Can You Use Mackerel For Bait?

Spanish mackerel on the fly? Youbetcha.

There are quite a few regulations that dictate what you can and cannot use as bait while fishing in federal waters or with federally managed species. Many of the regulations aren’t directly related to guidance on the use of species as bait, but do dictate harvest or possession specifications and control how species are treated once they’re on board. The following is a list of commonly asked questions related to the proper use of bait:

When do I have to use a circle hook?

You are required to use non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing for reef fish with natural baits. Circle hooks are not required when you’re using artificial baits like jigs and lures. If you plan to combine a natural and artificial bait, like a shrimp and jig combo, be sure to use a circle hook. The only exception to the circle hook/natural bait requirement applies to the commercial yellowtail snapper fishery south of Cape Sable (25°09′ North latitude in the Gulf) off the Florida Keys. Those fishermen target yellowtail by chumming them to the surface and harvesting them with cane poles, so they’re allowed to use j-hooks with natural bait.

Can I use vermilion snapper (aka Beeliners) or other reef fish as bait?

The use of Gulf reef fish as bait is prohibited. Gulf reef fish may not be used as bait in any fishery. The only exception to this is that filleted carcasses and guts of Gulf reef fish can be used as bait in trap fisheries for blue crab, stone crab, deep-water crab, and spiny lobster as long as it’s purchased from a fish processor. Vermilion snapper is considered to be a Reef Fish species so it can’t be used as bait. The link below will bring you to a complete list of federally managed species, including species that are considered “Reef Fish”: https://gulfcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Species-Managed-03_2018_shortversion-1.pdf

Can I use Spanish mackerel or other Coastal Migratory Pelagic species as bait?

There is no specific prohibition on using Coastal Migratory Pelagic species as bait, which includes Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and cobia. However, finfish

must be maintained with heads and fins intact and minimum size limits and possession limits still apply. If you do want to use one for bait, make sure it’s of legal size and maintained in whole condition.

Can I use fish guts or carcasses as bait?

There are no rules preventing the use of fish guts as bait. However, the rule governing whether you can use fish carcasses as bait is clear: all finfish harvested from federal waters must be maintained with heads and fins intact. Remember to keep these important things in mind: 1. This rule applies broadly to finfish, not just species designated as reef fish, coastal migratory or highly migratory species. 2. This applies even if you’re considering bringing fish carcasses that you’ve landed and cleaned on a subsequent fishing trip to use as bait. In such a case, the heads and fins intact regulation makes using fish carcasses illegal. There are afew exceptions that would allow for limited use of fish carcasses as bait. You may use packaged, headless fish fillets that have the skin attached and are frozen, refrigerated, or held in brine. You may also use small pieces or strips of carcass (no

larger than 3×9 inches) that have skin attached and are frozen, refrigerated, or held in brine. Finally, the filleted carcasses and guts of Gulf reef fish can be used as bait in trap fisheries for blue crab, stone crab, deep-water crab, and spiny lobster as long as it’s purchased from a fish processor. Using your own harvested reef fish carcasses is not legal.

For more answers on bait usage in the Gulf of Mexico click here.