Also known as
- Atlantic Spanish Mackerel US
- Spanish Mack US
- Greenback US
Identification
An Atlantic warm-temperate coastal mackerel with a slim streamlined torpedo build engineered for blistering speed and aggressive bait-school attacks. Males grow slightly larger than females.
- Three rows of round-to-elliptical golden-yellow spots on silvery flanks — diagnostic mark
- Metallic green back with a sharp colour transition to silver flanks
- Black-tipped first dorsal fin
- Sharp flattened cutting-edged teeth set in close rows
- Slim, fully scaled body smaller than king or cero mackerel
Where it holds
- Inshore
- Sandy Shores
- Estuaries
Behaviour
An Atlantic warm-temperate coastal-pelagic mackerel migrating in massive surface schools. Pursues bait around inlets, passes, beaches, and nearshore reefs in 10-35m. Surface-feeding bust-ups under bird workups are diagnostic. Northward migration with 20°C (68°F)+ water; southward retreat as it cools. Smaller schools work close to beaches, piers, and jetties — accessible to shore anglers. Continuous swimmer. Peak activity at dawn and dusk.
Diet: Cigar Minnows, Threadfin Herring, Anchovies, Sardines, Small Mullet, Small Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Trolling
The defining US East Coast/Gulf approach — fast-troll small Clark spoons (5-7cm) behind diving planers or trolling sinkers at 5-7 knots. Multiple short-line spreads with 4-5m of 20-30lb fluorocarbon between planer and spoon are standard. Bird-rig add-ons increase strike rates. Target inlet mouths, beaches, and tide rips with bird workups.
Spinning
An accessible boat, pier, jetty, and beach fishery — sight-cast 20-50g slender metal jigs (Got-Cha plugs, Krocodiles, Hopkins) into surface bust-ups with fast continuous retrieves. PE1-2 setups with 30-40lb fluorocarbon leader; some anglers use a 30cm 30lb single-strand wire trace to reduce cutoffs. Cast ahead of moving schools.
Live Lining
Effective when schools concentrate but won't commit to lures. Free-line a live cigar minnow, threadfin herring, pilchard, or small mullet on a 1/0-3/0 non-offset circle hook with 30cm of 30lb single-strand wire or 60lb fluorocarbon leader. Keep baits in the upper 5m. Drift tide rips and inlet mouths.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
A productive light-tackle fly target on the US East Coast and Gulf when surface bust-ups push within reach of jetties, beaches, or skiffs. Cast sparse Clouser Minnows, surf candies, and anchovy patterns from a 8-10wt rod with floating or intermediate line. Fast erratic strips trigger committed strikes. 30cm of 30lb single-strand wire or 40-50lb fluorocarbon shock tippet handles teeth.
Spear Fishing
Inshore Spearfishing
Productive around inshore wrecks, jetties, piers, and nearshore reefs when schools push bait against structure. Active hunting — schools pass quickly, fast lead and decisive shots required. Best in clear water with 15m+ visibility during spring and summer migrations.
