Capt. Jim Guest with an impressive haul of huge black drum reeled in by himself, Johnathan Taylor (his first fish), Levi Martin, Claudia Guest and Jim Guest Jr. aboard the Guestamator.

Great fishing abounds in Northeast Florida in the spring time. One of the most popular species to target is the Spanish mackerel, which school in our inlets, sounds and along our beaches. The size of your boat doesn't matter; you can have fun fishing for these toothy critters from the boat or bank.

You can enjoy fishing for Spanish or blues either by sight casting or trolling. When sight casting for Spanish, I like to rig with a No. 7 black barrel swivel tied to approximately 24 inches of 30-pound test fluorocarbon leader tied to a Krocodile spoon. Some anglers prefer to use flexible 20-pound test vinyl-coated wire for leader to prevent cutoffs.

When I see the Spanish striking in the bait pods of glass minnows or birds diving, I like to sight cast into the bait pods. I usually let the spoon sink for a few seconds, and then I begin my retrieve of the spoon quickly.

Another highly effective method in catching Spanish mackerel is trolling. I use a No. 1 planer trolled behind the boat. This is probably the most effective method to catch Spanish mackerel and blues this time of year. I tie a No. 7 snap swivel tied to approximately 10 feet of 30-pound test monofilament tied to a No. 5 black barrel swivel tied to another 10 feet of 30-pound test. Then I attach a No. 00 or No. 0 Clark Spoon in silver or gold. These rigs can be purchased rigged and ready to fish in moments. I like to place my planers approximately 30 feet behind the boat. The closer to the stern of the boat you troll your planer, the shallower it will troll, the further back you place your planer, the deeper the planer will troll.

Your boat speed should be slow enough to take the planer down with your speed approximately 3 to 4 miles per hour. When trolling I would have a Rapala Magnum plug trolled on a 30-pound class rod way out behind the boat past the planer rods in the possibility of picking up the strike of a cobia. " 'Tis the season" for cobia, also.

I prefer to locate the bait pods and sight cast in to the schools of bait with light tackle. The bait pods usually can be located at the ocean side of the north or south jetties or the St. Marys Sound on the incoming tide all the way through to the high tide. Sight casting for Spanish mackerel with light tackle is a fun way to spend some time on the water.

Spanish mackerel have to be 12 inches to the fork and you may have a bag limit of 15 to keep. Follow the rules and regulations and have a fun day on the water with family and friends. As always, handle with care, Spanish mackerel have a mouth full of razor sharp teeth.

Until next time ... Capt. Jim.