A look at the recent reports coming from Outer Banks fishing piers reveals the presence of two dependable summer stalwarts, bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Both fish follow the same movements and feeding patterns and both are available from spring through fall. Bluefish, which are able to tolerate lower water temperatures, arrive first and are followed by the mackerel.

Bluefish made a strong early season showing in late April and have been cooperating from most of the piers and several surf locations since then. Spanish have been around for a few weeks, periodically moving off the beach when strong westerly winds cause the inshore water temperatures to plummet.

Both species travel in schools and are sometimes mixed together. They are aggressive, vicious predators, frequently chasing baitfish in a frenzy of wild surface activity. Spanish are rarely caught on bottom fished natural baits, but bluefish will eagerly take a piece of fresh mullet presented on a bottom rig.

Two-hook fireball rigs are the best bottom rigs for bluefish. The bright colors and movement attract the interest of feeding blues, and these rigs can be especially productive when the surf is rough and cloudy. Standard two-hook bottom rigs, with snelled hooks size 1 to 1/0 will also work. Summertime blues are small, rarely weighing more than two pounds, so wire leaders are not necessary. Oily menhaden and mullet are the local favorite baits.

The most effective and exciting way to catch Spanish macks is on artificial lures. The mackerel’s sleek shape, pointed snouts and deeply forked tails enable them to pursue prey with amazing speed. In the blink of an eye, a clear calm ocean may suddenly erupt into a frenzy of feeding mackerel! And they can move out as quickly as they arrive.

Bluefish and Spanish will eagerly attack lures, especially when feeding on small baitfish such as silversides, anchovies or mullet. Surfcasters catch them on small silver spoons, but pier anglers prefer a jigging-type lure that will move up and down in the water column on the retrieve.

Among pier anglers, Sea Striker’s Got-Cha jigs are the runaway favorite lure along the Outer Banks. Exact color may vary from day to day, but it’s tough to beat the red head and neon green body combination. Got-Chas are most effective when retrieved with an erratic, up and down or sweeping motion of the rod tip.

Both species have a mouth full of very sharp teeth, and choice of terminal tackle may vary from angler to angler. Some will add a short piece of black, braided wire in front of the lures, while others opt for a similar length of heavy monofilament, tied directly to the line with a Uni-knot. I feel the mono leader will draw more strikes.

Got-Cha plugs are deadly, but on some days, small lead head jigs in the 3/8 to 5/8 ounce range, dressed with Fin-S or Gotcha soft plastic tails will do fine for the macks and blues. The single hook on these lures makes unhooking the fish much easier and avoids having to deal with two sets of needle sharp treble hooks attached to a wildly flapping fish, but the soft plastic tails can be sliced to shreds after a few fish.

Many anglers will have two rods rigged for Spanish and blues. One might be a stiff-tipped seven to eight foot-spinning rod, mated to a reel filled with 14-pound monofilament. This is the outfit that’s used for fishing with bait, and the rod should be stout enough to handle up to three ounces of weight.

The other is a seven-foot spinning outfit, with 12-pound test line, used only for casting artificials. The rod can be lighter than the bait fishing rig, but extremely soft “buggy whip” sticks should be avoided. A rod that’s too soft will make it difficult to pull a thrashing, two-pound fish out of the water, and hoist it over the pier rails.

Clear water is the best condition for throwing artificials to both blues and macks. Depending on the stage of tide, availability of bait and wind direction, they may appear at any time, but early and late in the day are usually peak times for the best action. Early is my favorite time of the day, especially during the summer, as the fish tend to be less active under a blazing hot sun that’s full in the sky.

The fish may also be caught from just outside the breakers to the deeper water at the ends of the piers. Always on the move, Spanish frequently show themselves by feeding on the surface or jumping several feet out of the water. Both have teeth that will hurt you, and the teeth of a Spanish mackerel are pointed and as sharp as any surgeon’s scalpel. I always use pliers to remove the hooks, even on the smaller macks.

Bluefish and Spanish mackerel can add some spice to the sometimes lackluster doldrums of summertime pier fishing, and they are always welcome guests at my dinner table. I like them broiled or grilled, with a dash of salt, lemon pepper and butter, but be sure to throw them on ice immediately and clean them as soon as possible to enjoy their wonderful flavor.

Joe Malat is a book author, freelance writer, photographer, and director of the Outer Banks Surf Fishing Schools. His web site, joemalat.com, features information about his schools and books, fishing tips and weekly fishing reports.