Spanish

To the South Beaufort / Hilton Head
1

Has anyone been catching any spanish mackerel nearshore? I need me some!

oc

2

Looked for them around Fripp Island two weeks ago two days in a row and found surprisingly little activity on top of the water.

Key West 1720 90 4 srtk Yamaha
http://www.forklifts-sc.com/

3

Just because they aren’t on top doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Pull a couple of Clark spoons on trolling weights, couple more on number 1 and 2 planers with 20’ leaders. They are often deep, not always surface feeding. They are in all the inlets, sounds and off the beaches now and will be until at least September. When they aren’t on the surface, fish deep.

Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats

“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose

4

Thanks

What size trolling weight would you suggest?

Key West 1720 90 4 srtk Yamaha
http://www.forklifts-sc.com/

5

Small, just 3 ounces or so. Look for the birds, if you follow the birds they will show you where the fish are. Troll fast for Spanish, 7 or 8 mph., use a long leader, 20’ or so behind the planers and weights. don’t use wire, use mono or flouro.

Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats

“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose

6

do you need to run a long leader from a trolling weight also, or is that specific to using planers?

7

Any pictures of that trolling rig set up?
Can you troll for Spanish with the same equipment you might use for reds inshore?

2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau

8
quote:
do you need to run a long leader from a trolling weight also,
quote:
use a long leader, 20' or so behind the planers and weights. Don't use wire, use mono or flouro.
quote:
Can you troll for Spanish with the same equipment you might use for reds inshore?

With spoons and light trolling weights, yes, or cast to them. Live shrimp cast into a school is very effective too. Can’t beat Clark spoons for easy though. The little spoons weigh almost nothing. But you can’t pull planers with inshore redfish tackle. It takes a stout rod to pull a #2 planer at 7 mph, 20-30 lb. class rod and reels. The planer fights harder than the fish. You know you get a bite when the tension comes off the rod and you see the fish water skiing on the surface back there.

Spanish are one of the most plentiful, accessible and easiest to catch fish in the ocean this time of year.

Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats

“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose