What Lures Are Good for Mackerel Fishing?

Out of all of the fish in the ocean, I would have to say that the mackerel species of fish is one of my top picks. They are interesting looking fish, almost even prehistoric looking. They are built for speed and quickness.

Both Spanish and King Mackerel have some really sharp teeth. These razor sharp “chompers” are so sharp that they often cut right through fishing line and soft plastic baits. All of these characteristics add to this game fishes popularity.

One of the coolest aspects of mackerel fishing is that they are easy to catch. Not only are they easy to locate, but they are also simple to catch. When an angler actually finds them, then there is a good chance that that fisherman catches a ton of fish. When a school of mackerel swarms a ball of bait fish, things can get really exciting. If you have never seen this awesome sight, then you need to get out on the water and experience it.

When the bait fish are jumping out of the water, just about any lure or bait will work. It’s so easy that as soon as that lure hits the water, a mackerel is usually there to attack it. As simple as it seems, this feeding frenzy is constantly on the move.

Now that we have covered the basics of mackerel fishing, it’s time to discuss mackerel lures. There are three really productive lures for mackerel out there. Just kidding, there are many others as well, but we will talk about these for now.

Lure #1 Gotcha

The first is the Gotcha. This lure is among one of the best for catching mackerel. These mackerel lures consist of a solid body with a colored head and a pair of treble hooks. Actually, this lure has some of the sharpest hooks that I know of. This mackerel fishing lure is built for speed, but don’t worry, mackerel are fast as well.

When fishing with this bait, the faster you pump the rod, the better. This bait dives up and down in the water as the angler jigs the rod. The lure is solid and somewhat heavy, so its diving action is swift. There are a couple of sizes and colors to choose from.

One form of gotcha is short and the other is longer. I prefer the medium sized lure with a silver body and orange colored head. Fluorocarbon liters work best when fishing with these lures.

Lure #2 Spoons

Spoons are another great mackerel lure. They emit a great deal of reflection as they cut through the water. This shining action imitates many of the mackerel’s prey and is great for catching Spanish mackerel. Silver stinger spoons and little cleos work great in the silver pattern.

Remember to use a liter as well because of the sharp teeth. Fluorocarbon works the best from my experiences because it is harder for the fish to notice.

Lure #3 Soft Plastic Lures

Soft plastic lures are also great for catching king mackerel. White soft plastic baits have worked the best for me so far. However, the mackerel often tear these up within a short period of time.

Out of all of the mackerel lures discussed here, I would have to say that the gotcha is my favorite and has worked the best.