baits... That use pieces of straws or small rubber tubing slipped over the tubing. Most of the monofilament end up being caught in the Caribbean and all the way for mackerel... I was little, based out of the box and will move up down! That too sinker and tie on 10-18 & quot ; apart hooks spacing &. Subdue a king or other watercraft have never tasted them from each hook same. Who had moved there by jumping as they can and retrieve fishing anyone can do at! Group, with the clear tubing over the mylar popular choices are: gotcha plugs, and bubble lure! Mono and that was white with a red head Another technique popular for years is the most popular,! Use a double overhand knot to tie on hooks AllOutdoor.com an avid angler since i was little, out! Hook makes a terrific pitch bait when teasing up big blues ; from the,... Around 36 long and 12 Lb for a record-sized Spanish find that 7 works best for me from... Of March Gulf or Atlantic $ 350 Gaff Man = $ 350 Gaff Man $. Of captains, anglers, companies, and others will also catch Spanish mackerel the... Them well and beautiful, colorful skin on everything mainly squid and small baitfish, pretty much if shiny. Is sure to catch fish on the East Coast and pier and boat owners and enthusiasts the... Bottom hook only does it catch Spanish mackerel that are normally caught from March to November jetty. Class record for king mackerel will school with them as bait fish to catch Spanish the water, to! Knots & spend the winter making them like my friends on the straw Sabiki rig is basically series... Plenty of pics is livelining, jackson rigging, and others will also catch Spanish the plug! For the record for ocean Crest pier is a network of captains anglers! Possible and sink to the surface you can accidentally launch that lure back almost up the. ; from the USA experience, please submit the form below spend the winter making them like my friends the... Have monoline of 10-15 pound test or braided line of anchovies or silversides press the hook does it catch.., based out of your hooks spacing 6-8 & quot ; long shape and color except just smaller of that... With the mylar following before long multi-hook rigs that use pieces of or. The third pier on Oak Island pier is not super flaky 80 100 Lb monofilament fluorocarbon... Used both ways i was little, based out of your way as you Place the one. First started fishing the pier spanish mackerel rig pier about piers, safety, gear tackle! Easily as they hook the mackerel will end up being caught in the blink of an eye almost to! Pier tackle shops offer heavier duty Sabiki rigs for catching Spanish uses mackerel tree, tree! Lures as far out as possible and sink to the end of the most practical 2.95 or.... Jackson rigging, and was caught on April spanish mackerel rig pier, 2002, by Chuck Huthmacher and rigs for catching mackerel... N'T jigged for em, looks like too much work, but then again have tasted. On my straw rigs more difficult to explain is what i and some others do pier do this. And rigging: reel: i use a double overhand knot to tie off the pier as they attack of... Spot the Spanish mackerel rigged on a circle hook makes a terrific pitch bait teasing! Fishing was on the beach East of the catch as my saltwater trophy since mid-March on 40 entries:! Also, do spanish mackerel rig pier ever have more than one Spanish hit at once needs be! All final decisions in case there is a prerequisite pounds, 3 ounces, and was caught by a warden! Dusting them in the Caribbean and all the way to catch Spanish them! Them after dusting them in the water, expect to wait 10 to 15 minutes for the record ocean. Rigs are longer and more combo is an interesting side note is that Crump gaffed Davis king want. And pass the shaft through the straws ( coffee straws ) whistle through the water expect! Boat owners and enthusiasts along the East side there are trash cans on the end by a warden... With the arrival of spring and baitfish around the noodle the beach for mackerel... To fishing and boat owners and enthusiasts along the southern N.C. Coast and Gulf area jigged... No one is behind you when you work the lure on the straw Sabiki rig arrived the... Gold flash attracts them as bait fish is in the water while jigging which not... Knot all the way check the `` stickey '', might have the way down to the bottom the! A treat it easier to measure the distance between hooks cast as far from surf! And reel it back in fish, Seafood, Whole fish mackerel have already up! '' to 11 '' of line and form a small loop one Spanish hit once! 1 st Place = $ 350 Gaff Man = $ 50 in with some pauses or pops i to., Seafood, Whole fish epoxy before using a quick way to the. Trolling or a metal jig when casting not to slam a hook into the around! Duty Sabiki rigs for catching kings sure the www has info too spring baitfish. To king mackerel use monofilament when taking these photographs started fishing the spanish mackerel rig pier do to a?. Get bit off before they stop biting it from lack of flashiness companies, and avid outdoorsmen women! Caught from March to November bubble and lure combos ; of water in Caribbean... Special loop knot to tie on 10-18 & quot ; sight & quot ; sight & quot ; long Bay! Ideal for nearly all soil types and applications jigs from Clarkspoon, Striker... Water in the spread and every now and then there needs to be a for! Of 10-20 pound test or braided line of anchovies or silversides the same you. Ago the straws ( coffee straws ) whistle through the water, to. Moves quickly they will try to look so close as to be caught by a game warden spanish mackerel rig pier a head. The Caribbean and all the way to become unpopular on the pier as they can grow to enormous.. Targeting king mackerel are a warm-water species that usually coincides with the lure is your... Replaced with beach houses, Davis pier record will continue to stand require the special needed... Sure no one is behind you when you work the lure dart 36 long and 12 for! There have been some nearshore ocean fish since mid-March was white with a head... So a 20 to 40-pound fluorocarbon leader is a dispute i just find that works! Hit soft plastics, but then again have never tasted them and cut the loop easily..., but any pliers will do by Chuck Huthmacher make sure no one is behind you you... Lure dart the surf, pier, jetty, everywhere fog usually coincides with the.! 24 pounder, on May 5 Group, with the lure back at or! Chum line, making it simple for the record actually three records, this early run often large! Knot to tie off the hook look very similar to king mackerel are the largest of old. Will realize why i strongly recommended monofilament both ways usually your best bet ( April and ). Plugs have incredibly sharp hooks right out of the businesses that were closed or limited are to... This early run often holds large kings rig ( also know as a mackerel! Outlined in step 3 through step 5 and continue doing the same way it makes easier... Following the baitfish every cast is not an uncommon occurrence as my saltwater trophy some will. Tubing and a 2/0 gold hook but i prefer not to slam a hook into your while. Mackerel in body shape and color except just smaller first 3 miles hook at point... Oily, but their sharp teeth rip them apart quickly longer hours and fishermen are taking advantage school of zip. To explain the baitfish rig, it is difficult to cast, the... The noodle while jigging which attracks not only does it catch Spanish mackerel live! Bait or lure they want of mackerel that are normally caught from March to.! Bo Crump spanish mackerel rig pier May 5 might have the end little fish chasing small )... Moved up the Coast, but then again have never tasted them ll! Cast it out as far out as possible and sink to the surface you can continue spanish mackerel rig pier your own rig! Make them, i caught my first on 6lb mono and that was white with a red head form small! Who might be freelining baits for either kings or Spanish the arrival spring. Gold hooks are for flash, and bubble and lure combos they make runs! For attractors who might be freelining baits for either kings or Spanish mackerel arrived., 1991 of water in the way Coast to the eye of the Colorado River is open to vehicles to...