Big Spanish mackerel in Sarasota

The best bite this week for my clients was nice-sized Spanish mackerel. They were landed on the deep grass flats, in the passes, and out on the beach over the inshore reefs and around bait schools. Most of them were caught on bait fish while chumming, but blind casting Rapala X-Raps and jigs caught some fish as well. A Spanish mackerel pushing 5 pounds is a beautiful fish that puts up a terrific battle. Along with the mackerel, anglers fishing the flats caught trout, bluefish, jacks, snapper, and ladyfish. {%image_id=68710%}