Spanish mackerel fishing out of Boca Grande runs on two windows. Native Salt names May and June, and ReelFishing reports the fall run arriving along Boca Grande beach in October and staying good through November. Fish work the beach, the passes and nearshore reefs out to 21 miles. This page gives depth, distance and bearing for each named ground so you can match a run to the reports.
When Spanish mackerel are off Boca Grande
Two windows matter here: May and June in spring, and October through November in fall. For the coast-wide migration, see our Gulf of Mexico Spanish mackerel guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide).
| Window | Months | Where it is reported | Reported by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | May and June | Boca Grande area | Native Salt |
| Spring arrival | April | Near Englewood and Ski Alley | Regional April report |
| Fall arrival | October | Along Boca Grande beach | ReelFishing |
| Fall run | Through November | Boca Grande area | ReelFishing |
Spring
Native Salt names May and June as the spring window. A regional April report has fish moving in near Englewood and Ski Alley, which puts the first fish north of the pass before the main window opens.
Fall
ReelFishing reports the fall arrival along Boca Grande beach in October and says the run is good through November. Plan around those two months and use the daily reports to narrow it down.
Where boats run and the reefs that hold fish
Fish work Boca Grande beach and nearshore structure, including reefs and the passes. Ramps, passes and navigation notes are on the Boca Grande port page.
Mary Reef’s bearing is from Gasparilla Pass. Every other bearing is from Boca Grande Pass, for boats clearing the pass from Charlotte Harbor.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Distance (mi) | Bearing | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasparilla Reef | 12 | |||
| Mary Reef | 30 | 3.0 | 205° | Gasparilla Pass |
| Helen Reef | 30 | 5.7 | 195° | Boca Grande Pass |
| PowerPole Reef | 45 | 7.3 | 254° | Boca Grande Pass |
| Charlottes Reef | 52 | 12.7 | 286° | Boca Grande Pass |
| Causeway Reef | 26 | 12.8 | 286° | Boca Grande Pass |
| CCA Phoenix Reef | 50 | |||
| Boxcar Reef | 70 | 21 | 267° | Boca Grande Pass |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Reef positions and chart layers are not for navigation.
Beach and passes
Boca Grande beach, Boca Grande Pass and Gasparilla Pass are the starting water. ReelFishing reports the October arrival along the beach, so the beach and the passes are where the fall run shows first.
Gasparilla, Mary and Helen reefs
Gasparilla Reef sits in 12 ft. Mary Reef is in 30 ft, 3.0 miles at 205° from Gasparilla Pass. Helen Reef is also in 30 ft, 5.7 miles at 195° from Boca Grande Pass. The two share a depth but are measured from different passes.
PowerPole, Causeway and Charlottes
PowerPole Reef is in 45 ft, 7.3 miles at 254°. Causeway Reef and Charlottes Reef share the 286° line, at 12.8 and 12.7 miles. Causeway is in 26 ft and Charlottes in 52 ft, so one run reaches two depths. CCA Phoenix Reef sits in 50 ft.
Boxcar and the long run
Boxcar Reef is the farthest ground on the list: 70 ft, 21 miles at 267°. Anchors Away lists Spanish mackerel on 5 to 9 hour offshore trips.
How Spanish mackerel are fished out of Boca Grande
Three methods come up in local reports, and each ties back to the grounds above. Leaders, tackle and biology are in our Spanish mackerel guide.
- Sardine chum. Live sardines around structure and the passes.
- Spoons and jigs. Shiny spoons or jigs, cast to fish.
- Trolled Clark spoons. Small Clark spoons, trolled.
Sardine chum
ReelFishing reports chumming live sardines around nearshore structure and the passes. That points to the passes and the close reefs: Gasparilla, Mary and Helen.
Spoons and jigs
Native Salt reports shiny spoons or jigs. Both fit the beach and the passes, where fish show in May and June.
Clark spoons
ReelFishing reports trolling small Clark spoons. Trolling covers the longer legs between reefs.
Who targets Spanish mackerel from Boca Grande
These local charters list Spanish mackerel:
- Anchors Away Charters, Capt. Jeff Watkins Sr. See the Anchors Away offshore trip details. Spanish mackerel are listed on 5 to 9 hour offshore trips.
- ReelFishing Charters, Captain Danny Latham. See the ReelFishing nearshore charter trips. Sardine chum and Clark spoons, plus the fall run along the beach.
- Native Salt Charters, Capt. Justin Cauffman. See the Native Salt fishing calendar. May and June, with spoons and jigs.
- Salty Jaw Charters, Capt. Jesse Beye at Salty Jaw.
FAQ about Spanish mackerel fishing out of Boca Grande
When is Spanish mackerel season in Boca Grande?
Native Salt names May and June. ReelFishing reports fish arriving along Boca Grande beach in October, with the run good through November.
How far do you run for Spanish mackerel from Boca Grande?
Fish are reported from the beach and passes out to Boxcar Reef at 21 miles. Anchors Away lists Spanish mackerel on 5 to 9 hour offshore trips.
What reefs hold Spanish mackerel near Boca Grande?
The named grounds are Mary Reef at 3.0 miles, Helen Reef at 5.7, PowerPole Reef at 7.3, Charlottes Reef at 12.7, Causeway Reef at 12.8 and Boxcar Reef at 21. Gasparilla Reef (12 ft) and CCA Phoenix Reef (50 ft) round out the list.
How do local captains catch Spanish mackerel at Boca Grande?
ReelFishing reports chumming live sardines around structure and the passes, plus trolling small Clark spoons. Native Salt reports shiny spoons or jigs.
What else lives on the same grounds?
Other species on these grounds are covered in our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
