Spanish Mackerel Season at Fernandina Beach
Spanish mackerel fishing out of Fernandina Beach runs through the warm months in the nearshore Atlantic off the St. Marys inlet. September is strong, and fish show back up in the fall transition when the water is about 79 F. This page covers the port only. For biology, size and behavior, see the spanish mackerel species guide. Fish here follow the coastwide warm-water pattern described in the Atlantic southeast picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
Three markers set the timing:
- Warm months: spanish mackerel fish the nearshore water at this port.
- September: the bite is strong.
- Fall transition: fish show back up when the water is about 79 F.
Warm Months Nearshore
Spanish mackerel are a warm-months fish at Fernandina Beach. They work the nearshore Atlantic rather than the deep water offshore.
The September Bite
Pipe Dream reports a strong September bite, so September is the month to plan around.
The Fall Return at 79 F
Fish show back up in the fall transition when the water is about 79 F. A water temperature gauge will tell you when you’ve hit that number.
Where Boats Run
Boats leave through St. Marys inlet and fish the nearshore Atlantic, plus the Fernandina jetties. For launch and conditions context, see the Fernandina Beach port page.
| Where | Distance or position | Local source |
|---|---|---|
| Nearshore Atlantic | Inside roughly 9 miles of the marina | BeatTheOddz |
| Bait pods | Same pods as kingfish | Local pattern |
| Jetties | At the inlet | BeatTheOddz |
Nearshore Inside 9 Miles
According to BeatTheOddz, the run is the nearshore Atlantic inside roughly 9 miles of the marina.
The Bait Pods
Spanish mackerel work the same bait pods as kingfish, so the pods kingfish feed on are where to look for spanish.
The Jetties
BeatTheOddz also fishes spanish mackerel at the jetties.
Grounds and Structure
The charted reef and culvert sites near Fernandina Beach sit in a 60 to 83 ft band inside the nearshore run. The table runs shallow to deep. The Captain Daddy (CD-06-#01) position comes from the FWC artificial reef guide. Blank cells mean no position is listed.
| Site | Depth (ft) | Position | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FB-6 culverts site | 60 | About 30 39.9 N, 81 11.0 W | |
| BA reef sites (BA Reef, BA Site) | 60-65 | ||
| Captain Daddy (CD-06-#01) artificial reef | 67 | 30 25.920 N, 81 15.953 W | FWC guide |
| Captain Daddy (CD-06-#02) artificial reef | 67 | ||
| Fernandina Banks Barbett (wooden boat) and 1989 culverts | 70 | About 30 36.6 N, 81 10.6 W | |
| Fernandina Snapper Banks culverts (FC sites, 1988 to 1991) | 70-83 | Concrete culverts at about 30 36 to 30 38.7 N, 81 11 W |
Chart layers and coordinates are not for navigation.
Nearshore Reefs and Culverts
FB-6 and the BA sites are the shallowest at 60 to 65 ft. The Captain Daddy reefs sit at 67 ft. Barbett and the Snapper Banks culverts run 70 to 83 ft.
The Ledge and the Gulf Stream Break
The Ledge and the Gulf Stream break are other grounds this port fishes, and neither is spanish mackerel water. The Ledge is a named ground out of Fernandina Beach. According to Pipe Dream, the Gulf Stream temperature break and weed lines sit in 100 to 1000 ft, 50 to 70-plus miles out of the inlet.
How It’s Fished and Who Fishes It
Locally, spanish mackerel fishing out of Fernandina Beach comes down to two methods. Kingfish share the bait pods, so the kingfish and offshore gamefish guides cover the same water from the bigger-fish side.
- Trolling. Pipe Dream lists trolling, and BeatTheOddz keeps a local trolling species list that includes spanish mackerel.
- Light tackle. Pipe Dream lists light tackle.
Trolling
Both local sources name trolling. BeatTheOddz keeps a trolling species list for the port.
Light Tackle
Pipe Dream lists light tackle for spanish mackerel.
Local Charters
Three Fernandina Beach charters list spanish mackerel:
- Pipe Dream Charters. Captain Scott Thompson. See Pipe Dream Charters offshore trips.
- HooDoo Sportfishing Charters. Captains Tim Altman and Chris Altman, father and son.
- BeatTheOddz Charters. Captain Kenny. See BeatTheOddz Charters with Captain Kenny.
The Kingfish Tournament and Fishing Rodeo
The Kingfish Tournament and Fishing Rodeo runs out of Fernandina Beach, usually in May.
FAQ: Spanish Mackerel Fishing Out of Fernandina Beach
When is the best time for spanish mackerel at Fernandina Beach?
Warm months nearshore. Pipe Dream reports a strong September bite, and fish show back up in the fall transition when the water is about 79 F.
How far do boats run?
Inside roughly 9 miles of the marina, on the same bait pods as kingfish. BeatTheOddz also fishes spanish mackerel at the jetties.
What water temperature brings them back in fall?
About 79 F. That is when fish show back up nearshore in the fall transition.
Which reefs are closest in depth?
FB-6 at 60 ft and the BA sites at 60 to 65 ft are the shallowest. The Captain Daddy reefs follow at 67 ft.
Who runs charters for them?
Pipe Dream Charters (Captain Scott Thompson), HooDoo Sportfishing Charters (Captains Tim Altman and Chris Altman) and BeatTheOddz Charters (Captain Kenny) all list spanish mackerel.
