Spanish vs Greenback question - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Tman · 09-08-2010, 05:55 PM

Well, even though some of the responses have been from those that outfish me a zillion to 1/2, I have to chime in...

Greenbacks are heartier, psychotic even, seals love 'em, so why shouldn't YT?

Spanish macs, kinda lethargic at times not feisty like greenbacks.

Truth though is that it is all a matter of preference. The homeguard YT prefer bait they are used to seeing, the greenbacks. The migratory YT prefer bait from their home waters, Spanish macs. The key is to identify where the YT you caught is from, is he a home guard, or is he just passing through?

Once you figure that out, you have answered your question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WahooUSMA

What’s the difference? I know I’ll get some wise @ss remarks, but I am totally serious.

Hope this helps...

Vikingj · 09-08-2010, 07:38 PM

I've been told greenies are best for YT and spanish are better for halibut. Others have claimed that the best bait for 'buts are smelt, or anchovies, or squid, or grunion, or sardines, or surf perch. One guy told me that he was most successful with lizard fish?? So, what is the best bait for hali's in LJ? Thanks,
Wayne

BigBalsa · 09-08-2010, 08:28 PM

greenbackMack.jpg spanishMack.jpg

dorado50 · 09-08-2010, 08:35 PM

I've heard sardines and squid work pretty good too.

Just guessing though. What do you use for bait when the water is too warm for mackeral?

sandydiego · 09-08-2010, 10:29 PM

There are times when I am happy to get any live bait out there. Lately, getting a greenie is like hitting gold.

SGV Rookie · 09-09-2010, 07:13 AM

I think certain sea creatures like certain things. I once saw a 1.5 lb dead smelt get turned down by a seal. He was happy to take my daughters offering of a dead green back. In my opinion I think the Pacific green back has a higher oil content and is prefered by fish including themselves.

On Spanish macs, I was out on a two day fishing trip, out of thirty on board only 13 albacore were caught. The night fishing was a blast though. Light bass rod fishing with jigs and we were catching 4 pound spanish macks! Fun and made great shark bait. I brought some home and it makes the bomb Ceviche and decent fish tacos.

Useful Idiot · 09-09-2010, 11:10 AM

Some guy called the Iceman wrote an article about live bait a while back. click here

dfroggy54 · 09-09-2010, 01:59 PM

greeenie for sure!

THE DARKHORSE · 09-09-2010, 02:41 PM

Smelt, Spanish Mackerel, Pacific Greenback Mackerel, Squid, Chovie, Sardine---they all work in the right place at the right time---just like a rusty 'ol, beat to crap, iron without any paint.

Jimmyz123 · 09-09-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBalsa

Attachment 2873 Attachment 2874

So the top one is the Spanish Mac and the bottom photo is the greenie? Am I correct?

I will honestly say I have never seen a greenback until now.

shortstack · 09-09-2010, 12:50 PM

Green backs are Mackerel, Spanish Macks are actually Jacks not a Mackerel. They do look very similar but if you look closely at the meat when bled out the spanish macks have lighter colored flesh and less oilly. If you try spanish mac sushi and mackerel side by side they taste very different, So that being said I'm sure some fish YT,WSB,Butts, and so on prefer different taste.

467echo · 09-09-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

So the top one is the Spanish Mac and the bottom photo is the greenie? Am I correct?

I will honestly say I have never seen a greenback until now.

250 posts in 6 months and havn't figured out what a greenback looks like until now

Time to get the feet wet!!

WahooUSMA · 09-09-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 467echo

250 posts in 6 months and havn't figured out what a greenback looks like until now

Time to get the feet wet!!

Yeah Eric, but you do catch fish, whatever you might be fishing with!

deepdvr · 09-09-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

So the top one is the Spanish Mac and the bottom photo is the greenie? Am I correct?

I will honestly say I have never seen a greenback until now.

LOL...the other way around Jimmy.

Jimmyz123 · 09-09-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepdvr

LOL...the other way around Jimmy.

Thanks guys, it has been a while since I have been on the water. My feet are pretty dry.

Jzo · 09-09-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

So the top one is the Spanish Mac and the bottom photo is the greenie? Am I correct?

I will honestly say I have never seen a greenback until now.

9-9-2010-6-32-07-PM2.jpg

Greenbacks are very slimy seem to be bigger in size and very active.

Pictures provided by BigBalsa, Edited by Jzo.

sdfisher · 09-08-2010, 08:32 PM

The best bait for halibut is whatever one you put in front of it when it is hungry!

09-09-2010, 07:13 AM	#6
SGV Rookie Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Gabriel Valley Posts: 89	Spanish Mack I think certain sea creatures like certain things. I once saw a 1.5 lb dead smelt get turned down by a seal. He was happy to take my daughters offering of a dead green back. In my opinion I think the Pacific green back has a higher oil content and is prefered by fish including themselves. On Spanish macs, I was out on a two day fishing trip, out of thirty on board only 13 albacore were caught. The night fishing was a blast though. Light bass rod fishing with jigs and we were catching 4 pound spanish macks! Fun and made great shark bait. I brought some home and it makes the bomb Ceviche and decent fish tacos.

09-09-2010, 11:10 AM	#7
Useful Idiot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 286	Some guy called the Iceman wrote an article about live bait a while back. click here __________________

09-09-2010, 02:41 PM	#9
THE DARKHORSE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seven minutes from the launch! Posts: 987	Smelt, Spanish Mackerel, Pacific Greenback Mackerel, Squid, Chovie, Sardine---they all work in the right place at the right time---just like a rusty 'ol, beat to crap, iron without any paint. __________________

09-08-2010, 07:38 PM	#2
Vikingj Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dana Point area Posts: 438	I've been told greenies are best for YT and spanish are better for halibut. Others have claimed that the best bait for 'buts are smelt, or anchovies, or squid, or grunion, or sardines, or surf perch. One guy told me that he was most successful with lizard fish?? So, what is the best bait for hali's in LJ? Thanks, Wayne

09-08-2010, 08:28 PM	#3
BigBalsa Junior Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 28	greenbackMack.jpg spanishMack.jpg

09-08-2010, 08:35 PM	#4
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	I've heard sardines and squid work pretty good too. Just guessing though. What do you use for bait when the water is too warm for mackeral?

09-08-2010, 10:29 PM	#5
sandydiego Rum Pirate Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wilds of Mira Mesa Posts: 388	There are times when I am happy to get any live bait out there. Lately, getting a greenie is like hitting gold.

09-09-2010, 01:59 PM	#8
dfroggy54 Rolly Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 245	greeenie for sure!

09-09-2010, 12:50 PM	#11
shortstack Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: LJ Posts: 97	Green backs are Mackerel, Spanish Macks are actually Jacks not a Mackerel. They do look very similar but if you look closely at the meat when bled out the spanish macks have lighter colored flesh and less oilly. If you try spanish mac sushi and mackerel side by side they taste very different, So that being said I'm sure some fish YT,WSB,Butts, and so on prefer different taste.

09-08-2010, 08:32 PM	#17
sdfisher Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 179	The best bait for halibut is whatever one you put in front of it when it is hungry!