Atlantic Spanish Mackerel

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Atlantic Spanish Mackerel






The Atlantic Spanish Mackerel, more commonly known simply as the Spanish Mackerel.
The Atlantic Spanish Mackerel, more commonly known simply as the Spanish Mackerel, lives primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean.  It can be found in large areas of water, including oceanic areas from Massachusetts all the way down to warm tropical waters near the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.  Spanish Mackerel are migratory fish, moving from place to place at all times.  This means that this species of fish maintains a seasonal structure. Everything from where it breeds, where it searches for food, where it needs to be for warmth, and where the best chances for survival are, all effects its migrational movement.  It can be found migrating during spring around the Gulf of Mexico, and later in the fall, it returns to the warm waters around Florida. 

The Spanish Mackerel is easily recognized by their yellowish, goldish spots on the sides of their bodies. They don’t have any side striping like other species, but the spots do appear in rows.  The body is silver color, but the back remains bluish.  They are also easily spotted due to their black tipped secondary dorsal fin.  All of the fins are triangular, giving the fish a somewhat devilish look.

The Atlantic Spanish Mackerel is a bottom dwelling fish known to be found in shallow waters around sandy shores.  It usually prefers water depth of around 20 to 40 feet, but like most fish that take shelter in the winter, it can be found in water depths of nearly 80 feet.  They are forced deeper into waters during the cold season because the surface temperature of the water drops drastically.  As their food moves deeper, they are forced to follow and migrate.


One of the greatest ways to catch this fish is using baits such as jigs, but using things like feather lures and spoons are just as common. Live bait, such as minnows and shrimp, will help entice action.
These fish spawning during the months of May through September, in the warm waters around the shore of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico.  Like most fish, the female Atlantic Spanish Mackerel grows larger than her male counterpart.  The female fish can grow as large as 33 inches in length and can weigh up to 11 pounds, while the males only grow as large as 19 inches in length, but maintain a similar weight of 11 pounds.  These fish feed mainly on meat, choosing smaller fish, squid and shrimp as their dietary targets. 

There are some techniques for catching such a vivacious fish.  One of the greatest ways to catch this fish is using baits such as jigs, but using things like feather lures and spoons are just as common.  Live bait, such as minnows and shrimp, will help entice action, and some anglers might be surprised by the bite that this fish has.  Over recent years, the Atlantic Spanish Mackerel has become a popular gaming fish due to its strong fighting nature, and it’s increasing in popularity. Their populations are large in numbers, and they don’t show any signs of endangerment.

 

Saltwater Fish Species Guide

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