Rigging for Spanish Mackerel

I fished yesterday for Spanish mackerel right along the beach from Carolina Beach to Wrightsville Beach,water depth was 18' to 21' . I fish with 30 lb.test line on my reels,I use ball bearing swivels,attaching line to a number # 1 sea striker planer,on the back end of the planer I use a 100 lb. test line crimped to the planer with and addition ball bearing swivel,this allows me just to tie a loop in my line for quick reties of leader if it becomes chaffed.I like to use a 30 lb.test line for leader, I use about 30' of leader this will catch you a lot more fish,than a shorter leader,it also allows for a stretch in the line,in case a king mackerel hits the small 00-RBMSG Clark spoon ! Gold or Silver 00 Clark Spoons are my favorite spoons for Spanish Mackerel, another great spoon is the Squid Spoon #1.Trolling speed for Spanish is important,Spanish like a fast 6 knt. to 7 knt. speed, I have run a lot of Spanish mackerel charters over the last 12 years,I normally only fish 4 rods,all with #1 sea striker planers, I fish two rods short right past the transom of the boat 5' back,one long line on the starboard side of the boat ,the port line should be run back shorter than the starboard to prevent tangles, make all your turns to the starboard side or right this will stop most of the tangles and crossed lines most people experience. If you circle a school of Spanish mackerel,you can catch your limit a lot faster, than just running through a school what is called straight lining,Carolina Beach charter boats normally catch a lot of Spanish mackerel,if you see these boats working in a circle,you know they have found the fish!

Capt.Mike Dennis
Cape Fear Guide