Best King Mackerel Rod And Reel? Best 177 Answer

King mackerel have a terrible habit of ‘snapping short’ a bait, so using a drag hook (barbed hook) is essential when targeting. When trolling for kings with live bait, the best trolling speed is between 1-3 knots. Laying the boat in and out is a common technique to achieve this.

Straight trolling at seven to ten knots is one strategy to attract and catch king mackerel. Another method is to use artificial baits. You can use a variety of baits, but the most popular are Spoons, Halco and Clark, which are known to bring large numbers of fish.

How to troll on king mackerel?

When trolling for king mackerel, a kayak is a very effective mode of transportation.

More often than not, monarchs don’t want their bait being trolled at high speed, and that’s understandable.

The slower the trolling speed, the more efficient it is at catching kings in certain situations.

Kayaks can be used to slow down troll lures, although paddlers often prefer live baits as they find them more palatable.

What is the best trolling speed for fishing?

When chasing active schools of fish, fast trolling is essential; Speeds of 5 to 8 knots create a lot of noise and waves and should draw the attention of any active fish in the area if they are there.

How can I improve my trolling for Kingfish?

However, as with most things in the fishing world, trolling for kings can be made more effective by following some advice from the pros.

When trolling for kings, large boats have the opportunity to run many lines at different depths.

Ed Mashburn took this picture.

Every season, Capt.

Troy Frady of Distraction Family Fishing Charters catches large numbers of kingfish while trolling.

When is the best time to troll Kingfish?

Most of the time, the best kingfish trolling occurs between mid-June and early October.” Captain Troy uses his large boat to pull a variety of planing boards to get bait to the deeper fish. At the same time, a flat line is pulled and the bait is presented to kingfish near the surface.

How deep do you troll for king mackerel?

A typical approach is that he starts by dragging one downrigger weight 60 feet down and the other weight down 40 feet until he spots an eating pattern.

What should I use to troll for king mackerel?

6 king mackerel baits every angler should have in their arsenal

Plugs for deep sea diving. Vinyl skirts are attached to the metal or plastic lip of these king mackerel lures, allowing them to sink to great depths. Slip this bright skirt over a frozen ballyhoo or cigar minnow. Other options include: trolling spoons, ribbonfish baits, bucktail jigs and topwater poppers.

How to slow down the troll for king mackerel?

The wobblers for deep diving. Vinyl skirts are attached to the metal or plastic lip of these king mackerel lures, allowing them to sink deep. Slip this bright skirt over a frozen ballyhoo or cigar minnow. Other options include: trolling spoons, ribbonfish baits, bucktail jigs and topwater poppers.

What speed do you troll for Spanish mackerel?

For Spanish mackerel, trolling speed should be between five and seven knots. No matter how many ball-bearing swivels you use, the 15-pound leader will spin at that rate. Having one in the mix will help slow the inevitable, but it won’t prevent the twisting from occurring.

At what speed do you troll to Kingfish?

Regardless of the method used, success depends on properly covering regions where kingfish are likely to live with baits that work well at the speed you are traveling at, or better yet, travel at a speed that is suitable for Kingfish is good (4-7 knots, sometimes faster).

How fast is a king mackerel?

In both scenarios, success depends on successfully covering regions that can harbor kingfish with baits that work well at the speed you are traveling at, or, even better, travel at a speed that works well on kingfish , as described above (4-7 knots, sometimes faster).

Can you troll for mackerel?

The key to more efficient mackerel trolling is to move fast…. Trout are more likely to be caught with bait when trolled faster. While 6 knots is acceptable, 7 knots, 8 knots, 9 knots, or 10 knots are even better. The faster you can troll, the more likely you are to be linked.

What should I troll for Kingfish?

Every angler has a favorite lure and everyone has their own preferences among the following: English/Blue/Slimy Mackerel, Mackerel, Mackerel, Koheru (Kohe) and Kahawai Catching live bait is the first thing we do every day. Jack mackerel is our favorite bait and seems to bring bites consistently.

How far are king mackerel?

King mackerel is a species of fish. Description These creatures can be found both onshore and offshore to depths of around 600 feet in both locations (but more commonly at 50-150 feet).

When is the best time for mackerel fishing?

Catching mackerel in the dark or in the morning and at high tide is the most effective method. The early spring tide is often the most productive as it brings baitfish closer to shore where mackerel follow. Mackerel, on the other hand, can be caught at any time.

How deep do you troll for Spanish mackerel?

Using trolling weights in 1 to 3 ounce sizes and #1 planing, an age old method of catching Spanish mackerel from boats is to use #1 and #00 Clark spoons at various depths from the surface up to 5 or 30 inches to haul 6 feet deep and haul them at different speeds.

What is the best king mackerel bait?

Mat Hewetson discusses two key methods for targeting kingfish in deep water, both of which work well and will help you catch more of those hardy green-backed fighters.

Kingfish are one of our favorite fish species in New Zealand and are high on most kiwi anglers’ catch lists. They fight hard when hooked, and fresh kingfish for sashimi, fried or smoked is a favorite. Most boaters set out to target snappers and may be lucky enough to hook onto a Kingie, drawn to their bait, berley, and fighting fish in the water from the resulting catch.

If you’re trolling or drifting live bait for wahoo, bluefish, mackerel and other razor sharp game fish, you’ve undoubtedly let a fish escape with the bottom half of your tender, missing the hook entirely. Such an event sucks for a fish of any size, but when it costs you a tournament winner or a trophy, the effects can be devastating.

Whether the target is Wahoo, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, or Bluefish, there are ways to increase your hookup numbers with sharp-toothed predators. One tactic is to use a stinger rig, which consists of two or three hooks mounted in a row. As basic as adding a second hook to your bait rigs may seem, it won’t do much good unless you understand the concept behind the Stinger Rig and how to make one.

choose wire

A proven way to get more hits from any type of game fish is to scale down your end tackle to make it less visible. For example, when free fishing live yellowtail snappers for large kingfish in the clear waters of the Bahamas, I use the shortest length of lightest wire I can and still have a good chance of landing a big fish. As easy as it may seem to use a 30 or 40 pound hooklink, I know a 40+ pound kingfish can cut through such light stainless steel wire. I have experienced it. So I use #6 wire, which is about 61 pounds test. This wire is still light enough to fool big, wary kings, but strong enough to survive their jaws.

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The length of the main hooklink is usually around 24 inches, just long enough to prevent clipping should the fish hit the lure’s head. I use a #4 (130 lb test) SPRO Power Swivel to connect the hooklink to the fishing line. Incidentally, Power Swivels are smaller than standard swivels of the same strength class.

This 56 lb kingfish was caught off Bimini on a live yellowtail fished on a stinger rig.|

To protect the fishing line from contacting the fish or the reef, I tie three feet of 40-pound fluorocarbon to a short bimini twist in the main line with a Bristol knot. However, when I’m not getting bitten and I know there’s a big king or two around, I cut the fluorocarbon and double line and tie it straight to the Stinger rig.

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hook selection

It makes little visual sense to use a light leader and mount it with large hooks.

Whether you choose single or treble hooks, they should be small enough to remain unobtrusive but strong enough not to rear under the stress of a big fish. Hook size and style vary widely depending on target species and bait type. For example, on Goggle-Eyes, Speedos, Blue Runners and Yellowtails I choose either a 5/0 Octopus or a short shank live bait hook. Ditto with the stinger hook.

I rarely use live baited triplets for two reasons: First, since most of the kings we catch are released, a single hook makes removal safer and easier. Second, I don’t think single hooks put me at a disadvantage. If a fish cuts through the bait and manages to avoid the hook, I can often make a second attempt by releasing what’s left of the bait. Mackerel and Wahoo are notorious for cutting off the tail section of a lure and circling back for the leftovers. Provided your bait sinks naturally, the fish (or one of its companions) can come back and pick it up. As soon as the line begins to race from your reel, apply the brake, wrap tightly around the fish and set the hook; You’ll likely get a solid connection.

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Join the Stinger

The method by which the stinger leader connects to the lead hook can mean the difference between catching and losing a fish due to a kink in the wire, a hook twisting back into the bait, or a hook pull. Another problem is the lightweight barbed wire catching in or slipping through a gap in the hook eye. This threat can be countered by using a hook with a welded eyelet or a hook forged from wire strong enough not to open should the barbed wire become wedged in the cavity where the hook eyelet meets the hook shaft hits.

Kingfish guru Dave Workman, Jr., owner of Strike-Zone Fishing in Jacksonville, Fla., has an effective way to bandage his spines. Workman uses a twist and turn to connect the lead hook and hooklink. Then he threads the barbed wire through both the eyelet of the lead hook and the loop in the main leader. Finally, he secures the barbed wire with a haywire twist.

Workman explains that by locking the loops of the main and stinger hooklinks, the risk of the stinger wire slipping off the lead hook is eliminated. In addition, the loop-to-loop connection allows the lead hook to swing freely, preventing the rig from binding.

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alternate method

I tend to vacillate between using the Stinger rig with interlocking loops and one with an SPRO Power Swivel. On the latter, which I prefer when live baiting for big fish with 20 and 30 pound tackle and heavy brakes, I start by threading the hooklink through the eye of the lead hook. I then run the wire through the eye of a #4, 130-pound Test SPRO Power Swivel that has the barbed wire and hook attached. With the swivel resting on top of the lead hook, I secure the connection with a twist and turn.

What you lose here compared to the locking loop method is the assurance that the barbed wire will not slip through a gap in the hook eye. Again, it’s a very small risk. However, should a fish pounce on the stinger hook, the swivel counteracts any torque and helps minimize twists, binds or kinks. When using larger lures such as goggle eyes, runners and speedos, the small power swivel is not prominent enough to warrant concerns about its visibility. This is a good setting for longer fights with big fish on relatively heavy tackle.

Satisfy

Stinger leaders should be slightly shorter than the bait to allow the hook to be positioned in the back third of the bait. The wire should fit snugly against the bait but not restrict its swimming action.

While some anglers prefer a free-swinging tow hook on their stinger rigs, I like to put it in the bait. First I thread the lead hook lightly through the lure’s nostrils or just in front of its dorsal fin. I then place the spike next to the bait to determine where the hook will ride and thread the tip just under the skin. Depending on the lure, I sometimes hide the entire shaft just under the skin, leaving only the eye and tip exposed.

Make sure you embed the lead and stinger hooks tightly enough to prevent them from ripping out on the throw, but light enough so they come loose on the hit. If embedded too deeply, the hook may prove difficult to set or turn back into the bait.

Before casting, hold the bait and pull on the leader. The load should be taken by the lead hook in the head of the lure. If the back stinger pulls forward when you pull the main hooklink, the bait will not float properly. If this happens, create some slack in the wire by positioning the stinger hook further forward in the bait.

Since you are working with relatively light wire, replace your stinger system after each fish. Don’t try to straighten the wire as this will only weaken it. Make extra rigs of different lengths in your free time and put them in plastic bags. This way you always have them ready for a variety of live baits.

The rigs shown in the attached photos are effective on virtually all game fish. The necessary adjustments concern the size of the wire and the hooks for the species you want to catch.

### Interlocking loop Stinger Rig

|**Step 1 **Pass one end of the guidewire through the eyelet of the guidehook with approximately 24 inches of wire. Secure the hook to the wire with a twist and turn. Add a swivel to the opposite end of the hooklink to attach to your fishing line.|

|**Step 2 **After you have cut the desired length of wire for the stinger leader, thread one end of the wire through the eyelet of the lead hook.|

|**Step 3 **Thread the hooked end of the barbed wire through the loop of the main wire leader. Form a small loop, then secure with a twist.|

|**Step 4 **Attach the spiked hook with a twist and turn.|

### Pivoting Stinger Rig

|**Step 1 **Thread a few inches of the primary hooklink through the lead hook eyelet and a swivel with the barbed wire and hook already attached.|

|**Step 2 **Form a small loop and secure the connection with a twist. The swivel should rest on the shank of the lead hook.|

Understanding spinning reel sizes is pretty easy. Reduced to the essentials, small reels for small fish, large reels for big fish.

In practice, the size of the fish we are targeting will determine the size of reel we should use. But what size is what?

As you may know, the industry standard for spinning reel sizes is a bit more nuanced than big and small.

Nonetheless, a system has evolved that allows anglers to select appropriately sized reels for their applications.

In the following article we will shed some light on spinning reel sizes. We will also look at the practical matter of choosing spinning reel size i.e. which spinning reel size should you choose?

Beginner anglers will find this article particularly useful.

But regular recreational anglers will also find useful information that may lead them to reconsider reel selection for specific fishing applications.

What are the different sizes of spinning reels? Explained

The reel size is determined by each reel manufacturer for each reel model and reel series. In many ways, the process is a little haphazard.

Nonetheless, a loose set of basic parameters has evolved. The size of a spinning reel is determined by a set of nominal specifications considered together.

Overall size and coil capacities seem to be the main drivers, with weight and maximum drag capacities likely making a modest contribution to size categorization.

You may already be familiar with roll size terms such as 1000, 2500, 3000, and 5000.

The smaller number indicates the smaller role. As the number increases, so does the roll size.

This labeling system is used quite extensively internationally.

Reel sizes start at 500, which is very small indeed, and move up to the whopping 30,000, which is a gaming reel in every way.

Starting at 500, spin reels jump up in 500 increments, depending on the manufacturer. It is more common for roll sizes to increase in increments of 1000.

It should be noted that very few manufacturers have a size 500 spinning reel. For most manufacturers, the range starts at 1000.

You will see that some manufacturers have opted for two-digit values. For example, instead of labeling a roll as size 2500, they use 25.

Instead of 5000, they use 50. However, this labeling system is less common.

A manufacturer 3000 is another manufacturer 4000

As previously mentioned, a spinning reel’s size designation comes from a set of nominal parameters. These parameters can actually be very broad.

This creates a situation where one manufacturer’s 3000 looks more or less the same as another manufacturer’s 2500 or 4000.

You may find that a size 10,000 on one reel series looks very similar to a size 14,000 on another. The specifications could also be very similar.

These variations are not limited to differences between manufacturers. There are often deviations between the roll series of a manufacturer.

While this might sound a little crazy and confusing to the uninitiated, there’s a pretty good reason for it.

Castor manufacturers use different materials, designs and technologies in the manufacture of castors. They also install various features to enhance the fishing experience or increase the reel’s performance.

Reels of the same size designation are often designed with a focus on a specific feature.

For example, it could be constructed to withstand the rigors of salt water or to cast long distances.

Another critical factor is the price point. There is a big difference in the composition of a $45 3000 spinning reel and a $450 3000 spinning reel.

Ultimately, design intent results in significant specification differences between reels of the same size designation.

Regardless of the variations, the size designations work quite well once you know them.

If I asked a buddy to bring a 5000 reel for bluefish surf fishing tomorrow they would know exactly what I’m talking about.

You would have an idea of ​​the conditions and size of the fish we are likely to encounter. You would also be able to customize a rod, line class and bait weight.

The table below gives you an indication of the roll sizes and their applications.

Note the designations small, medium and large. You will also hear reels referred to as light, universal, and heavy reels. These labels can be helpful.

Spinning Reel Size Chart

The following spinning reel size charts are divided into three size categories: small, medium and large.

You’ll often see manufacturers, distributors, and retailers add an extra large category, but I don’t think that’s necessary.

It is important to note that all sizes can be fished on land or above water.

Remember that size 500 is rare. That’s why I’ve grouped it at 1000, as the differences in specs are often negligible.

You will also notice that I used 1000 steps. That’s because the half-size steps are also negligible.

A good rule of thumb is that a 3500 reel has the upper specification parameters of a 3000.

Often the half increment provides a small additional coil capacity. Otherwise the specs are identical to the half increment below.

For example, the difference between the 3000 and 3500 is that the 3500 may be able to hold a bit more fishing line.

The exceptions are the 2000s and 2500s. Many manufacturers offer a 2000 and a 2500 in the same series.

This is a very common raise. Far more common than a 5000 and a 5500 in the same reel model line.

Keep in mind that this is just a guide. Parameters can vary up and down depending on the reel series and manufacturer.

Small spinning reels. 1000 to 3000

Small reels are designed for shore fishing. They can be fished in fresh or salt water in rivers, estuaries, streams, dams, harbors, docks and jetties.

They are suitable for light fishing rods from 6 to 9 feet. Fish target sizes are just a loose guide.

Reel size Monostrength Braid strength Application Fish sizes 1000 Small. Ultralight 2-4lb (1-2kg) 4-8lb Ultralight and fine inshore sport fishing. to 3lb 2000 Small. Ultralight 4-6lb (2-3kg) 5-10lb Ultralight and fine inshore sport fishing up to 5lb 2500 Small. Light 5-8lb (2.5kg-4kg) 5-12lb Light and fine inshore fishing 2 to 7lb 3000 Small. General Purpose 6-10lb (3kg-5kg) 6-15lb Light general purpose inshore boats. Light surf work 2 to 15 lb

Medium size spinning reels. 4000 and 5000

Medium sized reels are very popular as they give access to different fishing applications.

Not only do they cover everything on the coast but they also have good surf access, rock access as well as access to lighter pier fishing.

They are great in saltwater and freshwater, on land or in water. They make excellent models of kayaks for medium sized inshore and coastal destinations.

Rod sizes range from 7 to 12 feet. This size range isn’t overkill for smaller panfish, but it also has power for fairly large fish.

Good models in this size range are capable of wrestling fish up to 30 pounds and even more.

Reel Size Mono Gauge Braided Gauge Application Fish Sizes 4000 Medium General Purpose 4-6 kg (8-12 lb) 3.5-9 kg (8-20 lb) Larger class of coastal fish. Surf, rocks and inshore. Light sports off the coast. Ideal for piers 10 to 20lb 5000 medium. General 10-15 lb (4.5-7 kg) 10-25 lb (4.5-11 kg) Larger class of coastal fish. Surf, rocks and inshore. Light sports off the coast. Ideal for pillars from 10 to 30+lb

Large spinning reels. 6000 to 30,000

Applications of the broadest size category clearly range from a larger class of salmon in the rivers, drumming off the rocks to marlin and bluefin tuna offshore.

Rod sizes start at 5ft high performance wildlife rods up to 15ft surf rods.

These sizes are primarily designed for saltwater fishing. They are sought after by rock, surf, near shore and offshore anglers.

Sizes in this category can be difficult to gauge just by looking. Often there is little visual difference between a 14,000 of one brand and a 20,000 of another brand.

It’s important to check the specs to ensure you have the power to cover your application. It is also important to note that the weight of the reels increases significantly in this size range.

Never be too weak; it leads to heartbreak. But overkill is also undesirable. There is no need to fish a 20,000 when a 7000 will cover your target needs.

The biggest change in spinning reels over the last few decades is the power available in the smaller sized reels.

A quality 10k heavy duty reel can handle a smaller Shark and a modest GT.

The big 20,000 Stellas and Saltigas are capable of catching serious game fish. They are particularly popular with land-based game anglers.

While big, powerful spinning reels really perform, 1000lb marlin, dogtooth and bluefin are still best handled with true wild reels.

Reel Size Mono Gauge Braid Gauge Application Fish Sizes 6000 Medium 12-18lb (5-8kg) 12-30lb (5-13kg) Larger Coastal, Rocky, Surf, Near Shore, Light Offshore 10 to 35+ 7000 Medium 14-20lb (6 -9kg) 15-40lb (7-18kg) Major Coast, Rocks, Surf, Near Shore, Light Offshore 10 to 40 8000 Medium 15-25lb (7-12kg) 20-50lb (9-23kg) Major Coast, Rocks, Surf, Inshore, Slightly Offshore 15 to 45 9000 Moderate 20-25 lb (9-12 kg) 20 lb-60 lb (9-27 kg) Large Inshore, Rocks, Surf, Inshore, Slightly Offshore 20 to 45 10000 Heavy 20-9– 13 kg (30 lb) 11.5-32 kg (25-70 lb) Large Coastal, Rocky, Surf, Inshore, Slightly Offshore 20 to 45 14000 Heavy 18 kg+ (40 lb+) 13-36 kg (30-80 lb) Rock, Surf, Inshore, Medium Sea 30 to 50 20000 Extra Heavy 50lb+ (22kg+) 60lb+ (27kg+) Rock, Inshore, Offshore, Wild, Land 30 to 60 30000 Extra Heavy 60lb+ (27kg+) 80lb+ (36kg) Rock, Inshore, Offshore, Game, land based game 30 to 70 and above he out. Big

Which spinning reel size is best for me?

Three main factors determine the size you choose: First, the fish you want to target. Second is the location where you want to fish and the third factor is your budget.

Other considerations include adapting to an existing rod, line types preferred, lure types, fishing techniques and more. But it’s the first three things that matter the most.

Most anglers I’ve met are interested in chasing a variety of fish. They want to fish for the table, and they want to catch the largest of any species they have access to.

If you’re chasing bluegill or bass from your local freshwater lake then things are pretty simple. A 3000 roll will cover you perfectly.

For sports enthusiasts, you can reduce the size down to 1000 if you really want to test your skills.

For the saltwater angler, a 3000 will cover the lion’s share of the shore work. But you are too weak for a larger class of fish.

You can hedge your bets with a 4000 or a 5000. You can still have great fun with smaller panfish, but you also have access to a much larger class of fish up to 30 pounds.

The 4000 and 5000 also offer great access to surf, rock and break walls.

Now you can target a larger class of drumfish, redfish, bluefin bass, striped bass and more. For those with access to a boat, each of these sizes offers a great sport with near shore applications for medium sized fish.

Should you wish to concentrate exclusively on a larger class of fish, then of course refer to the table above. The sky is the limit. Or… is your budget the limit?

Taking your boat out into the blue water to hunt for mackerel, tuna and sailfish is easy. Get the biggest, most powerful spinning reel you can afford.

Most of us are interested in a variety of fishing styles, destinations and locations.

The best way to add variety is to build an arsenal. This is where budgets can get in the way of things.

If you’re like me and blessed with easy access to everything from trout in the mountain streams to anything in the surf to massive GTs off the sea rocks, the more reels the better.

Having 3 spinning reels is a great place to start. A 3000 address for all things fresh and salty on the coast.

A 5000 for larger coastal destinations as well as a go-to surf reel. Then a quality of 8-10k anywhere gives access to some pretty big fish.

A 3-reel arsenal like this covers a large number of applications. Fish them to your heart’s content until you’ve saved up enough to get your next reel.

What is the best spinning reel for bass fishing?

For the average angler, a 3000 spinning reel is perfect for bass fishing. A seasoned angler can land a trophy bass with a 3000.

And the average angler will have a great fishing experience with the smallest perch on a 3000.

When fishing specifically for trophy bass in bad and tricky conditions like high winds and gnarly line cutting structure I fish a larger reel.

But that’s rare. The preferred bass roll is a 3000.

There are many anglers who use a 2000 and a 2500. This really enhances the sporty side of perch hunting and in many cases evens the odds in favor of the perch.

It’s a lot of fun and I highly recommend it.

However, the most important reason for fishing with light is to reduce fatigue. Bait anglers will cast countless times in one session.

It helps to fish as light as possible on the rapid fire cast. Bottom Line: Fish as light as you dare.

How do you fit a spinning reel to a rod?

In my opinion, there is no substitute for feeling. When fitting a 3000 size reel to an 8ft rod I want my shortlist of reel choices to be connected to the rod.

Keep in mind that size 3000 reels can vary significantly in weight.

The most important thing to watch out for is balance. Connect the reel to the rod. Hold the rod in front of the reel spool with one finger on the butt end.

If it’s balanced horizontally, that’s a good indicator of good balance.

There is a bit of feeling and personal preference involved. That’s why I like to test a new rig for a balance that suits me.

Alternatively, you can purchase a combo put together by a balance expert. This is a great option for beginners and newbies. You don’t even have to think about it.

Another good option is to go to a tackle shop and ask. Let them show you what a balanced rig should feel like.

Check out this article for some great insights into tuning rods on reels.

frequently asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about roll sizes. Keep in mind; The answers are my opinion.

Others may feel differently. Fishing is as much an art and a feeling as it is a science and a sport. Be guided by what others say and discover things for yourself.

Is a 4000 reel too big for bass? The short answer is no, a 4000 reel isn’t too big for bass. However, a 3000 roll or even a 2500 roll is generally more appropriate.

There are situations where I would use a 4000. But it’s rare, and generally when I’m specifically targeting trophy-sized fish and in terrible conditions.

In the vast majority of cases you are unlikely to encounter trophy fish. A 2500 or 3000 reel will cover the lion’s share of your bass fishing.

Occasionally you will encounter a monster; That’s why I like to use a 3000. It’s great for most of my catch but gives me some hope should a trophy fish attack my bait. What is the best fishing line for spinning reels? I use both monofilament and braid. Both line types are great for spinning reels. The discussion of which is better for which application is an article in itself.

Suffice to say, the choice is yours.

If you still need to develop your knot tying skills, mono is a better choice until you’ve mastered a few basic braid to mono, braid to fluoro knots. What size reel should you use for surf fishing? This can be a bit tricky to answer as the surf attracts a tremendous variety of fish, from small whiting and flounder to 800-pound sharks.

The 5000 size is an excellent general choice for targeting any type of fish, such as bluefish or striped bass.

When the surf dies down and I’m hunting for whiting or flounder on the shorebreak, I go as small as 3000.

However, when chasing big fish with big lures, I use 7000 to 20,000. Surf fishing often requires its own specialized spinning reel arsenal.

If you can only choose one reel to browse, the 5000 is a great option to hedge your bets.

Remember that a 5000 can handle over 30 pounds of fish. And a good one, properly rigged, will throw a country mile.

Final thoughts on fishing reel sizes

You can learn a lot by surfing the internet and reading articles like this one.

But the best advice for learning more about reel sizes is to look at them, hold them, put them side by side and compare them.

For that you need to go to your local tackle shop. Spend some time there. Chat with your tackle pro. They usually have plenty of time for anglers willing to learn.

It is only by sight and touch that we can get a true sense of what the loose and arbitrary sizing standards of spinning reels actually mean.

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As you browse our fishing reels for sale, you need to consider where you are likely to be using the reel. What works reasonably well for rivers or lakes, for example, may not be the best reel for saltwater fishing from the boat or off the rocks.

In this guide below we’ve broken fishing reels into small, medium and large and given you some information on recommended line sizes, common fishing shapes, common fish target shapes and even some recommendations for suitable rods.

Whilst this article is only a guide and we have narrowed everything down to common uses there may be many other uses that our casters can be used for but we trust you will find this guide very useful in helping you Find and select the best fishing reel for your needs.

If you still need further assistance, we will be happy to help you. Contact us via our live chat, email or phone.

” } }] }

Your guide to fishing reel sizes

(spinning reels)

Confused about what the model size numbers mean? – There are so many sizes when it comes to spinning reels and as a result it can often be a bit difficult to understand what the sizes mean and how to interpret which reel size is the best fishing reel for your fishing needs.

We are here to help! – Fishing Tackle Shop is well known in the fishing tackle e-commerce industry for providing a wealth of information to help you make an informed decision when shopping from us. In fact, we did a quick search on the internet and were surprised that we couldn’t find much information about fishing reel sizes at all, which is why we went out of our way to create this helpful guide to help novice and even more experienced anglers find out what the best Fishing reels are to buy in terms of the size that suits your fishing needs.

So what about roll size? 1000, 2000, 3000, 20, 25, 30 etc – to be honest every manufacturer rates their reels differently so there is no hard and fast rule but as a general rule of thumb the smaller the model number the smaller the reel but in 2 different ways. You might find a spinning reel in size 20 or 2000 or 25 and 2500 – so what’s up? Well essentially these are about the same size, it just has to do with how each individual reel manufacturer labeled their wares.

How do I choose the right role for me? – As you browse our fishing reels for sale, you need to consider where you are likely to be using the reel. What works reasonably well for rivers or lakes, for example, may not be the best reel for saltwater fishing from the boat or off the rocks.

In this guide below we’ve broken fishing reels into small, medium and large and given you some information on recommended line sizes, common fishing shapes, common fish target shapes and even some recommendations for suitable rods.

Whilst this article is only a guide and we have narrowed everything down to common uses there may be many other uses that our casters can be used for but we trust you will find this guide very useful in helping you Find and select the best fishing reel for your needs.

If you still need further assistance, we will be happy to help you. Contact us via our live chat, email or phone.

Section 1 – Small Spinning Reels

Spinning Reel Size: (1000 or 10)

Recommended Mono: 1-2kg (2-4lb)

1-2kg (2-4lb) Recommended braid: 4-8lb

4-8 lb Common Applications (Guide only): Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, etc.

Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors etc. Popular for fish species (most common species): bream, trout, whiting.

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: – Since the 1000 or 10 spinning reel is quite small, a rod you would typically pair this reel with is one that is around 6-7 feet in length, which has a fishing line rating of somewhere between 1-4kg.

Spinning Reel Size: (2000 or 20)

Recommended mono: 2kg-3kg (4-6lb)

2kg-3kg (4-6lb) Recommended braid: 5-10lb

5-10lb Common Applications (Guide only): Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, etc.

Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors etc. Popular for fish species (most common species): bream, trout, whiting, perch, flathead, perch, luderick.

Choosing a Rod for This Reel Size: A 2000 or 20 size reel, which is a fairly small reel, will ideally fit a 6ft – 7ft 6in rod with a line class rating of between 2 and 5kg.

Spinning Reel Size: (2500 or 25)

Recommended Mono: 2.5kg-4kg (5-8lb)

2.5kg-4kg (5-8lb) Recommended braid: 5-12lb

5-12 lb Common Applications (Guide only): Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, etc.

Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors etc. Popular for fish species (most common species): bream, trout, whiting, perch, flathead, perch, luderick.

Choosing a Rod for This Reel Size: Size 2500 or 25 reels are preferred by anglers using a rod in lengths between 6 and 7 feet that have a line gauge of around 2 to 5 kg.

Spinning Reel Size: (3000 or 30)

Recommended mono: 3kg-5kg (6-10lb)

3kg-5kg (6-10lb) Recommended braid: 6-14lb

6-14 lb Common Applications (Guide only): Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, etc.

Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors etc. Popular for fish species (most common species): Bream, Perch, Flathead, Tarwhine, KG Whiting, Mangrove Jack.

Choosing a fishing rod for this reel size: Size 3000 or 30 spinning reels, which are relatively light weight, usually work best when paired with a rod that is around 6-7ft 6in long and with a line rating between 3kg – 7kg. You can also use this reel as a lightweight blackfish reel on rods around 9-10ft long and up to 4kg.

Spinning reel size: (35/350/3500)

Recommended mono: 3kg-5kg (6-10lb)

3kg-5kg (6-10lb) Recommended braid: 6-14lb

6-14 lb Common Applications (Guide only): Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, etc.

Small fishing reel mainly suitable for light fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, harbors etc. Popular for fish species (most common species): Bream, Perch, Flathead, Tarwhine, KG Whiting, Mangrove Jack.

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: 35/350/3500 is a reel size you should use for pairing with a rod that is around 6-7ft long and has a line class rating between 3-7kg. This size also works well for a light 10ft rod rated at around 4kg if it is blackfish or whiting you are hunting.

Section 2 – Medium Size Spinning Reels

Spinning Reel Size: (4000 or 40)

Recommended mono: 4kg-6kg (8-12lb)

4kg-6kg (8-12lb) Recommended braid: 8-20lb

8-20 lb General Applications (Guide only): Medium fishing reel, mainly suitable for lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, light offshore boat fishing, etc.

Medium fishing reel mainly suitable for lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, light offshore boat fishing etc. Popular for fish species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Tailor, Mangrove Jack, Cod, Bone Fish, Barramundi, Mulloway, Drummer.

Choosing a Rod for This Reel Size: On a 4000 or 40 reel you start to increase in size a bit so this reel size is generally suitable for medium action rods from 6ft to 7ft (barra/snapper rod). is a line rating of around 4kg to 10kg or in an 8-10ft rod (light surf) with a light line rating of around 3-5kg. Keep in mind that this is just a guide to suggest general uses, so you can definitely use this role for several other uses as well.

Spinning Reel Size: (5000 or 50)

Recommended mono: 5kg-7kg (10-14lb)

5kg-7kg (10-14lb) Recommended braid: 10-25lb

10-25lb Common Applications (Guide only): Medium fishing reel, mainly suitable for lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, light offshore boat fishing, etc.

Medium fishing reel mainly suitable for lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, light offshore boat fishing etc. Popular for fish species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Tailor, Mangrove Jack, Cod, Bone Fish, Barramundi, Mulloway.

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: 5000 or 50 reels are medium sized and generally pair well with 6-7ft barra or snapper rods weighing up to 10kg or are excellent for light 10m reels . 11ft surf rod rated up to 6kg or you can even use this fishing reel on an 8-9ft general purpose rod.

Spinning reel size: (45/450/4500)

Recommended mono: 4kg-6kg (8-12lb)

4kg-6kg (8-12lb) Recommended braid: 8-20lb

8-20 lb General Applications (Guide only): Medium fishing reel, mainly suitable for lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, light offshore boat fishing, etc.

Medium fishing reel mainly suitable for lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, light offshore boat fishing etc. Popular for fish species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Tailor, Mangrove Jack, Cod, Bone Fish, Barramundi, Mulloway, Drummer.

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: 45/450/4500 models are great mid-size reels that fit 6-8ft rods with a mid-range rating of between 4-10kg. This is not what you are limited to however as it will also fit a light surf rod rated up to 5kg.

Spinning reel size: (55/550/5500)

Recommended mono: 5kg-7kg (10-14lb)

5kg-7kg (10-14lb) Recommended braid: 10-25lb

10-25lb Common Applications (Guide only): Medium fishing reel, mainly suitable for lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, light offshore boat fishing, etc.

Medium fishing reel mainly suitable for lakes, rivers, bays, harbors, light offshore boat fishing etc. Popular for fish species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Tailor, Mangrove Jack, Cod, Bone Fish, Barramundi, Mulloway.

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: Sizes 55/550/5500 tend to work well with marrying 6-7ft snapper or barramundi fishing rods up to 10kg and are suitable for up to 10-11ft surf/mid range fishing rods. Rock rods rated up to 6kg and in addition to this reel also work well with an 8-9ft general purpose spinning rod.

Section 3 – Large Spinning Reels

Spinning Reel Size: (6000 or 60)

Recommended mono: 6kg-8kg (12-16lb)

6kg-8kg (12-16lb) Recommended braid: 12-30lb

12-30 lb Common Uses (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Tailor, Cod, Mulloway, Aust Salmon, Kingfish, Samson Fish, Mulloway.

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: At 6000 or 60 we start to focus on larger fishing reels and therefore this fishing reel is usually suitable for 5-8ft boat fishing rods and 8-9ft general purpose spinning rods or 10 foot rock/surf rods with a line rating between 14 and 30 lbs.

Spinning Reel Size: (7000 or 70)

Recommended mono: 7kg-9kg (14-18lb)

7kg-9kg (14-18lb) Recommended braid: 15-40lb

15-40 lb Common Uses (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Tailor, Cod, Mulloway, Aust Salmon, Kingfish, Samson Fish, Groper, Mulloway

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: 7000 or 70 is a fishing reel size that fits boat fishing rods (spin models), 10 or 12 foot beach rods or even 8-9 foot general purpose rods. In terms of rod line ratings, generally when using monofilament you should look for a rod that is rated roughly in the 6-10kg range and when using braided fishing line you can usually use rods rated between 6 – 20kg.

Spinning Reel Size: (8000 or 80)

Recommended mono: 8kg-10kg (16-20lb)

8kg-10kg (16-20lb) Recommended braid: 20-50lb

20-50 lb Common Uses (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Tailor, Kingfish, Aust Salmon, Kingfish, Samson fish, Grouper, Mulloway.

Choosing a Rod for This Reel Size: Size 8000 or 80 reels are large reels designed primarily for surf, rock or deep sea fishing. So what you would normally look for in a rod that fits is a rod that is around 12 feet or more in length if surf fishing is your thing, otherwise if boat fishing is more your style, usually a rod rated at 10kg or more should be good.

Spinning Reel Size: (10,000 or 100)

Recommended Mono: 10kg-12.5kg (20-25lb)

10kg-12.5kg (20-25lb) Recommended braid: 30lb+

Common Applications over 30lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for fish species (most common species): snapper, morwong, kingfish, mulloway, small sharks, large mackerel, mahi mahi, small tuna.

Choose a Rod That Fits This Reel Size: The 10,000 or 100 model size will give you a large capacity reel that will often perfectly fit any rod 10 feet or longer. You can even use them in conjunction with a spinning type boat rod or jigging rod that weighs over 10kg.

Spinning Reel Size: (12,000)

Recommended Mono: 12kg+

12kg+ Recommended braid: 30lb+

Common Applications over 30lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for fish species (most common species): snapper, morwong, kingfish, mulloway, small sharks, large mackerel, mahi mahi, small tuna.

Choosing a Rod for This Reel Size The 12,000-size spinning reel is limited to the most common uses and is suitable for fairly serious medium-capacity fishing styles. Ideal for any rod 10ft or longer when fishing from the bank or 5-8ft for fishing from the boat. In terms of line rating, you should focus on finding a rod that is rated at least 10-15kg and up depending on your intended target species and fishing style.

Spinning Reel Size: (14,000)

Recommended Mono: 14kg+

14kg+ Recommended braid: 30lb+

Common Applications over 30lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (Most Common Species): Snapper, Morwong, Kingfish, Mulloway, Small Sharks, Large Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Small Tuna, GT.

Choosing a fishing rod for this reel size: The 14,000 model is gradually approaching the transition between a large and an extra large reel. Therefore you should pair this reel with a 12ft or longer beach rod, a heavy 8ft GT popper rod or a boat rod (spin type). Choosing the line class really comes down to personal preference, but in general we would recommend going with a rod rated at over 14kg.

Spinning Reel Size: (16,000)

Recommended Mono: 16kg+

16kg+ Recommended braid: 40lb+

Common Applications over 40lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Kingfish, Mulloway, Sharks, Big Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Small Tuna, GT.

Choosing a fishing rod for this reel size: Suitable for boat fishing for bottom jumping or jigging, or for use on the beach and coastal rocks. An ideal rod choice for a 16,000 spinning reel would be a 12 foot rod or longer for shore fishing and a size between 5 and 7 feet for boat fishing. In terms of line class we would recommend looking for a rod rated at over 14kg.

Spinning Reel Size: (18,000)

Recommended Mono: 18kg+

18kg+ Recommended braid: 40lb+

Common Applications over 40lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Kingfish, Mulloway, Sharks, Big Mackerel, Small Tuna, GT.

Choosing a Rod for This Reel Size: For heavy surf fishing, an 18,000 model will pair well with a 12ft or longer surf rod rated at 10-15kg or more. This reel is also popular for targeting GT and will pair well with a GT popper rod or for the ocean going boat angler or jigger you will appreciate this large reel for a large capacity that can be used with a boat or jigging rod in the spin Style of over 15 kg can be combined.

Spinning Reel Size: (20,000)

Recommended mono: 20kg+

20kg+ Recommended braid: 50lb+

Common Applications over 50lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Mulloway, Sharks, Tuna, Greater Mackerel, GT.

Choosing a Rod for This Reel Size: Fishing on the beach and from the boat is what anglers can typically expect a size 20,000 spinning reel to do. So if you are looking for a rod that is this size, you should buy a rod that is between 12-16 feet long and rated for heavy surf fishing at 10-15kg and up. For use on a boat look for a spin type boat rod rated between 15 and 40kg and this wide range is because it can depend on the intended target species and the type of line used, be it mono – or braided cord. Since braided line is fairly thin in diameter, you can usually use heavier gauge lines and still have decent capacity.

Spinning Reel Size: (25,000)

Recommended mono weight: 25kg+

25kg+ Recommended braid: 50lb+

Common Applications over 50lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for fish species (most common species): kingfish, mulloway, sharks, tuna, big mackerel, GT, marlin.

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: 25,000 reels work well for beach or boat fishing and when it comes to choosing a suitable rod, choose a rod that is at least 12 feet long and has a line weight of 15kg and up for beach fishing or in relation to boat fishing, choose a rod that is between 5 and 7 feet long with a line rating of 50lbs and up.

Spinning Reel Size: (30,000)

Recommended Mono: 30kg+

30kg+ Recommended braid: 80lb+

Common Applications over 80lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat fishing

Large reel commonly used for boat fishing. Popular for fish species (most common species): kingfish, mulloway, sharks, tuna, big mackerel, GT, marlin.

Choosing a fishing rod for this reel size: 30,000 is the beast of all beasts. It’s a heavy-duty, monster-sized reel tailored for the serious boat fisherman on the hunt for big fish. Use this reel on a boat spinning rod weighing 50-80 lbs or more.

Spinning reel size: (65/650/6500)

Recommended mono: 6kg-8kg (12-16lb)

6kg-8kg (12-16lb) Recommended braid: 12-30lb

12-30 lb Common Uses (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Tailor, Cod, Mulloway, Aust Salmon, Kingfish, Samson Fish, Mulloway.

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: A size 65/650 or 6500 is a size where we start to move into the beginning of the larger types of fishing reels. These sizes are commonly used in conjunction with offshore boat fishing rods of around 5-7ft and are also used for 8ft, 9ft or 10ft fishing rods for shore fishing with most fiberglass rods being between 6-15 kg are rated.

Spinning reel size: (75/750/7500)

Recommended mono: 8kg-10kg (16-20lb)

8kg-10kg (16-20lb) Recommended braid: 20-50lb

20-50 lb Common Uses (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Tailor, Kingfish, Aust Salmon, Kingfish, Samson fish, Grouper, Mulloway.

Choose a rod for this reel size: Size 75, 750 or 7500 is a large size that works well with heavy 9ft, 10ft or 12ft rods for shore fishing and line class , look for a rod with a line rating of 10kg or more. For the boat angler you will also find a spin style boat rod with a line strength of 10kg or more.

Spinning reel size: (85/850/8500)

Recommended Mono: 12kg+

12kg+ Recommended braid: 30lb+

Common Applications over 30lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Kingfish, Mulloway, Sharks, Big Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, GT

Choosing a Fishing Rod for This Reel Size: Where you would probably use an 85/850/8500 spinning reel is a rod that is either 10 feet or longer for fishing from the beach or rocks. You would also comfortably use this size on a heavy action offshore boat rod of 5ft or longer. When it comes to rod grading, look for a rod rated for fishing 10kg line or heavier.

Spinning reel size: (95/950/9500)

Recommended Mono: 14kg+

14kg+ Recommended braid: 30lb+

Common Applications over 30lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat, beach or rock fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Snapper, Morwong, Kingfish, Mulloway, Sharks, Big Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, GT

Choose a fishing rod that fits this reel size: 95/950/9500 are high performance style reels designed for heavy duty fishing or those who love large line capacities. In terms of rods to match, if you can find a surf rod that is 12ft or more or a heavy boat rod that is 10-15kg or more line gauge then you are on the right track to a perfect combination.

Spinning Reel Size: (10500)

Recommended Mono: 20kg+

20kg+ Recommended braid: 50lb+

Common Applications over 50lb (Guide only): Large reel commonly used for boat fishing.

Large reel commonly used for boat fishing. Popular for Fish Species (most common species): Kingfish, Mulloway, Sharks, Tuna, Big Mackerel, GT, Marli.

Choosing a fishing rod for this reel size: While you could use a 10,500 reel from the bank, it can get a little tricky to cast. While it’s not impossible to typically use this reel on a bank rod where you would most likely be using this reel from a boat, this beast of a reel is best paired with rods rated to take line over 24 kg.

The best mackerel fishing rods are a lightweight spinning rod, a beach caster, or a surf rod, depending on the conditions. In addition to saltwater rods, you can also use freshwater rods depending on your preference. For best results, use a rod tip that is around 24mm in diameter.

When it comes to mackerel fishing, no finesse or complicated settings are required. In addition, no special rods and reels are required. Choose a lightweight spinning rod or bait rod and combine it with a compact spinning reel to get the most out of your fishing experience. Use 15lb monofilament line or, even better, 15lb braid for this project.

What size rod for mackerel fishing?

Mackerel fishing doesn’t require finesse or sophisticated setups. There is also no need to use special rods and reels for this type of fishing. Choose a lightweight spinning rod or lure rod and combine it with a compact spinning spool reel to get the most out of your fishing experience! Use 15lb monofilament line or, even better, 15lb braided line for best results.

How do you fish for king mackerel?

12 tips for catching king mackerel. 1 1. Choosing the right boat. Almost any boat can be used to fish king mackerel, but the most regular winners are those with a center console between 23 and 45 feet in length. Make sure your boat is equipped for success. Three (3): Do your homework 4 Kingfish Baits & Lures are available. 5 5. Make a spread out of fish. There are more articles.

What is the best bait for mackerel fishing?

They are extremely deadly to mackerel and can be used as bait if reduced to small proportions. Sabiki: A mini lure that is excellent for catching small baitfish such as sandeel, lance, herring, mackerel and scad, among other species.

Which rod do I need for feather fishing?

We need a rod capable of taking on a lot of fish at once and pulling fish up the coast or up the harbor walls and piers. To deal with the rigors of feather fishing we recommend using a 10-12ft rod with a fairly heavy casting weight which you can find here. For reels we need a 60 mm saltwater stationary reel.

What do you need for mackerel fishing?

Mackerel catching techniques involving the use of a small light colored bait such as a spoon, spinner or imitation bait fish, as well as float fishing with small disc bait have proven effective. A feather line or small bait, on the other hand, outperforms all other options.

What hook size is best for mackerel?

What hook size should I use for mackerel? The most common hook used for mackerel is a size 1O, but many anglers feel this is too large a size. Sabiki feathers, a Japanese alternative to the typical large mackerel feathers, are vastly superior to the traditional large mackerel feathers.

Which rod do you need for Spanish mackerel?

Whenever I was casting for Spanish mackerel from beaches or jetties, my preferred setup consisted of medium to medium light rods ranging in length from 7ft 6″ to 8ft 6″, along with matching spinning reels spooled at 10lbs to 15lbs – Test braided line.

Can you catch mackerel at low tide?

registered. You can also try fishing from a harbor entrance at low tide, but you must be there during the still water or you will be drawn in. Langstone or Chi are both nice places but watch out for the boats and beachcasters…………………………………

Where is mackerel caught?

According to National Geographic, it can be found in the Northeast Atlantic, from Norway to Morocco and the Canary Islands, as well as in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. From Labrador to North Carolina it can be found in the northwestern Atlantic.

What fish can you catch with mackerel?

Pout, whiting, school bass, spiny dogfish and flatfish species can all be caught with small mackerel baits that can be as small as 1-2 cm (1/4-1/12 inch) long. Larger mackerel strips, 3 to 6 cm (1 to 2 in) long, can be used for general sea fishing to target species such as pout, whiting, school bass, dogfish and flatfish species.

What hook size for mackerel feathers?

For the most part, the daylight and feather lures are sold with the size 2/0 hooks already attached, which is the perfect size for catching mackerel, which is the main goal of most fishermen using this type of lure.

Which pound leader is mackerel?

Fluorocarbon leads with test lines from 25lbs to 50lbs have become increasingly popular in Spanish mackerel fishing. Most Spanish mackerel weigh 2 to 3 pounds, so you only need 8 to 12 pounds of test line for your main line, which is why the leader is so important.

At what depth does mackerel eat?

Mackerel mostly stay at the same depth, which is between 8 feet and 20 feet. They also tend to congregate in close proximity to cliffs and walls. If you are fishing from a pier you will most likely only need to cast between 5 and 30 meters depending on the conditions.

Mackerel fishing is one of the best summertime pastimes. Ounce for ounce, the mackerel is one of the hardest fighting saltwater species. Aiming at mackerel with feathers is probably the most well-known method, but other methods can also be very effective. It all depends on the conditions and what you want to achieve. Want to quickly stock up your freezer or have some fun? In this blog post, I describe 5 methods I use to catch mackerel, each with their pros and cons.

1. Mackerel fishing with feathers

Springs from a pier is a popular summer activity

Aiming at mackerel with feathers or daylights can be extremely effective. All you need is a stable rod, weights and some spring hooklinks. A set of feathers mimics a school of bait fish. A “pull and wind” retrieve gives the best action. Simply lift the bar up to move the springs up, then point the bar forward as you reel in the slack line. Repeat this until you come across a school of mackerel. These are the nibs I use most of the time. But you can also make your own, as shown in this video.

advantages

If the mackerel are in large numbers, you can catch large numbers in a short amount of time. Great when planning a barbecue or need to stock up on bait.

There is no need to bring bait.

You can cover a lot of “ground” depending on the weights and rod you use.

Disadvantages

You lose a lot of tackle in bumpy areas. Nothing snags like 4 or more hooks on a leader.

You are not experiencing the mackerel’s true fighting potential. A light tackle mackerel will fight a lot harder than six of them with beach casters.

This style of fishing can become repetitive fairly quickly, whether you catch or not.

Not very catch and release friendly, especially when fishing from a tall structure like a pier. So make sure you really need all those fish. (More on handling mackerel later.)

2. Float fishing for mackerel

This 2 pound mackerel was caught with a float

I prefer to fish mackerel with a float. Nothing beats the excitement of a swimmer disappearing underwater. It also means you can fish with light gear, making catching mackerel a lot more fun. For detailed information about float fishing in the sea, please read this post. The float I use most of the time is this one.

advantages

They can cover large areas. Just let the tide take your swimmer.

You can adjust the depth until you find the fish.

Great sport, especially if you use light equipment.

You’ll get a lot less snagging, making this a perfect method for fishing on uneven bottoms.

Interesting by-catches such as saithe and garfish.

Disadvantages

You need to take bait with you (I recommend sprats). You don’t need to pack a lot of bait though because once you’ve caught a mackerel you’ll have plenty of bait for the day (mackerel strips make great bait for float fishing).

You can only catch one fish at a time unless you use the method detailed below.

Mackerel float rig with multiple hooks

Large swimmers work best with this method

I don’t use this rig very often as I prefer to fish light, but it can be a real killer when there’s a lot of mackerel. For this method you will need a float that will hold a 3 or 4 ounce lead. Use the float rig set up as described in this post but without the bullet weight. Slide a bead under the float and attach a feather trace to your main line (as shown in the picture). Clip the desired weight to the lead clip, bait the feathers with mackerel strips or sprats and you’re ready to go. You don’t have to use a feather rig, of course. You can also bind a multi-hook trace using the method described below (Method 4).

The weight is clipped to the bottom of the curve

This method works best with a bass rod or light weight beach thrower. It’s the perfect method when you want to quickly catch mackerel as bait. Most often, the mackerel hooks against the buoyancy of the swimmer.

3. Spiders for mackerel

Such a stunning looking fish…

Spinning is another great way to catch mackerel. You don’t need to take a lot of gear: a box of lures, a spinning rod and a reel is all you need. If you balance the tackle properly, it’s like catching a miniature tuna. Of course, the gear used will depend heavily on the distance you need to reach the fish. When underfoot, LRF or perch tackle is most fun. But if you’re using 1oz+ bait you might want to go for something heavier. Try different fetches. Sometimes a steady retrieve works best, sometimes a jerky one.

When it comes to spinners, you don’t need to buy anything special. I find these stinger types work really well. They are also very good for Pollock. They come in a variety of sizes so you can decide which one to use based on your water depth and casting distance. Dexter wedges also work very well.

Fishing is much easier when the mackerel are around. These lures work great with LRF tackle.

advantages

Great sport with light tackle.

No need to bring bait or loads of gear.

Very active way of fishing.

Interesting by-catches such as saithe and garfish.

Disadvantages

You’ll snag a lot easier than with a pose, especially if you’re using triplets.

Spinning can get tiring after a while, especially if you’re not catching much. Of course, if you have a bit of bait with you, you can always switch to a float rig and try that out.

4. Ledger for mackerel

Simply sand…

This method is a great “passive” way to catch mackerel. I often set up a ‘bonus’ rod for mackerel while bottoming other species at the same time. You can’t watch the tips of your rod on a tripod and a float at the same time, so this is a great way to spread your odds. The most important part of this method is keeping the bait off the bottom.

No knot needed

The easiest way to tie this rig is to tie it straight off the main line, 15lb works best. Tie the weight (2 ounces is usually sufficient) to the end of the leash. Then tie a dropper loop at least 5 feet above the weight, then tie another 2 loops over this about a foot apart. Loop the hooks (size 1 or 2) onto the loops and you’re done. In order to cast this rig you will need a rod of reasonable length, e.g. B. a 12 foot carp rod. This method works best when you’re fishing nearby in good water depth.

advantages

Perfect method when you’re feeling lazy. Bait, cast and sit back until a shoal hits you.

Good setup for a ‘bonus’ rod. It’s always nice to catch some mackerel when the target species doesn’t cooperate.

Disadvantages

You have to bring bait.

Not very suitable for coarse floors. Even if the hooks are down, the weight can still get stuck.

Doesn’t work at a distance as the hooks land on the sea floor.

Not as efficient as the previous methods.

5. Fly fishing for mackerel

I have to admit that I’m not a big fly fisherman (I mostly hooked on myself or things around me) but a friend of mine has had a lot of success with this method. Fly fishing for mackerel is only possible when the fish are close and the weather is very calm. It can be extremely effective when the mackerel is hunting in shallow water, as you can see in this video.

advantages

Very effective in shallow water.

Great sport.

You don’t need to bring a lot of tackle.

Disadvantages

Only works in calm conditions when the fish are very close.

More mackerel fishing tips

find mackerel

Mackerel are pretty easy to catch, but you have to find them first. Mackerel like to be near buildings where it is easier to ambush their prayer. Breakwaters, piers and rock markers are good spots for mackerel fishing. When the mackerel hunt near the surface they are fairly easy to spot. Just look for the baitfish that will jump to the surface. If you throw jack mackerel into a school, it’s very difficult not to catch them. When there are no clear signs of a mackerel hunt, I tend to look out for schools of sprat near the water’s edge. Once you have found the sprat, the mackerel are usually not far away.

When to fish for mackerel

As I described in this post, the fish have to be there in order to be able to catch them. Where I live the mackerel don’t show up until late June. Targeting them beforehand is usually a waste of time. When they are there, you can catch mackerel almost all year round. The last few hours before sunset can be particularly productive. If you do not have much experience in sea fishing and do not want to give up fishing after the disappearance of mackerel, read my tips for beginners.

hook size

Mackerel have small mouths, so if you miss a lot of bites, go down a hook size or two. Depending on the size of your lure you can go down to a size 4 or even a 6.

handling mackerel

If you want to keep mackerel for the pot or as bait, ship them right away. A firm hit to the head with a Priest works best. Another way to destroy mackerel is to snap their necks. Place your thumb in the fish’s mouth and the rest of your hand on the back of its head, “folding” its head towards its back. It may sound cruel, but it’s one of the most humane ways to kill them.

catch and release

Some people claim that mackerel die within 24 hours of being touched by humans because they lose the protective mucus on their scales. I doubt that’s entirely true, but it’s true that mackerel’s skin is quite delicate. If you’re holding a mackerel with dry hands, you’re probably removing a lot of scales, and that can’t be good by any means. So always make sure your hands are wet when handling mackerel — or any other fish you’re trying to release.

If you can avoid holding the fish whole, even better. When you are near the water, you can simply “shake” the fish off the hook. The easiest way to do this is to hold the hook at the bend (upside down) with tweezers or pliers. Single barbless hooks are best for catch and release. They do the least damage and are easy to remove.

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How to catch mackerel

Mackerel are a very common fish in our waters. They taste good and are a good fish to use as bait.

Here is a guide to the different methods and ways to catch mackerel.

general information

Mackerel are seasonal fish and usually enter our waters towards the end of Spring and leave in early Autumn… BUT… For the last two years the Mackerel arrived at the end of September and stayed until January/February. People have been catching mackerel all winter and I’ve personally seen schools of mackerel in January.

You can easily find them near piers, harbors, and jetties that provide easy access to deep waters and tidal currents that mackerel prefer. They tend to feed about halfway down the sea floor. Saithe, whiting and mackerel all hunt at about the same depth (halfway up).

When you catch a mackerel

Few know this, but if you are unhooking a mackerel to cast it back, please do not hold the mackerel by the sides to unhook it. All those scales on your hands or cloth are what the mackerel needs to control its temperature, and without those scales it will die within a day or two.

Either wiggle the hook while it’s on the ground, or try to hold it at the top and bottom of the mackerel to untie it.

At what depth to catch mackerel

Mackerel usually hunt about halfway down the sea floor. Use this picture as a rough guide to the whereabouts of the mackerel…

It’s useful to try different depths to see what you can catch. If others are fishing but you are not, why not take a look at where their stop knot is and how deep they are fishing.

device failure

You will catch mackerel around the 1-2lb mark so you don’t need a strong setup but the more feathers you have on the line the stronger your rod and reel will need to be.

If you are bouncing with 3-6 springs, tighten slightly around 15lb line on a spinning reel. I have used all types of rods for feathering and alternate between using 3,4,5 or 6 feathers depending on how well the rod and reel can hold the amount of fish on feathers.

I start out using a 9ft spinning rod with 2-3 feathers on a fairly light reel. Once I know the mackerel is close I switch to a stronger rod and reel and tape 5 or more feathers on it. I only have to use the heavier setup a few times before I have all the bait I need plus dinner for the family that evening.

The reason I do this is because my arms start to hurt quickly when I use the heavier gear. If I know I’m going to be feathering for a while, I use the light gear first, which allows me to feather for as long as I need. Once I know they’re around, I’ll switch up if I need to, or just stick with a few at a time.

You have a few options for catching mackerel. They are:

So let’s look at each one in detail…

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float fishing

If you’ve never used a float before, you need to check out my How to Set Up for Float Fishing guide. Mackerel generally stay at the same depth, which ranges from 8 feet to 20 feet. They also generally hang out near cliffs and walls.

If you are fishing from a pier you will probably only need to cast between 5 and 30 metres. I often see people on piers casting as far as possible, but mackerel tend to stay closer to the pier and cliff walls.

The best places to catch mackerel are piers and rocks, both of which are already in deeper water. Mackerel don’t usually come too close to the beach. That doesn’t mean it isn’t the case, but generally you’ll get much better results if you fish off the beach.

The best baits are the shiny ones. The most common bait used to catch mackerel is the mackerel itself. Mackerel strips are excellent baits. You may also want to see my How To Set Up a Mackerel as a Bait guide in the Beginner’s Guides section.

Other baits used are garfish, sea bass, sandeel and squid. When a mackerel attacks a bait on a float, it’s usually hard and fast. Your swimmer will shoot down quickly and the vast majority of people will pounce when the swimmer goes under quickly. If the swimmer goes down just a little bit and then comes up again, I’d wait a bit to see what happens.

An increasingly popular hook for catching mackerel is the circle hook like this one:

Due to the design, it is much more difficult for a fish to escape this type of hook compared to other species. I use circle hooks every time I swim fish and the results are way better!

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Spiders for mackerel

There are so many baits on the market that it is very confusing which one to get. The job of spinning is easy. You attach a snapping swivel to the line and then the bait to the end of it. Then you are ready to go. The only lure that keeps being mentioned for mackerel is the Dexter Wedge, shown here:

The Dexter Wedge is a great lure for catching mackerel, wrasse and bass

This lure has been around for a long time and is a well established mackerel and perch lure. There are a few sizes but my advice is if you’re fishing from the bank don’t go too big. Even the smallest skill wedges can catch some powerful fish.

Once you’ve cast out there are a few ways to reel in the bait and it’s really up to you to experiment to find the one that works for you. The few more common methods are as follows:

The big long train

Once you have a taut line after the cast, simply pull the rod back in one continuous motion while holding it at waist height. Then move the rod forward again while taking in the slack. You then repeat. You will probably do 3 or 4 complete turns on the reel.

You can also pull the bar back from the floor up over your head. The first way keeps the lure at pretty much the same depth while the downward movement raises the lure in the water. I prefer the first method, but choose the one that suits you.

The short sharp twitch

Once you have a taut line after the cast, hold the tip of the rod low and gently pull the rod as you slowly reel in the line. By small movements I mean about half an arm’s length at a time. This is a good method for lures with rattles.

The delayed reaction

Once you’ve cast out and gotten the line taut, hold the rod steady and spin the reel a few times to get the bait moving a few feet, then hold for a few seconds (4 to 8 is good). Then repeat this process over and over again.

For all of this you need a lightweight rod with a good bend so every pull you make travels down the line to the bait. Very short, light twitches mimic a fish in distress so the rod must be able to transfer this to the bait.

A light spinning rod is designed to do just that, so try to get a spinning rod if you like using bait.

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Feathers for mackerel

Springs usually have 3 to 6 springs, strips of plastic, or other similar things attached to each hook, as seen here:

The mackerel feathers are a complete rig. They have a long line with each feather about 30 cm apart. They either have a swivel at both ends or a loop at both ends. You attach your main line (coming off your rod) to one end and a weight of your choice to the other end. People ask me what my favorite feathers are. I love both; The SeaTech Hokkai Red 3 hook trace springs or the SeaTech Sea Devils 4 hook trace springs. I usually carry a lot of different species with me, but these are the two I like to use the most and I get the most mackerel.

If you have a light setup, you shouldn’t use more than 3 springs. By easy setup I mean if you are using gear like a spinning rod, a very cheap rod and reel etc. You should only use the amount of springs your gear can handle. A large beach caster with a powerful multiplier or spinning reel can handle the weight of 6 mackerel on line.

You’ll often see people throwing their feathers as far as they can, but often the mackerel aren’t far out to sea, they’re right under your feet. You can often catch them by simply tossing the line into the sea beneath you and just slowly raising and lowering your rod. Mackerel tend not to be all the way down to the bottom of the sea so drop them to the bottom and then move them about halfway up and then start raising and lowering your rod.

Important Notes!

Don’t feather at night, the fish can’t see the feathers in the dark! I’m amazed at how many times I’ve seen people flying around in complete darkness wondering why they can’t catch anything.

Even if the sea is very cloudy, the fish cannot see the shimmer and shine of the feathers in the water. Plunging is best when the sun is shining and the water is fairly clear.

spring technique

When casting out, let the weight hit the seabed BEFORE you close the latch and start sailing. To begin, roll the slackline in until you feel the weight and then stop rolling further. Now simply pull the bar back from waist level to head level in one continuous motion. You don’t reel in the line as you pull the rod back, so only reel in the slackline when you bring the rod back down to waist height. You will probably do 3 or 4 complete turns on the reel.

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For the weight, I wouldn’t go heavier than a 4 ounce weight (I usually only use a 2 ounce weight). You want a nice streamlined weight like the torpedo weight to help with casting distances. I use the torpedo style weight for my springs as I find them to be a good fit for my setup. This is how they look:

Torpedo weights are great for streamline throwing

There are other types of weights. Bombers are good weights too. They are smaller than these and can also cast far.

Most store-bought springs have loops at the top and bottom. To attach the weight, simply slip the loop and knot through the loop of the weight, then slip the weight through the loop of the spring and tighten. Here is an example:

click to enlarge

You will also need to attach the leash to the top loop. The most common knot for this is probably the blood knot. When mackerel are in large numbers it is not uncommon to reel in a mackerel on each feather.

BEST FEATHER TIP!

Remember, if you’re feathering on a pier or breakwater, just drop the feathers directly below you and stand there to wave them up and down. You wouldn’t believe the number of times I’ve left the pier with a bucket full of mackerel for a family barbecue and no one else had any just because I did.

When I’m feathering I see people casting HUGE distances, but the mackerel can often swim close to the pier wall. If you cast far enough until the feathers are close to the wall, they’re almost out of the water, so you’re never deep enough on the pier wall to find them.

Want to have fun?

On really light gear, mackerel put up a real fight. When I’m in the mood, I go down my local pier with a cheap and nasty 8ft telescopic rod. I’m using a reel I bought for a tenner and I have a 2lb line on the reel and I’m casting a float. With this type of setup, what used to take a few seconds becomes a 5-15 minute struggle as you struggle to reach it. I really recommend doing this if you can, it’s great fun!

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Trolling for King and Spanish Mackerel… Please enable JavaScript Trolling for King and Spanish Mackerel

Fishing Tips for Florida King Mackerel

This article is about king mackerel fishing in Florida. King mackerel are a very popular game fish. They are found in coastal waters along the entire coast of the Gulf of Mexico and along the east coast of the United States to the mid-Atlantic. They are also abundant in the Caribbean.

King mackerel are a pelagic species, meaning they spend most of their time in the upper part of the water column. They are constantly in motion, although related to structure. Kingfish are one of the most popular offshore game fish in Florida. Their migration patterns mirror those of the baitfish they feed on. The world record king mackerel weighs 93 pounds and was caught in Puerto Rico. Kings are very good to eat freshly made, although they don’t freeze well.

1) Finding bait is crucial for catching king mackerel

King mackerel will never be far from the food. They feed in schools in open water, looking for bait fish. The type of fish they feed on depends on location and season. Scale sardines, threadfin herring, blue runners, cigar minnows, pogies and mullets are just a few of the most popular baitfish species that king mackerel feed on. Schools of bait can either be seen on the surface with indentations or located using a bottom machine.

Anglers can purchase Capt Jim’s Inshore Saltwater Fishing e-book for $5 by clicking the title link. It’s 23,000 words long and covers tackle, tactics and species.

King mackerel and other pelagic species will migrate with the bait. In spring the movement goes north and in autumn it reverses to the south. Some king mackerel are caught offshore in summer. They are plentiful in the Florida Keys during winter.

2) Kingfish love structure

While king mackerel are an open water fish, they often refer to some type of structure. One reason is that the structure tends to attract the baitfish they feed on. Areas of hard bottom, rocky outcrops, reefs, wrecks and oil rigs will all attract and hold kings. Generally, structures in water depths between 30 feet and 75 feet are the best spots. However, they can be found both directly on the beach and very far offshore.

Wrecks and artificial reefs abound off both Florida coasts. The most effective spots are generally in water that is between 40 feet and 30 feet deep. The good news is that most of these spots are public knowledge. Anglers can easily find GPS numbers online or on local government websites. When the kings are dense it is easy to spot the gathering of boats around productive reefs.

Light trolling trolling in saltwater video

Natural rocky outcrops should not be overlooked by anglers Florida King Mackerel Fishing! While these spots don’t typically host the larger shoals of kings, they also experience less fishing pressure. An added bonus is that anglers can fish for grouper and snapper on the bottom while waiting for a king to show up in the mate. This is a great two pronged approach allowing anglers to fish for snapper and grouper on the bottom whilst being free to set a bait for king mackerel. Live shrimp also work in this situation.

3) Fishing rods and reels for king mackerel

King mackerel are one of the fastest fish species in the sea. Big kings are called “smokers” because their initial runs are red-hot and can literally “smoke” the draw. Reels, whether conventional or spinning reels, must have a high line capacity and a very even resistance. Fast retrieval ratios are also helpful when retrieving line back onto the spool. King mackerel often return and swim towards the boat. They often swim through and cut through the line. A quick roll is very helpful!

Both spinning tackle and conventional tackle work well for Florida kingfish fishing. Watering is very rarely required. Most kings are caught by anglers fishing with trolling or free feed baits. Long, supple rods work best, especially when using live bait fish. Limber tips help keep the small treble hooks used on stinger rigs in the fish. Sturdier traditional rods work best for trolling #2 and #3 planer rigs. Below are a few Penn combos that work well at an affordable price. Click the picture to shop.

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4) Planes are an effective tool for trolling for king mackerel

Most king mackerel are caught by trolling anglers. Planers are a clever piece of equipment that allow anglers to get the bait in the water column to their desired depth while maintaining the most productive 5mph to 7mph speed. Planes come in several sizes. A #1 plane dives 5 to 7 feet, a #2 plane dives up to 12 feet, and a #3 plane dives up to 25 feet. Planes are great when you’re after large numbers of fish, as opposed to big fish. They also allow anglers to cover a lot of water.

Sarasota Trolling Techniques Video

Spoons are most commonly used in conjunction with slicers. A long leader is used between the plane and the spoon, with 20 feet being a good overall length. Fluorocarbon leaders from the 50 lb test to the 80 lb test work well. Black carabiner swivels on both ends help reduce line twists. The size of the spoon should be matched to the bait fish species native to the area. Large spoons are most commonly used. Plugs can also be used as long as they have a small lip that won’t trip the planer. This rig can be cumbersome but works very well for king mackerel and other species.

5) When fishing for king mackerel, the right leader is important

Like all mackerel, king mackerel have a mouth full of very sharp teeth. However, this does not mean that wire guides must always be used. The longer the leader, the better the action, within reason. Angler’s trolling spoons work well for a 20 foot section of 50 to 80 pounds of fluorocarbon. Very few cutoffs occur when trolling with these larger spoons. The fish must be hand fed the length of the leader.

Fishing trolls typically use a small gauge wire leader combined with a snap leader. The best rig has 5 feet of double line with a bimini twist or spider hitch. A 5ft length of 80lb fluorocarbon hooklink is added. Finally, a short piece of wire completes the rig. This works well when using a hook to free live bait or pieces of cut bait.

6) Use stinger rigs with live bait when targeting kings

Anglers slow trolling with live bait fish often use a stinger rig. They can also be used when drifting or fishing from an anchored boat. This rig consists of two hooks on a 2ft to 3ft wire leader. The front hook is either a treble or a single hook. It is used to secure the baitfish through the nose. The back hook is almost always a three of a kind. It either swings freely or easily hooks into the back of the baitfish. King mackerel often attack the back half of the bait. Stinger rigs dramatically increase the port ratio. Pull lightly, as the hook often only catches the side of the face or cheek.

7) Troll wobbler for king mackerel

Wobblers work very well when trolling for king mackerel. Plugs come in a myriad of sizes and colors, making it very easy for anglers to mimic locally available bait. In addition, plugs have lips that determine the depth at which they dive. This allows anglers to cover the water column well when trolling with wobblers.

Anglers fishing Florida King Mackerel with plugs will experience a high catch rate. Most wobblers have a pair of treble hooks that should securely hook the king. Wobblers allow anglers to completely cover the water column. Several wobblers working at different depths can be used at the same time to determine where the fish are. As with all trolling, anglers can cover many bodies of water efficiently and quickly. Gold Bomber Long A Plugs and Yozuri Crystal Minnow Plugs in a flashy color work great.

9) Trophy kingfish love live bait

Live bait fish are excellent for fishing for king mackerel. Blue runner, sardines, herring, cigar minnow and mullet are the best live bait fish. These baitfish are difficult to keep alive. Therefore, most anglers catch their baitfish with either a casting net or a Sibiki rig on the morning of the fishing trip. Large recirculating live wells are standard on Kingfish boats.

The two basic methods of catching bait are cast nets and sabiki rigs. Anglers using a cast net can catch a lot of bait in a short amount of time. Special heavy nets sink quickly in deeper water. Anglers who prefer to feed live bait will need a large quantity of it. Baitfish can be scored behind the boat. They are also spotted on the surface with “dimpling”. Large scale sardines can be caught on the grassy plains and along the beaches.

Sibiki or Goldhaken rigs catch baits individually. Most rigs have half a dozen gold hooks or small flies attached to them. The rig is lowered through the baitfish or around the structure. Then it is gently jigged until the fish are hooked. Experienced anglers wait until several bait fish are hooked. Care must be taken to avoid tangling the rig. This method is great for anglers looking for several dozen lures to troll or free feed. It tends to catch larger baits as well. Some anglers also find that hook caught baits work better as they suffer less damage than baits caught in a cast net.

Anglers using live kingfish bait can choose to troll, drift, or anchor. All three techniques can be effective. Slow trolling with a large live bait on a stinger rig accounts for some of the largest kingfish caught by anglers. Drifting works well when the current and wind move the lure at the desired pace. Anchoring is usually done in shallower water when king mackerel are over a small piece of structure.

9) Trolling feathers and skirts produce fish

Skirts and feathers are lures used for trolling kingfish and other species. They troll just off the surface, creating a commotion that attracts game fish. They are mostly brightly colored. Often they are used in conjunction with some type of natural bait, particularly tape fish and ballyhoo. These baits are more commonly used in South Florida and the Keys.

10) King mackerel are seasonal fish

As previously mentioned, king mackerel are a migratory species. During the winter, they can be found in warmer climates like the Florida Keys and Mexico. As the water warms up, this triggers the migration of baitfish and mackerel. Spring and fall are the best times in Florida. However, fish can be caught year-round, particularly in the Florida Keys.

11) Local information is the best information

King mackerel are notorious for being here one day and gone the next. Successful anglers use a network system to keep up to date with current king mackerel hotspots. Local bait and tackle shops are great resources. You will generally be up to date on the most productive baits and locations. Online fishing forums and social media reports can also be excellent sources of quality information.

Luckily, king mackerel migrate parallel to the shorelines. Anglers who trailer their boats can follow the migrating fish north in the spring and south in the fall. In most cases, fish can be found within ten miles of shore.

12) Be careful with king mackerel

King mackerel have a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. Anglers must be very careful when handling them. Fish intended to be kept for consumption are usually gaped. Special cutting tools work very well with small king mackerel. They allow anglers to pop the fish without even touching it. Larger fish are generally grabbed by the tail and laid along the side of the boat while the hooks are removed. Some sort of hook release tool is a must to avoid serious injury.

13) Chumming is a very productive technique

Chumming is one of the most effective fishing techniques and saltwater fishing. It is the act of placing bait in the water in hopes of attracting fish. Anglers can chum from an anchored or drifting boat and use either live, freshly cut, or frozen chum. Chumming with live bait fish is incredibly effective but requires a lot of bait. King mackerel respond very well to live and frozen chum.

Most anglers opt for commercial bags of frozen chum. These are blocks of shredded fish and often come in their own mesh bag. This buddy bag is tied to the rear. When thawing, the chum is distributed in the water column. This initially attracts bait fish and then hopefully larger game fish as well.

Serious king mackerel anglers will also use live chums. This requires a lot of bait. Scale sardines, also known as anchovies, are a popular bait for this. They can be caught in large numbers on the flat plains and right off the beaches. Anchovies are also very hardy and stay alive throughout the day.

14) Fishing at King Mackerel Pier

There are times when king mackerel can be caught by anglers without a boat. Anglers who fish in saltwater from piers on the east coast, the Sunshine Skyway Pier in Tampa Bay and in the Panhandle near Destin will sometimes catch them off the piers. Anglers often use a rod with only one sinker and cast long distances. They then use an outrigger clip and slide live bait on another outfit down the line. When a king strikes, he pulls the line from the lead line. It’s a bit complicated but effective.

15) King mackerel is an excellent food

Kings have a bad reputation in some areas when it comes to table fare. However, when handled and prepared properly, they are fantastic to eat. King mackerel is oily and doesn’t freeze well. Their flesh can also be a bit soft. Therefore, it is best to immediately freeze any fish intended for the table with ice. They can be cut into steaks or fillets. King mackerel is fantastic baked, fried, grilled or smoked.

In summary, this article on king mackerel fishing in Florida will help anglers catch more of these great game fish!

Fishing in “royal green” water is a key to finding and catching 50- to 60-pound smokers – the big kingfish that win tournaments. Fishing in “royal green” water is a key to finding and catching 50- to 60-pound smokers – the big kingfish that win tournaments. Jason Arnold / jasonarnoldphoto.com

Sometimes just one fish can take you to the top of the world. Nowhere does this ring truer than on the Kingfish tournament circuit. In these competitions, each team may only weigh one king mackerel per competition day. And so it’s the spectacular 50- to 60-pounders known as smokers who deserve the impressive jackpots, garish trophies and unique fame that comes with winning a king mackerel fishing tournament.

But the road to stardom takes more than positive thinking and a pinch of luck. On this hard-fought trail that stretches from the Carolinas to the Florida Keys to the Texas coast, a hundredth of a pound can separate a championship team and the loser in first place (aka runner-up). Emotional engagement, intense preparation, financial resources, teamwork, quality equipment and strong boat handling skills – as well as a few secret weapons – are hallmarks of the most competitive teams.

But figuring out how to catch king mackerel can be tricky. To isolate the key factors in catching those wily, sharp-toothed speedsters, we interviewed some of the leading tournament anglers on mackerel fishing. While opinions on many subjects varied as much as chili recipes at a county fair, we were able to distil these 12 steps to fame.

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1. The right boat

You can catch kingfish from almost any boat, but the most consistent winners come with 23- to 45-foot center console kingfish fishing machines from manufacturers like Contender, Everglades, Invincible, Intrepid, Jupiter, Regulator, SeaVee, and Yellowfin.

Serious competitors need speed, so most of these boats are fitted with twin or triple outboards – some even have quads. “You want to fish first,” explains Scott Smith, a North Carolina-based captain on the Instigator, a 31-foot yellowfin with twin Mercury Verado 300 outboards. “It’s not uncommon for the first boat to catch the biggest fish in a spot,” he reveals.

Performance is one thing, but you also need a hull designed to operate in rough conditions as the seas aren’t always cooperative on tournament day. “That’s why we fish a boat like the Contender 32ST,” says Jack Bracewell Jr., whose South Carolina team fishes 15 kingfish tournaments a year aboard Eren’s Addiction Too, powered by two Mercury Verado 300 outboards. “A boat like this can take a lot of abuse and still get us to the fish and home,” he says.

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2. Set up your boat for success

Proper boat assembly is a high priority among serious kingfish anglers. The rigging must support a variety of techniques including downrigger trolling, kite fishing, slow trolling, drifting or even anchoring, any of which may be required depending on the time of year or coastal area.

Catching live bait can also play a crucial role, so the boat’s deck must be hook-free for net casting. The voluminous livewell capacity helps ensure the boat has enough healthy live bait to fish all day.

Finding king mackerel requires an arsenal of marine electronics to locate key structure points like wrecks and reef edges, as well as bait schools. According to leading kingfish anglers, a top quality GPS/chartplotter and fish finder are vital in this pursuit.

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In addition, the most successful teams have their boats fully stocked with all the kingfish lures, kingfish rigs, hooklink material and terminal tackle (like live bait hooks) they could possibly need. This allows them to quickly adapt to any feeding pattern they might find in the fishing grounds.

Top competitors at the Kingfish circuit use fast 23- to 45-foot boats. Speed ​​gets them to the bottom quickly, letting them fish for as long as possible before racing back to weigh in. Sam Root / saltyshores.com

3. Do your homework

Research is the most critical element of king mackerel fishing. “About five days before the tournament, I search the internet for fishing reports in the area,” says Smith. “Also, I keep an eye on sea surface temperature and chlorophyll patterns on sites like sst-offshore.com.” The idea is to find temperature differences and the right color of water (known as “royal green”) that could contain bait schools. Find the bait and you will often find the kings.

Talking to local anglers is also an important part of the homework, but Smith says you can’t always take them at their word. “The only way to confirm things is to pre-fish,” advises Smith. “Take the information you have and fish the spots to make sure what other anglers are telling you is true.”

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4. Kingfish Bait and Bait

Silvery live baits such as sardines, threadfin herring, menhaden, mullet and blue runner are preferable to dead baits, so virtually all top competitive anglers do. However, live bait is not always easy to come by, so the same anglers also bring in frozen baits such as cigar minnow, ribbon fish and Spanish mackerel.

While opinions differ on the best kingfish bait, there is consensus on the size of the bait for trophy kings. “The bigger kings seem to prefer the bigger lures,” says Dean Panos, who runs the Double D, a 34-foot SeaVee Open on the tournament course. Panos is also a charter captain based in Miami.

Smith agrees. “Big bait equals big fish,” he says. Smith also has a trick for making natural baits appear even bigger: he adds some “lightning” to an otherwise conventional wireline twin treble bait rig. The Captain uses a blue Private Stock Skirt from Blue Water Candy Lures in front of a live bait (pictured below). Not only does the reflective material enhance the size of the lure, but the shimmer – combined with the lure’s frantic vibrations – helps to attract the attention of a king at a distance.

Dead bait doesn’t float, so trophy hunters often combine a floating bait with a dead bait. One of the best kingfish lures (or bait rig setups) is South Chathum Tackle’s Pirate Plug. The bait is placed in front of the nose hook bait to provide a seductive swimming action when trolling slowly. Smith has won two tournaments with this Kingfish rig (pictured below).

Rigs used by Scott Smith, a North Carolina-based captain of Instigator, a 31-foot Yellowfin. David Shepherd

5. Fish a spread

Fishing as many lures as possible multiplies the opportunities for hookups – and the more fish you hook, the better your chances of hooking a trophy.

“I try to fish as many lures as possible,” says Smith. “We fish up to six lines at a time, including two from the T-top 150ft back, two more from the stern 100ft back and two on downriggers.”

I try to fish as many baits as possible. We fish up to six lines at a time including two from the T-Top 150ft back, two more from the stern 100ft back and two on downriggers. — Scott Smith, Instigator

Another way to extend the spread is to fly a kite – a technique used by many successful tournament anglers. Kites allow you to present bait a good distance from the boat and this can help you tempt line-shy kings to bite.

“My favorite way to fish is with a combination of three kites on one side of the boat and flat lines on the other,” says Victor Jensen, whose South Florida team fishes the Reel Tension, a 29-foot SeaVee powered by Twin Mercury becomes Verado 300s. “Our kite lures are single hooked as I don’t think the lure will work naturally with more than one hook when fished on the kite.”

You can’t set and forget when you’re fishing a spread. All top anglers check their lures regularly as kings are known for nibbling on lures without getting hooked. Checking the lures often helps ensure they are free of cut marks and float well.

6. Trolling for king mackerel

There is a lot to consider when trolling for king mackerel. Trolling too fast is one of the biggest mistakes anglers make when targeting trophy kings, according to top competitive anglers. “Dead idle is all you need when trolling live bait,” says Smith, “and sometimes that’s too fast.” On those occasions, Smith shuts down one of his two outboards and slowly propels the boat with just one engine .

For some tournament anglers, any trolling speed when lure fishing is too fast. “I like floating around on monster king oil rigs with live bait like Blue Runners, Croakers or Menhaden,” says Doug Stanford, who operates Charters of the Bay aboard his Everglades 243 from Port Aransas, Texas. When there is no live bait, he drives dead 20- to 24-inch band fish with a pink hoochie skirt in front and a quarter-ounce egg sinker in the hoochie’s head.

Top tournament anglers, like members of Team Intense, dedicate a tremendous amount of time and resources to a single goal: catching trophy kingfish. Courtesy of the Southern Kingfish Association

7. Run soft, run deep

Downriggers are proving indispensable when hunting down trophy kings, but these devices also require special rigging and a fish finder to maximize results, according to leading competitors.

One of the rigging secrets is replacing the downrigger’s wire rope with 200-pound monofilament line, a leading team captain revealed. “Using heavy mono eliminates the hum in the water that wire cable creates,” says Jensen, who believes the hiss of taut wire cable deters big kings.

Jensen also fishes two lures per downrigger by cutting one line at the weight and another line from a second rod halfway down the line with a longline clip. He usually starts by hauling one downrigger weight 60 feet down and the other weight 40 feet down until he finds a feeding pattern.

By keeping a close eye on the fish finder you can locate schools of bait which will then guide placement of downrigger depths. Most of the tournament participants we interviewed try to drag the lures through or slightly over the lure schools.

8. Leave fish to find fish

This advice goes against the grain for many anglers, but makes sense when it comes to trophy kings. “If you’re catching 15-pound kings, you probably won’t be catching anything bigger in that range,” says Jensen. “Great kings are not related to small ones.”

Jensen suggests not only changing location, but also moving to a different water depth. “Sometimes a shallower or deeper move is the key to finding bigger fish,” he says.

Jumping Kingfish Pat Ford

9. Light guide

Top tournament anglers use the lightest bronze wire possible, most rigs with nothing heavier than 60 pound Test seven strand wire or 44 pound Test single strand “piano” wire. Wire leaders range in length from two to five feet, and most anglers associate this with a black barrel swivel with a 20- to 30-foot surplus of 30- to 50-pound test fluorocarbon. The main line is usually 20 to 30 pound monofilament.

10. Good buddy

Sometimes you need to get the big kings in the mood to bite, and the secret here is chum, according to a number of tournament officials. Many kingfish specialists add their own secret ingredients to a stash of ground chum.

“We add pieces of sardines and bonito,” reveals Panos. “We also add glitter and menhaden oil.”

The proliferation of buddy is also critical. “We scoop out one scoop at a time,” reveals Panos, “wait until they disappear from view before we pour out the next scoop. It’s important to keep this going even if you have a hooked fish as it keeps other kings in the area.”

Jumping kingfish Pat Ford

11. Drag Settings

Every top kingfish competitor emphasizes the importance of light resistance settings for landing smokers. Most anglers use two to three pounds of brake pressure, which is confirmed with a scale before fishing.

“Once a king is hooked, they make a remarkably fast first run,” explains Panos. “A tight pull will either break the line or pull the hook.”

Tournament anglers use a variety of reel brands and models, from the Accurate Boss Extreme BX-600 to the Penn Torque TRQ30. The common denominators here are super light drag systems, fast retrieval and lots of line capacity.

To keep as much line on the reel as possible, most tournament anglers will be aggressive with boat handling and chasing down a big king, placing the angler on the bow while the captain steers toward the hooked fish.

Bars are typically custom 7-foot sticks rated for a 15- to 30-pound test line. Lightweight tips prevent hooks from coming loose when hooking a large king. Many top competitors advise keeping the rod tip high to prevent the line from being tail whipped by the big king.

Once the fight goes up and down, it’s important to maintain a constant but light pressure while gently pumping the king to the surface. “It’s a customs game at this point,” says Smith. “Many tournament winners have taken the hooks at this point.”

If you’re catching 15-pound kings, you probably won’t catch anything bigger in this range; Great kings are not related to little ones. — Victor Jensen, Roll Tension

12. Major Gaff

Most tournament anglers use a 12 foot fishhook with a dark non-shiny handle and a 3 inch hook that is kept extremely sharp. In a typical scenario, the designated gaffer stands in the bow next to the angler while the boat tracks the fish. The exceptional length of the gaff handle allows you to reach out and gape at the king when he suddenly appears during the hunt. The dark, non-glare surface of the handle prevents the fish from being startled.

“Keep the gaff out of the water until it’s time to gawk the fish,” says Smith. “That will prevent the line in the gaff from getting dirty. When it’s time, reach out and come over the king’s back to gawk at him,” he advises.

No one said catching a trophy kingfish was easy, but these 12 steps will help you chart a course to glory.

Pro tip: don’t waste your time

When king mackerel bites offshore, many top anglers forego the traditional cast net technique as shore bait. Instead, they try to find bait closer to the kings.

“Walk offshore to where you want to fish, but make sure you pack some frozen baits like cigar minnow, Boston mackerel or Spanish mackerel,” advises top tournament angler Scott Smith, grandson of kingfish tournament pioneer Arthur Smith. “Start by fishing dead bait, but keep an eye out for schools of bait and then use a sabiki rig to fish the live stuff once you find them.”