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After a long winter awaiting the return of the migratory summer species, March has come and rumors drift in-"the spanish are hitting in the bay!!".   The air is still chilly in the morning, water temperatures have creeped into the high 60's (F) range and the first harbingers of the migratory fishes have arrived for their inshore spawning run, feasting on the bristling schools of menhaden (also coming inshore after plankton)--Spanish Mackeral.  While the smaller spanish mackerel head into the upper reaches of the bay, the larger spanish (16"+) only come into the passes and only on the incoming tide. However, when they come in, they are mean!  Due to a quirk of geography and traffic, the Destin Harbor sits very near the Gulf of Mexico, and has a choke point where it enters the pass. This choke point witnesses a very high volume of boat traffic, and unfortunately for those menhaden discussed earlier, the boat props of all those boat mulch and maim the closely packed schools of bait.  Meanwhile, lurking under the menhaden mulch, those large Spanish wait for those injured menhaden for a quick meal.  The result if this carnage is drifting slick of blood punctuated by boils of toothy mackerel, right in the midst of the harbor entrance.  For an enterprising angler, any place that allows a cast between the boats into the harbor entrance is the place to be.  Armed with several floating plugs or crankbaits in the 4" to 6" range, 50# mono leaders, and a 8lb class spinning reel, an angler can experience a few hours of unmitigated violence, and return home with a few very tasty Spanish Mackerel.  As the plugs are tossed into the fray (look for brown froth, birds, and boiling fish), the need to be twitch violently to simulate an injured minnow.  As you jerk the plug near the surface, be prepared for the water to explode under it, and wait to feel the line tighten before setting the hook.  Setting the hook by sight will only set you up for disappointment.  Make sure you drag is set fairly light, as these mackerel will make one or two blistering runs before coming in.  Use a pliers to remove the hooks and exercise great caution, as every mackerel will bite and shake, and a treble hook is a bear to remove (I know this from experience!). While the tide comes in the action will be feast and famine-  15 minutes of action, 30 minutes of boredom, and another 15 minutes of action, as the schools of bait move in and out of the harbor entrance.  Pack lots of plugs, as they will be toothed and broken before the peak action is over, and many will loose their plastic lips.   This first action of the spring is unforgettable, and will definitely get you ready for the summer to come!

• Tackle: A good 8lb-15lb  class spinning reel with an 8ft tough rod is optimal, though any 'bigmouth-bass-class' baitcasting combo will also work.
• Lures: Floater/Diver or Floating plugs and crankbaits in white, white/red, pink, silver, and chartreuse colors and 4" to 8" long.   The Rebel Redfin, Mirrorlures, Thunderstick, Rapala, and Rebel Salmon Series (see picture below) will work.

• Rigging: In order to prevent the toothy mackerel from stealing your $5.00 plug, but to avoid altering the action and silhouette of the lure, place a length of 30#-50# monofilament line to the lure. Tie the leader to your main line either with a blood knot or loop and clinch knot WITH OUT A SWIVEL! Any item that even looks remotely edible (like a swivel slashing through the water)  will be annihilated by Spanish that will follow any hooked Spanish to the boat or shoreline.

• Shoreline:  Since the productive water is within casting distance from the shoreline (Park at the end of Holiday Isle in the public lot, wade to the drop off near the entrance of the harbor), boat rental is not necessary, and since bait is useless for this scenario, no bait costs are involved!  If you are a Florida resident (or Qualify, see the regs) no license is required to fish from the shoreline so this is a cheap one.  One the other hand, if you are a non-resident a $14.00 license will cover you for a week (1998).
• Boat:  A small rental boat will suffice for those inclined, and can be rented from several places in Destin for $80.00 for a half-day.  Remember to bring an anchor rope (anchor in the shallow water outside of the boat channel in the harbor entrance).  A license is required for both residents and non-residents ($18.00/yr resident or $14.00/wk non-resident).

• Late March to Early May
• Look for the incoming tide on the tide charts and a relatively warm day (go two hours before published high tide).

WHERE?
The Destin Harbor in Destin Florida. (Emerald Coast Region)

 
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