Front Lines

Spanish Mackerel Entice Marlin & More

ANGLERS HEADING OFFSHORE FROM PORTS along Florida’s East Coast rarely if ever solely target marlin. However, in the nearby Bahamas and across the Gulf of Mexico it is a different story, where seasoned crews chase blue marlin with great success. And while most efforts involve trolling large lures, horse ballyhoo or bridled bonito, Spanish mackerel have a flashy profile big billfish can’t resist.

Truth be told, it’s not an everyday occurrence Floridians are afforded the opportunity to tangle with a blue marlin. However, the fact of the matter is that there are indeed large billfish roaming the waters surrounding our great state. With juvenile dolphin and tuna invading area waters during the coming months, there’s plenty of forage for big game and there’s no better time to hook a marlin when searching for more controllable targets.

Many broadbill swordfish have also fallen to the deadly tail beat of an expertly rigged swimming mackerel, with feisty kings also gorging on these streamlined forage species. Truth is, Spanish mackerel just might be the perfect blue water forage.