The Spanish Mackerel
April 21, 2013
By Florida Sportsman Editor
The Spanish Mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus
Dark above with silvery sides. Many spots, which are both yellow and brown. The body is proportionately deeper than with juvenile King Mackerel, and the yellow spots appear rounder and brighter, but if in doubt, the only true identifier is the lateral line, which tapers rather gently from front to back with no severe dip.
SIZE
Common at 1-3 pounds; not too unusual at 5-7 pounds; maximum potential over 10 pounds. World record 13 pounds; Florida record 12 pounds.
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FOOD VALUE
If you like rich, rather dark fillets, they are great broiled or skinned and fried. Good smoked, too.
GAME QUALITIES
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Outstanding on light tackle; very fast runs.
TACKLE AND BAITS
Spinning, baitcasting and fly out- fits. Spinning is often best because the faster retrieve of a spinning reel is sometimes needed to move a lure at a pace that will interest the Mackerel. Best lures are small white nylon jigs and silver spoons, but many oth- ers work, including topwater at times. Flies should be small with lots of flash. Best baits are small silvery baitfish, live shrimp and drifted strips.
FISHING SYSTEMS
Drifting;Trolling; Still Fishing.
OTHER NAMES
Sierra
RANGE
All Florida coasts, Cuba and Hispaniola; not present in most Caribbean Islands or the Bahamas.
HABITAT
Largely coastal, but roams offshore at times.
Summerland Mackerel Forum member islandhopper shares a nice mackerel caught off Summerland reef
Spanish Mackeral Florida Sportsman Forum Member brangler caught this Spanish Mackeral while trolling the channel by skyway.
Keys Spanish Mackeral A Keys Spanish Mackeral caught offshore while trolling using live bait.
Spanish Mackeral Nick Robertson holds this big Spanish mackeral while fishing offshore.
Jack's Mack! 8 year old Jack Paine caught this 20 inch spanish mackerel on a dead pilchard off of key biscayne in 20 feet of water.
Spanish Mackerel Caught by FS Member Nick of Cedar Key
Spanish Mackerel FS Member Nick caught this spanish mackerel off of Cedar Key
Spanish Mackerel The beaches hold spanish mackerel year-round and make for a great way to put a bend in the rod.
Japie and Sam's Macks Japie Venter of George, South Africa, and Sam Murphree of Columbus, GA with their limit of spanish mackerel caught in Panama City
10000 Islands Spanish Mackerel FS Member Rizangler caught this spanish mackerel in the 10000 Islands.
Government Cut Spanish Mackerel Florida Sportsman member The Cat's Eye caught these spanish mackerel near Government Cut.
Spanish Mackerel This sizable Spanish mackerel could almost be mistaken for a kingfish.
Spanish Mackerel Mackerel are a top catch for young anglers.
