Heading to Destin for business next week. I'm going to add 3 extra days to fish. I booked the closest condo there is to the east jetty at Destin Harbor. After a few minutes of Googleing i see that the Spanish and Kings will be running the jetty's all of May. There a ton of other fish being caught from the jetty's in May, but i want to target the Mackerel. Does anyone have any suggestions as far as tackle, pound test/leader, times, tides, size fish, etc. I’ve fished the beaches all my life catching whites, blues, shark, stingrays, and lady fish. But those fish are lame... Any insight will be appreciated. i would prefer plugs and spoons. But seems like a chicken rig would be an easy Plan B?

If you are after the Spanish and Kings your tackle will need be a medium spinning reel that can hold at a minimum 250 yds of 14-15 lb test as this is a little over kill for the Spanish but if a big smoker (30-40lbs)comes along you will need every inch of it. The best plug for the Spanish would be a Gotcha lure that you can get at any of the bait shops in Florida as well as BassPro.The gotcha is fish just like a jerkbait only difference is dont pause. Another old standby for both species is the Clark Spoon. Simple rig ....add a 1-2 oz sinker ahead of a 4-5 foot leader throw it out as far as possible let it sink to the bottom and wind like hell.....if you think it is too fast reel faster. But a word of caution when fishing the spoon and plugs if the kings are thick you will need to add a small trace of light wire or you will go broke losing tackle. But if the spanish are your primary target you can get away with a 40-50 lb mono leader without getting cut off. Also another rig for the Spanish that I have had good luck with is the straw rig and will also catch blues and lady fish as well. I think you can buy them pre made up but if not it is a clear casting bubble half filled with water and a 3 feet 40 lb leader with a 3 inch piece of a McDonalds drinking straw slid down onto a treble hook. This is also fished just like the spoon throw it as far as you can and wind. But if the kings are what you are wanting nothing will beat a freelined live cigar minnow or hardtail which can all be caught right off the jetties. To catch you some live bait and have some for the day you will need to things a couple of small sabiki rigs and a bait bucket that you can have in the water and retrieve when you need a fresh bait. Last piece of advice the early morning bite will be the best as the bait will be thick early but as the sun rises they move out of the pass and off to the deeper water pulling all of the different gamefish out of your reach.

check this out plan b

http://fishingdestinguide.com/JETTYFISHING.html

That's awesome. Thats what i was looking for...What about bombers and redfins?

thanks marley. Thats the same website where i saw the mackeral will be in town. but doesnt go into detail on how to get them in the cooler.

I just sent you a PM with some additional info as this is too much typing for a good detailed report.

If you have time you should check out the okaloosa island pier (1200`)

How'd your Destin trip go?