Atlantic Spanish Mackerel

Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles

Family Scombridae

Territory: INSHORE, NEAR SHORE and OFFSHORE, especially over reefs; absent from north Florida waters in winter.

Size: average catch less than 2 pounds (20 inches).

*Florida Record: 12 lbs.

Remarks: schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F; spawns OFFSHORE, spring through summer; feeds on small fish and squid.