Had some run n gun fun this past weekend chasing schools of SM outside the jetties. Was watching the birds, then the water and if we saw surface activity, would run over and start casting.
It seemed to turn off as quickly as it turned on. After a massive frenzy that lasted a few minutes, it stopped and we didn’t see another uproar like that for at least an hour+ and had to head in by then. I’m thinking maybe with the boat traffic and sun getting higher, the fish went deeper?
There was bait everywhere and birds everywhere but there was so much bait, I don’t think the birds even needed the SM and blues to push it to the surface.
My questions: At that point, after not seeing surface action for a long while, would you start trolling at different depths to see if you can find the fish?
Or just choose a fishy looking area and just start casting, fishing the entire water column?
Would you push offshore a little deeper maybe checking around the nearshore reef to try and locate the schools?
Appreciate the comments/advice.
Yes, fish deep. I’d put out 2 #2 planers, 1 #1 planer and 1 #3. All with silver Clarke spoons. Troll fast, 7 or 8 mph. See which ones get hit and then switch the rest.
If you run the boat directly into a school they will sound and be gone. Just work around the edges without running through them. When casting to them, reel as fast as you can. They like that lure moving fast.
Had a guy show me a trick once, on how to catch them. When trolling for anything, just tie a 50’60 foot piece of Mono to a Clark Spoon and throw it off the back of the boat. Tie the other end off to a rear cleat! Check the line every now and then and you’ll have one on.
I don’t get out there anymore, but Ahh the memories! I first got “hooked” on ocean fishing as a teenager by Spanish Mackerel. On a good day, it is nonstop action!
I also 2nd the planers. One tip - run a mile or 2 upwind, and then work the schools back downwind. Your boat will pound less, and the fish will “stay up” better.
I 2nd CL on avoiding the middle of schools. That “sounds” them quick. Work around the fringes of the schools. You don’t need to be in the middle to catch them. They usually won’t sound if you stay on the outside edge of the shcool.
If a school sounds, run a little downwind looking for birds to “give away” the location of another school.
August is primetime for Spanish. In September, Kings are King!