Species guide · Mississippi

Spanish mackerel fishing in Mississippi

Scomberomorus maculatus, a nearshore species also called spanish, spanish mack and spaniard. Listed for the Eastern Gulf region. Shoulder season, about 1 more week.

Right now it scores best in Mississippi Sound at 53.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All Mississippi waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Eastern Gulf

Shoulder season, about 1 more week

Jan: Off season
Feb: Off season
Mar: Shoulder season
Apr: Peak season
May: Peak season
Jun: Shoulder season
Jul: Shoulder season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Peak season
Nov: Peak season
Dec: Off season

Peak: Apr to May, Oct to Nov. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to Nov.

Research notes, Eastern Gulf region

Spring and fall runs peak along the Florida Gulf coast as fish pass through; Panhandle and Alabama waters hold them through summer. FWC notes they return south when water drops below about 70F.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 1

Mississippi bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's spanish mackerel score this hour.

53Good

Mississippi Sound

Best window today 6-9 PM (66) · Best day Wed, Sep 30 at 8 AM (71) · 81 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 68°F to 90°F, best between 72°F and 84°F.
Water depth: 5 to 50 ft of water.
Structure: Inlet, rip, pass, jetty, pier, beach and shoal, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers incoming tide and outgoing tide, with moderate current.Spanish feed where current pushes bait against structure or along tide rips at inlets and passes. Clean incoming water at an inlet is often best. Slack water scatters the schools.
Light: Bites best around dawn and dusk.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 18 kt of wind and 4 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Spanish mackerel school along beaches and around inlets, jetties, piers and bridge-tunnel structures, and along tide rips in 5 to 40 feet of water once the water climbs above about 68 degrees F. Troll small spoons or cast metal jigs and retrieve fast, or look for birds diving on bait and cast into the school. FWC calls for a 30 to 60 pound monofilament leader because their teeth cut light line.

Methods: trolling, casting to surface schools, pier fishing, live bait
Lures: small trolling spoon (Clark or Drone), Gotcha plug, metal jig, small bucktail or duster, planer and spoon
Bait: live glass minnows, pilchard, finger mullet, shrimp

Regulations

MDMR saltwater regulations Buy a Mississippi fishing license License types

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Synced with MDMR Sep 18, 2026.

No reviewed spanish mackerel rule for Mississippi is on file yet. Check with MDMR before you keep one.