Spanish Mackerel, Scomberomorous maculatus

The Spanish mackerel is one of only a few species which serve a dual role, both as highly sought after light tackle game fish, and as extremely effective baitfish. Migratory by nature, Spanish mackerel swim in enormous schools, thus anglers may encounter huge numbers one day and find the same area completely devoid of life the next. Fishermen of all skill levels catch this species from the surf, off piers, and from boats anywhere inside of Florida’s many passes, to a mile or two offshore of the Atlantic coast and up to five miles off the Gulf coast. For use as a baitfish, Spanish mackerel, both rigged and unrigged, can be purchased from select big-game natural bait retailers.

A beautifully colored, silvery fish with slender, speedy physiques, Spanish mackerel feature yellow to olive colored round or elliptical spots traversing the length of their bodies. Vicious predators, Spanish mackerel are armed with a single row of large, cutting edged teeth closely spaced and flattened from side to side. As with their close cousins the king mackerel and cero mackerel, Spanish mackerel teeth appear somewhat similar to those of the voracious bluefish.

Spanish mackerel are opportunistic carnivores. Their main forage consists primarily of small fish such as anchovies, menhaden, and herring, with shrimp and squid filling in the gaps. For an unknown reason, the percentage of anchovies consumed is much higher for juveniles than for adults.

“Spanish”, or “macks”, as they are simply referred to, are often easily found over grass beds and reefs from 20 to 40 feet, though occasionally they will wander out as deep as 80 feet. The species forms immense, fast-moving schools that are distributed from Rhode Island to the Yucatan Peninsula depending on water temperature, with 68°F being the preferred minimum and 72 to 82 degrees ideal. In late summer and early fall, they move slowly southward to spend the winter along Florida's southern coast. Surprisingly, Spanish mackerel do not appear to move freely around the Florida Keys. This creates two separate bodies of fish, one in the Gulf and the other off the southeastern states.

With rising water temperatures beginning in late February, the Atlantic group migrates northward along the eastern seaboard of the United States from southeast Florida, reaching as far as Narraganset Bay, then returning south during the fall. The Gulf population moves northward from the Florida Keys during late winter and early spring, and appears off the central West Coast of Florida by April. Movement continues northward and terminates along the Texas coast. During fall, the Gulf body of fish migrates back to their wintering grounds in the Keys and Florida Bay.

Spanish mackerel average less than three pounds, are fast growing, and may attain a length of fifteen inches and maturity by their first birthday. Females, which may live as long as eleven years and grow to over 30 inches in length, live longer and grow larger than males. Males reach age six and only 20 inches, though in Florida the average Spanish mackerel rarely makes it past age five.

The main source of Spanish mackerel marketed as baitfish is Mexico, followed closely by the eastern United States. They are primarily caught with gillnets, though in some regions, commercial gear may include hook and line, beach seines, and trap nets.

Though Spanish mackerel are prized as delicate table fare and for their sporting nature, as a hearty meal for big, hungry game fish, they are impossible to beat. There is no question more blue marlin have fallen victim to trolled Spanish macks than any other natural offering. Professional crews around the globe wouldn’t dream of targeting these mighty billfish without at least a pair rigged “macks” in the spread.

Locally, broadbill swordfish, and a wide array of sharks, including mako, will rarely pass up an opportunity to indulge on a tasty Spanish mackerel. One trick that has proven its worthiness is pre-rigging a Spanish mackerel with a menhaden oil soaked sponge sewed into its gut prior to freezing. As the bait drifts and thaws, an inviting slick is emitted which helps attract attention from great distances.  

You may be surprised to find that rigged Spanish mackerel are also credited for enticing a large percentage of tournament winning king mackerel. When slow trolled off downriggers, smoker kings can’t resist tearing into their smaller cousins. With the baits rigged on wire, many prized wahoo have also fallen victim to this very same tactic.   

Get a close-up look at rigging Spanish mackerel for blue marlin in the feature article on EXPLOSIVE BILLFISHING