mackeral

[LandingCrew]

okay im new to this southern fish thing,(only caught bass, blues and fluke) of the east coast inshore variety, do spanish mackeral taste good, or are they like false albacore, or other mackeral, also i cant get a straight answer about the worm thing with black drum any info on drum when they leave and stuff would like to know.

thanks

mark

[Chagen]

Spanish are one of my favorites...not too oily, kind of remind me of mahi...

[Phishphinder]

A little House of Autries, 1/4 inch oil in a pan, 5 to 10 min per side...... sweet

[Al B]

Okay, regarding the parasitic worms in large Black Drum:

Yes, they're there... worse in some fish than others. Can you still eat one that has worms? Yes, just cut them out. Are the worms harmful? No, under the assmumption you cook'em versus Ketchup's sushi recipe. Usually, a fish under 40" will not have worms.

[lmontagnaj]

okay im new to this southern fish thing,(only caught bass, blues and fluke) of the east coast inshore variety, do spanish mackeral taste good, or are they like false albacore, or other mackeral, also i cant get a straight answer about the worm thing with black drum any info on drum when they leave and stuff would like to know.

thanks

mark

Spanish Mackeral taste real good to a BLUE MARLIN!!! I've eaten them and they're ok, but I prefer to rigem up, vac pack, freeze, then take them to the blue for a little in the mouth Tail Walking Ride.

Catchem Up!!!

[xxmikexx]

Spanish mackrel are very tasty but imo they don't freeze well. If they are fresh (within 2 days) they are hard to beat. They can be prepared in a varity of ways. The flesh is delicate and will not grill well unless you leave the skin on the filet. As mentioned House of Autries is good on any fish if you like em spicy.
The best way to catch Spanish earily in the season is trolling spoons behind a #1, #2 or #3 plainer (I use old salt plainers). Use a 25' leader of 30#test or so (you can go with lighter leader but it will get nicked and weaken, and lighter leader will cut your hands when you handling bigger fish) use a spro about 1/2 way down the leader or your leader will twist so bad it will be useless in an hour or so. Later in the season (Sept Oct) you can find sardines at the CB light tower, net some of them and use a live bait hook and hang on. Live baiting the tower will get you King, Spanish, Fat Alberts, Bluefinhs and maybe an Amber Jack.
You can find them everywhere. Some favorite spots are tide rips around the CBBT islands, Cape Henry rips, Fort Wool, and off the beach right outside LC inlet. On calm days you can see them jumping out of the water- I think they do it for fun- and then you know where some are. Spanish are fun to catch and you'll get blues too, if your going flounder fishing later that day keep some blues for strip baits.