This week we have been finding the mackerel on the beaches feeding on the trollers on the way out to fish nearshore. Seems like around the morning time the mackerel are right on the beaches then as the day progresses they move further from shore and we run into them around 6-10 miles off the beaches. We find they are liking the number one or two planners with a squid spoon or king spoon around 12-18ft behind the planner with around 40-60lb test between the planner and spoon. These mackerel have been a little sparse but they will be becoming more and more prolific as the cooler time of year approaches.
The hogfish are still just starting to roll, we are catching quite a decent number but most have been under sized. However, we have been lucky on some of our private fishing charters, 5 hour half days and 10 hour all days to catch some nice keeper hogfish and as the water continues to cool the bite will only get better and better and the big boys will be more willing to cooperate. Keep in mind, hogfish are social species typically when you find one there will be 5-7 more around so even if you catch a small one you typically can get some others that may even be larger! Light tackle, live shrimp and lots of patience is key when hogfish hunting. They are the very last fish to feed on a spot as the more aggressive fish will be the ones feeding to start but once things slow down that’s when you start hog hunting instead of moving the next spot.
Lane snapper have been biting well for us too around that deeper near shore water around 70-100 foot of water and they love some small cubes of cut squid wing or live shrimp on 30-40lb leader and 4ot hooks. These aren’t the biggest snapper but we have been seeing some large lane snapper in the 2-3lb range. They have to be 10 inches to keep but we have been finding some up to 18 inches fairly consistently on our private fishing charters and 10 hour all days that are fishing that deeper near shore water.
Mangrove snapper bite has been okay near shore they are mixed in with the lane snapper and hogfish but feed best in the deepest near shore waters around the lane snapper. I like to use the threadfin plugs with the double snell rig for the best chances at catching some consistent near shore mangrove snapper. Natural presentation, holding bottom and quick hook sets are all super important when it comes to mangrove snapper fishing.
Red grouper bite near shore has been a little better for us lately especially right around 90-110 foot of water on the squid strips, live pinfish, or squirrelfish for bait with 60lb test and a 6ot hook. However, it’s still not as good as it should be this time of year only a handful being caught on those longer near shore private charters or the 10 hour all day boats.
