Spanish mackerel fishing out of Little River runs from spring into fall, with fish from just outside the inlet out to about 40 ft of water. Boats leave through Little River Inlet and troll or cast the nearshore band. General information on the species is in our Spanish mackerel guide; this page covers fishing out of Little River.
When Spanish mackerel are here
Spanish mackerel arrive off Little River by late April, according to Voyager, and reports run April through October. The season runs spring into fall.
The coastwide migration picture is in our Atlantic Southeast Spanish mackerel guide (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide). The late-April arrival and the October tail mark the edges of a trip window.
Where boats run from Little River Inlet
The runs below go from near to far, and each ground is measured against the inlet-to-40-ft band.
Just outside the inlet
Boats troll just outside Little River Inlet. It is the shortest run on the page and the usual first stop.
Out to about 40 ft
Captain Smiley reports Spanish from the inlet out to about 40 ft of water. That depth is a useful filter for the grounds that follow.
5 to 10 miles out
Voyager trolls 5 to 10 miles out, the long run for boats that want to cover more water.
Grounds and structure
Little River Reef is the closest structure on the list and sits inside the about-40-ft band. The rest run outward from there.
| Name | Depth | Bearing / distance | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little River Reef | 25 ft | Inside the about-40-ft band | |
| Ninety Ninety Rock | Within a few miles of land | ||
| Three Mile Reef | |||
| General Sherman Wreck | 48 ft | ||
| Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02) | 55 ft | 156 degrees, 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet | Beyond the about-40-ft band |
| Ron McManus Memorial Reef (PA-04) | |||
| BP-25 Reef | 92 ft | Deeper water | |
| Blackjack | Offshore area with blackfin and mahi |
General Sherman at 48 ft and PA-02 at 55 ft sit just past the reported band. BP-25 at 92 ft and Blackjack, where boats look for blackfin and mahi, are offshore gamefish water rather than Spanish water.
Chart layers are not for navigation.
How Spanish are fished here
Local boats either troll spoons or sight-cast to surface-feeding schools.
Trolling spoons and Clarkspoons
Trolling spoons and Clarkspoons is the main boat method. Work them along the inlet-to-40-ft band and out through the 5-to-10-mile water.
Sight-casting jigs and Gotcha plugs
Anglers cast jigs or Gotcha plugs into surface-feeding schools. The same approach is often used from the beach and piers.
Who fishes for them out of this port
Four Little River operators list Spanish mackerel:
- Voyager Fishing Charters (Voyager Deep Sea Fishing & Dolphin Cruises): Super Voyager III and Continental Shelf. Trolls 5 to 10 miles out.
- Captain Smiley Fishing Charters: Reports Spanish from the inlet out to about 40 ft.
- Big O’s Fishing Charters: 35 ft Triton 351 with twin 425 HP Yamaha, Captain Orlando.
- Fish Screamer III charter listing (Fish Screamer Charters): 41 ft custom fiberglass boat, Captain Danny Juel.
FAQ: Spanish mackerel fishing out of Little River
When do Spanish mackerel show up at Little River?
By late April, per Voyager. Reports run April through October.
How far out do boats run for Spanish?
From just outside the inlet. Voyager trolls 5 to 10 miles out.
What depth holds Spanish mackerel here?
Captain Smiley reports them from the inlet out to about 40 ft. Little River Reef sits at 25 ft.
What lures do locals use?
Trolled spoons and Clarkspoons, or jigs and Gotcha plugs cast into surface-feeding schools, including from the beach and piers.
Which charters target Spanish mackerel out of Little River?
Voyager, Captain Smiley, Big O’s and Fish Screamer III.
