Macks and more await

Spring is upon us, and there looks to be no turning back.

Massive schools of sardines and rapidly-rising water temperatures have created countless fishing opportunities. Spanish mackerel have been everywhere. Whether you're inshore or offshore, these toothy speedsters have been hard to avoid.

When anglers get a bite from a mackerel, they often won't feel it. If you reel in your line and the hook is missing, you can pretty much guess it was a mack. Mackerel hit their prey at ferocious speeds. This characteristic, parlayed with a mouth of razor-sharp teeth, usually will make short work of light leaders. If you decide to focus on catching this fish, long shank hooks work well. However, an 18-inch length of stiff wire leader works best.

For Spanish mackerel, 25- to 38-pound rated wire will be plenty. Light spinning tackle should lead to 18-inches of 25-pound fluorocarbon that is connected to the leader and a 1/0 hook. For the connection from the fluorocarbon to the wire, use a small black swivel. When mackerel are thick, they will hit anything shiny, including silver swivels. The fluorocarbon leader will help protect against the mack's tail bumping the main line and account for the loss in line when tying to a swivel.

Though mackerel have been spread out on deep grass flats, they're easier to target in areas that have a lot of structure. Underwater rock piles and shallow reefs hold plenty of baitfish, which attracts the mackerel. Anchor up tide of such an area with a live well of greenback, then start a chum slick. Suspending a block over the side of the boat and tossing a handful of pinched greenback behind the vessel periodically will get the mackerel going. Free-line a couple of baits back in this zone, then hold on tight.

On days the water is especially clear, the mackerel, which have good eyesight, may be a little finicky. Scaling down to lighter wire leader usually will amend for this. Working spoons and other shiny submerging artificial lures quickly through the zone may be successful. As a last resort, use the long shank hooks without any wire leader.

Don't be surprised if king mackerel appear in your slick if you are in more than 25 feet of water. Drifting a large bait on a heavier set up always is good in this situation. A 25-pound conventional reel with a smooth drag works best. Leaders should be tied the same way but with heavier components. Instead of using 25-pound fluorocarbon, try a 6-foot length of 40-pound leader. Wire should be near a 42-pound rating, with the hook being a stout 2/0 or 3/0. Live blue runners or ladyfish usually are easy to find.

When using large live baits for kingfish, a stinger rig is a must. Connecting a small treble hook with 4- to 6-inches of the same leader tied to the main hooks eye will increase the amount of catches. The stinger trails just below the bait and will find a home when the king strikes. Tie an inflated balloon to the top of the fluorocarbon leader and drift the rig 30 yards or more behind the boat. Stick the rod in a holder with the drag set light. Start catching the Spanish mackerel while waiting for the payoff.

Plenty of other inshore and offshore opportunities exist. Snook are becoming increasingly active, especially during strong tidal phases. Redfish are starting to take post in feeding stations. Offshore, the grouper and snapper action has been good from 25 feet and beyond.

Pete Katsarelis charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at (727) 439-3474 or inshoreadventure@aol.com.

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