Best Bet: SOUTHEAST

When the bite is hot it might seem like shooting fish in a barrel, but few anglers will argue that Spanish mackerel fishing right now is anything less than outstanding. While the epicenter (and most of the boats) will be found just south of St. Lucie Inlet at Peck Lake, the fact is, decent fish will be scattered up and down our coastline.

One great way to find Spanish macks is to troll small, single-hook spoons behind tiny planers or better yet, on a downrigger. The lure doesn’t have to get very far down, just below the propwash a bit. Don’t venture too deep. Most fish will be found in less than 15 feet of water.

On the weekends or even during the week if the weather is especially good, the best way to deal with the crowd is to anchor and chum sparingly, but nonstop with glass minnows or silversides. The latter is a freshwater variety that suffices nicely when the glassies aren’t available.

Don’t forget to pack a few bucktails either. They’re easier to throw than a spoon; the key is to work the lure fast. Slow retrieves don’t catch mackerel.

And while your first inclination might be to use a light wire leader, there are times when macks turn finicky. On those days, opt for 80-pound-mono leaders. You’ll lose a few fish, but the extra strikes more than make up for the ones that part your line.

Now chill.

FS