Abundant Mackerel
In Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
For those who love to fish along Alabama’s Beaches, this has been a banner year for Spanish mackerel, especially for the anglers on the Gulf State Park Pier.
Of course, Spanish is almost always a species that are willing to bite along the Alabama coast during the warmer months, and this year’s consistently warm weather has allowed anglers to keep catching fish as fall approaches.
Fishing fo Spanish Mackerel on Alabama's Beaches
Where to Catch Spanish Mackerel
Spanish is a migratory species that prefers warm water. When the water temperature falls below 68 degrees, they start packing their bags and head to South Florida. Until then, take advantage of some great fishing.
Gulf State Park Pier anglers have been catching Spanish regularly. The octagon at the end of the 1,540-foot pier is where most of the action occurs, but it can happen back toward the beach at times. You can bring your own gear or rent rods and reels from the bait shop, as well as all the bait and tackle you need.
Best Gear for Catching Spanish Mackerel
Spanish are built for speed, and that’s the way they like the retrieve with the Gotcha plugs, casting spoons (Kastmasters, Hopkins, Krocodile) that mimic glass minnows, bubble rigs that keep your lures near the surface, and cigar minnows are the bait typically used on the pier. You can also catch your own bait, like alewives and menhaden, with Sabiki rigs.
Spanish mackerel are known to bite through fishing line like butter with mouths full of sharp teeth. Therefore, you’ll need some kind of leader material. Heavy monofilament or fluorocarbon line of at least 30-pound strength is recommended, or go with small-diameter steel leaders, either solid or Sevenstrand. Be sure to use black swivels when rigging your bait. Mackerel will hit the gold swivel, and you’ll lose your whole rig.
Trolling for Mackerel
Slow-trolling for Spanish mackerel just off the beach is another way to catch Spanish along the Gulf Coast. Any saltwater boat that is seaworthy in nearshore waters can be used for trolling. Use rod holders to set up a trolling array with numerous baits behind the boat. Trolling at seven to 10 knots outside the second sand bar to about a mile offshore will be the most productive areas. Halco and Clark spoons work well on the mackerel when deployed at different depths behind the boat. Make sure you have planners on board in case the Spanish aren’t feeding the surface.
One tactic used by trollers is called bump and drift, which can be highly productive at times. They bump the throttle to get the lures moving behind the boat and then kick the motor into neutral to let the baits slowly flutter toward the bottom. That fluttering action is what attracts the fish.
What to Look for When Catching Spanish Mackerel
Birds diving along the beach can be a size that you shouldn’t ignore. It could be a school of Spanish dining on baitfish, as the birds are dining on the leftovers. Have a rod or two ready with casting spoons or lures and cast into the middle of the feeding frenzy.
Spanish Mackerel Limits
The daily creel limit on Spanish mackerel is 15 per person with no size limit. It’s best to prepare Spanish fresh, and several restaurants offer Catch and Cook services where you catch the fish, and they cook them in a variety of delicious ways.
Spanish Mackerel Seasons
Spanish mackerel can be caught year-round, but March through October are the best months to target. But don’t fret when the cold fronts roll in and drive the Spanish south. They’ll be back in the spring for another six months of fishing fun. Plan a fishing trip to Alabama’s Beaches to catch the plentiful Spanish mackerel!
David Rainer
David Rainer has written about the great outdoors on the Alabama Gulf Coast for more than 20 years. For 14 of those years, he covered the many fishing opportunities on the Gulf Coast as outdoors editor at the Mobile Press-Register. He is past president of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and currently serves on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's Outreach and Education Advisory Panel and the Alabama Gulf Coast Reef & Restoration Foundation board.
