February isn’t just about celebrating love—it’s also the start of Spanish mackerel season for the Reel Ladies. This is when schools of Spanish mackerel enter the bay, chasing glass minnows, making it the perfect time to fish.

Spanish mackerel fishing is a fun and simple activity for anglers of all experience levels. Suzy Nichols, founder of the Reel Ladies, uses this as an introduction for new members and children. It’s easy to learn, exciting, and a great way to build confidence on the water.

This type of fishing is done trolling with lightweight spinning rods and daisy chain lures, which have multiple hooks. It’s not uncommon to reel in four fish at once, as you can see in some of our photos!

While the Reel Ladies participate in Spanish mackerel tournaments and enjoy the challenge, their focus isn’t on earning recognition for their catch. Instead, they treasure the love of the sport itself. True to their tagline, “Ladies Can Too!”, they are more passionate about being recognized as trailblazers in a traditionally male-dominated activity than for the size of their haul. It’s all about having fun, encouraging others, and showing that women belong on the water.

The best part? Spanish mackerel taste amazing when cooked fresh, especially fried as fish bites—a treat everyone enjoys. So ladies, give this a try—it’s a lot of fun!