The author's Kingfish, one of the largest Mackerels, caught in Dry Tortugas, Florida
Mackerels
Scombridae Family
Scomberomorus Genus
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Other Species
Mackerel Description
Mackerel is a word used to describe a wide variety of fish, but for the purposes of this page I will focus on members of the Scombridae family within the genus Scomberomorus which includes Kingfish, Pacific Sierra, Cero Mackerel, Atlantic Spanish Mackerel, and related species. The Mackerels are in the same family as the Tunas and very closely related to the Wahoo, and are similarly streamlined and built for speed.
Mackerels tend to have sharp teeth so you need to use wire leaders for most species. Some of them, such as the Kingfish and the Narrow Barred Mackerel will make spectacular leaps when chasing their prey. A large Mackerel that I hooked off a reef in New Caledonia jumped 10 feet straight in the air after it grabbed my popper. I was setting the hook downwards while it was 10 feet in the air. What a sight; pity his tail somehow sliced through my leader right at the boat.
Mackerels will often nip and slash at bait. They have excellent eyesight and will often miss the hooks. When hooked most Mackerels make blazing runs across the surface. They don't tend to cut you off on structure, but they do make headshakes that can make it difficult to keep them hooked. Some of them will make spectacular leaps.
Mackerels feed primarily on other fish, and the larger species will sometimes prey on the smaller ones. They will also feed on squid when they are around. Most of them are quite good eating.
Mackerel Techniques
Mackerel tend to be caught in the upper half of the water column, both with bait and lures. Check out the specific species pages below for specifics:
Kingfish
Pacific Sierra Mackerel
Cero Mackerel
Click here for a video of a fishing trip to the Dry Tortugas islands with some good mackerel footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooAw5UByeIM
If you are in Florida this guy can put you on some nice Kingfish: www.anotherkeeper.com
These guys can too:
www.majesticseascharters.com
Down Under, these guys can put you on some Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel, one of the largest species of Mackerel: www.nomadsportfishing.com.au
Scombridae Family
Scomberomorus Genus
HOME
Other Species
Mackerel Description
Mackerel is a word used to describe a wide variety of fish, but for the purposes of this page I will focus on members of the Scombridae family within the genus Scomberomorus which includes Kingfish, Pacific Sierra, Cero Mackerel, Atlantic Spanish Mackerel, and related species. The Mackerels are in the same family as the Tunas and very closely related to the Wahoo, and are similarly streamlined and built for speed.
Mackerels tend to have sharp teeth so you need to use wire leaders for most species. Some of them, such as the Kingfish and the Narrow Barred Mackerel will make spectacular leaps when chasing their prey. A large Mackerel that I hooked off a reef in New Caledonia jumped 10 feet straight in the air after it grabbed my popper. I was setting the hook downwards while it was 10 feet in the air. What a sight; pity his tail somehow sliced through my leader right at the boat.
Mackerels will often nip and slash at bait. They have excellent eyesight and will often miss the hooks. When hooked most Mackerels make blazing runs across the surface. They don't tend to cut you off on structure, but they do make headshakes that can make it difficult to keep them hooked. Some of them will make spectacular leaps.
Mackerels feed primarily on other fish, and the larger species will sometimes prey on the smaller ones. They will also feed on squid when they are around. Most of them are quite good eating.
Mackerel Techniques
Mackerel tend to be caught in the upper half of the water column, both with bait and lures. Check out the specific species pages below for specifics:
Kingfish
Pacific Sierra Mackerel
Cero Mackerel
Click here for a video of a fishing trip to the Dry Tortugas islands with some good mackerel footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooAw5UByeIM
If you are in Florida this guy can put you on some nice Kingfish: www.anotherkeeper.com
These guys can too:
www.majesticseascharters.com
Down Under, these guys can put you on some Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel, one of the largest species of Mackerel: www.nomadsportfishing.com.au
Kingfish caught in Dry Tortugas, Florida on a live (briefly) pinfish.
