Spanish Mackerel

Spanish mackerel are compact silvery fish dappled with golden-yellow oval spots across the flanks, with no scales on the pectoral fins, a quick way to tell them from the larger king mackerel. Rows of sharp teeth line the jaws.

They travel nearshore Atlantic and Gulf waters along beaches, inlets, and bays, following bait schools and often feeding right at the surface.

Spanish mackerel move in fast schools, slashing through glass minnows and small baitfish and frequently churning the surface beneath diving birds. Anglers cast small shiny spoons, jigs, and flashy flies retrieved quickly, or troll tiny spoons behind planers to reach them. A short length of light wire or heavy fluorocarbon guards against their teeth. They strike aggressively and fight in quick darting runs, and they make fine eating when iced promptly.