Damn Good Spanish Mackerel Fishing Charters

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4.9 / 5 Average Rating

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we've handpicked every single one. We're passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

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Spanish Mackerel Fishing Charters

Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Wanchese

Reel Fun On The OBX - 3 Hr

100% (3)
24 ft 1 - 6 People From $400
Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Orange Beach

Reel, Relax, And Repeat

100% (13)
46 ft 1 - 6 People From $750
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Jetty in Niceville

Fishing Trips With Captain Kent

100% (53)
29 ft 1 - 6 People From $850
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in Beaufort

Half Day Nearshore Fishing (4hrs)

100% (1)
35 ft 1 - 6 People From $350
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Destin

Fast Paced Destin Offshore

100% (4)
48 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,750
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Jetty in Biloxi

Biloxi Inshore Trip

100% (6)
22 ft 1 - 4 People From $500

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Everything to Know About Booking a spanish mackerel fishing charter

What are the best spanish mackerel fishing charters?

The best spanish mackerel fishing charters are:

Why should I book a spanish mackerel fishing charter with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 79 spanish mackerel trips, and the most popular trips are Bad To The Bone Destin Trip guided by Tyler, Half Day Bay Trip guided by Preston, and Offshore / State Water Fishing guided by Chris.

Our guides are rated a 4.95 out of 5 based on 9170 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly spanish mackerel guides / fishing lessons? Check out our beginner and family friendly spanish mackerel guides.

What types of spanish mackerel fishing charters are common?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing for spanish mackerel as well as nearshore fishing, inshore fishing, and flats fishing.

The most common fishing techniques are bottom fishing, light tackle fishing, and trolling but live bait fishing and artificial lure fishing are popular as well.

How much do spanish mackerel fishing charters cost?

Prices for spanish mackerel can range anywhere from about $600 to $6,500, but the average price for a half day trip for spanish mackerel is $1,139. The average price for a full day trip for spanish mackerel is $4,367.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for spanish mackerel fishing?

The most popular season for spanish mackerel fishing is summer, and most anglers book their trips 30 days in advance.

Do I need a fishing license for spanish mackerel and what are the bag limits for spanish mackerel?

See here for more information on spanish mackerel fishing licenses, spanish mackerel bag limits, and fishing season regulations for spanish mackerel. When in doubt, your guide will always know all the relevant spanish mackerel rules and regulations.

What is a Spanish Mackerel?

Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) are saltwater fish, found in the Atlantic ocean. They have a green back, silver sides with three rows of yellow spots on both sides and sharp jaws. These spots help to separate them from the cero and king mackerel, who otherwise look very similar.

They are strong swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 18 feet per second, for stretches of up to 20 miles. Built for speed with their bullet-shaped bodies, be ready for an energetic fight once you have one hooked. Thanks to conservation efforts after overfishing in the 1980s, starting the fight will be a much easier feat now that the species has been brought back from the brink!

How big do Spanish Mackerel get?

Not typically regarded as a bragging rights fish, spanish mackerel are typically between two and six pounds. Those that grow larger than ten pounds are considered large. They are usually at their full size at five years for males, and six years for females.

What's the biggest Spanish Mackerel ever caught?

On November 4th, 1987, Robert Cranton caught the International Game Fish Association world record for spanish mackerel. Weighing in at a solid 13 pounds, this beast was caught out of Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, and has yet to be officially beat.

Where is the best place to catch Spanish Mackerel?

Spanish mackerel are a shallow water species, staying in depths of 10 to 40 feet, however can occasionally be found as deep as 80 feet. They can be found as far south as the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, and as far north as Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Some of the most highly regarded areas to fish for spanish mackerel are Miami and the Keys in Florida, and also the northern Texas coast.

When should I catch Spanish Mackerel?

Spanish mackerel are migratory fish who follow rising water temperatures. Due to this, it is important to follow their pattern and target them according to where they are along their route during season changes.

The Gulf of Mexico tends to be the best from May to September, whereas in the Atlantic, you can find them travelling north up the United States coast line in the spring summer, and then head down south towards Cancun for the fall and winter.

How do you catch Spanish Mackerel?

There are several spots to look for spanish mackerel depending on how deep of water you are targeting them in. For offshore and nearshore, look for structures that they may school around, while inshore check the surfs, flats, piers, and jetties.

They tend to feed in large schools near the surface, so another convenient way to find them is by watching for water commotion as well as bird activity.

Spanish mackerel can be caught with many different lures and baits. Nylon jigs, feather lures and spoons work great for artificial, while minnows and live shrimp work great for natural bait. They can be used while trolling or drift fishing, or just casting off the pier.

Are Spanish Mackerel good to eat? What are the best Spanish Mackerel recipes?

Spanish mackerel are a very popular white fish, and is best eaten fresh. There are many ways to prepare mackerel, whether you broil, fry, bake, or even smoke them. However, the most popular way to enjoy spanish mackerel is in sushi! At many sushi restaurants, you will find it under the name sawara.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Great fishing experience!

    Mason L. | August 27, 2026

    Trip: Reel Fun On The OBX - 3 Hr

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Charlie is a great guide and very knowledgeable! He put us on the fish!

    Shuntel S. | August 23, 2026

    Trip: JACKSONVILLE OFFSHORE FISHING

  • ★★★★★
    Sam and his crew were amazing! Even though the fish were not biting too much. The trip was still a good time and still got to get into some battles with the fish. The crew was very helpful, attentive, and friendly. Would definitely take this charter again!

    Clay D. | August 18, 2026

    Trip: Reel, Relax, And Repeat

  • ★★★★★
    We had an absolutely amazing day on the water! Captain Charlie was the best—he put us on some really big fish and made the whole experience one we’ll never forget. made lots of wonderful memories, and truly enjoyed every minute of the day. His Southern hospitality, manners, and professionalism were spot on. You can tell he genuinely cares about his customers having a great time. If you’re looking for an incredible fishing experience with a great captain, I highly recommend him. We’ll definitely be back!

    Ingra R. | August 17, 2026

    Trip: JACKSONVILLE OFFSHORE FISHING

  • ★★★★★
    Was a trip for kids and granddaughter and they loved it. My granddaughter had a great time and caught her first fish.

    Todd H. | August 15, 2026

    Trip: Reel Fun On The OBX - 3 Hr

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