Thread: Spanish in surf?

Anyone have any luck with Spanish in the surf yet this year?

Originally Posted by Mattb

Anyone have any luck with Spanish in the surf yet this year?

I fish the shallows regularly from the pier and I've observed only one day when Spanish were being caught regularly in the surf. I reported, the other day, a single large Spanish caught in the surf. In other areas, from Facebook accounts of surf fishing adventures, it's been similarly hit-or-miss, mostly miss. Few people are targeting them in the surf and recently, you're more likely to catch bluefish or ladyfish on Spanish Mackerel lures.

I figured it may be a bit early, thanks for the report!

I totally agree with Tom's observations.
The vast majority of times, spanish mackerel are simply a 'by catch' in the surfzone.
Very difficult to target them inside the longshore sandbar unless it's one of 'those days' when some may follow anchovie schools along the beach.

I'll be down next Saturday, so may be I'll get lucky one day. If not, I'll be back in July and I know I'll get into them then.

Are the blues this time of year nice size (2-3lb+)or the smaller ones?

Originally Posted by Mattb

I'll be down next Saturday, so may be I'll get lucky one day. If not, I'll be back in July and I know I'll get into them then.

Are the blues this time of year nice size (2-3lb+)or the smaller ones?

There's the 3/4 to 1.5 ( I know - I'm mixing fractions and decimals, but you get the idea) pound blues, then there's the 1.5 - 2 pounders and also the 2 - 3 pounders, generally speaking. Most of the ones I've seen caught are in the middle category. Good keepers if you're into keeping bluefish (which I do, on occasion). There's definitely some 3 pounders out there.

Perfect thank you. I don't like blues that much, but if I can't target Spanish I'll probably put a couple blues in the cooler for some tacos.

Yes, those 'midsize' bluefish (14"-16" FL) have been very present at the GSPPier this week ;-)