Bite Atlas

When the tide pushes in and you see bait flipping on the surface, throw a 1 oz silver spoon or Got-Cha plug on a 7.5 ft medium rod with 12 lb braid. Fast retrieve, no pause. The bite is violent and short — be ready with a second cast.

When you see bait spraying on the surface at the inlet mouth, throw a 1 oz Gotcha plug or silver spoon on 12–15 lb braid. Burn the retrieve. Mackerel won't hit a slow-moving bait. Wire leader optional — they'll cut 20 lb fluoro occasionally.

1 oz Gotcha plug or silver casting spoon on 12 lb braid. Maximum speed retrieve — mackerel hit moving targets. No wire leader needed but add 12 inches of 30 lb fluoro to prevent cutoffs from teeth. Work the inlet mouth on incoming tide.

1 oz silver spoon or Gotcha plug on 12–15 lb braid. Fast retrieve parallel to the pier. Mackerel run in schools — when one hits, cast back to the same spot immediately. Add 12 inches of 30 lb fluoro to prevent cutoffs. The bite happens in 10-minute windows, then they move on.

Throw a 3/4-1 oz silver spoon or Got-Cha plug parallel to the bait lane and retrieve fast. If you think you are burning it too quickly, speed up. Mackerel feed in short windows, so cast back immediately after a strike or follow.

1/2 oz Clark spoon or Gotcha plug on 20 lb mono leader. Cast parallel to the beach and retrieve fast. Mackerel attack the lure on the first 10 feet of retrieve. March-May and October-November are peak months.