Many people commented that I mistook the juvenile king mackerel I caught for Spanish mackerel after I posted a video of them. Contrary to what many people on the “internet” believe, I knew that the fish I caught were actually juvenile Kings and NOT Spanish mackerel.
Author: Landshark (Alumni)
Many people commented that I mistook the juvenile king mackerel I caught for Spanish mackerel after I posted a video of them. Contrary to what many people on the “internet” believe, I knew that the fish I caught were actually juvenile Kings and NOT Spanish mackerel.
The Video That Started It All
A Spanish mackerel and a young kingfish may appear VERY similar to unsuspecting fishermen, but there are some significant differences between the two. First of all, I have witnessed numerous inexperienced fishermen leave the pier with dozens of undersized king mackerel when they mistook them for Spanish mackerel and paid the price with a sizable fine from an FWC official. Second, as a Florida fisherman, you have no excuse for not learning about the species that inhabit our waters.
My girlfriend and I had caught all three species of mackerel found in Florida waters when we went offshore one day. Video below!.
This had given me the ideal chance to create a video showcasing the variations between these 3 mackerel. Video Found Below!.
Find Out Below How To Tell Between A Spanish, Cero, and King Mackerel
After having said all of that, allow me to begin some narrative that will aid you in differentiating between these three species.
Below From Left to Right (#1 King, #2 Cero and #3 Spanish)
The minimum size limit for these, the largest of the three species, is 24 inches to the fork tail, and the daily bag limit is two per person.
How To Be Sure You Have Caught A Kingfish
1) Juvenile Kings Can Have Spots: When you first catch a juvenile king, you will usually be able to see the faint gold spots that run along the middle of their body.
3) Examine The Kingfish’s Lateral Line: The lateral line of the kingfish has a noticeable dip right around the anal fin.
3. Examine the kingfish’s dorsal fin. Kingfish have a pale grey dorsal fin, whereas the jet black dorsals of spanish and cero mackerel.
Cero Mackerel
Regulations: I think the best tasting of the three, despite being the least popular This mackerel has no size limit or bag limit.
How To Be Sure You Have Caught A Cero Mackerel
1) The Lateral Line: With only a slight dip toward the anal fin, the Cero’s lateral line resembles that of the Spanish mackerel.
2) The Dorsal Fin: Its dorsal fin is jet black, resembling that of the Spanish mackerel.
3) The Coloration: Those prominent yellow bars running along its midline are the biggest giveaway to the Cero mackerel. Unlike the spots found on the Spanish and cero, this is a dead giveaway for this species.
Spanish Mackerel
Regulations: When you hear “mackerel” in Florida, you typically think of the Spanish mackerel. The Spanish have bag limits of 15 fish per person per day and a minimum size restriction of 12″ to the fork.
How To Be Sure You Have Caught A Spanish Mackerel
1) The Lateral Line: Towards the anal fin, the lateral line dips slightly.
2) The Color: The Spanish’s most infamous characteristic is the yellow spots that can be seen all over its body. Compared to king mackerel spots, these spots are paler in hue.
3. The Dorsal Fin: The Spanish shares the Cero Mackerel’s jet-black dorsal fin.
In conclusion, look for these three characteristics when attempting to identify your mackerel catch. The pronounced dip in the lateral line near the anal fin and the grayish-pale color of the dorsal fin are telltale signs that you are looking at a king mackerel. Look for the bright yellow spots on the Spanish and the bars on the Cero mackerel to tell them apart from one another.
Visit the links below to read some of my other how-to articles for the Bullbuster community.
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I discuss a recent trip to fish for snakeheads in freshwater in this article. My buddy tells a story that you need to hear!.
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FAQ
How big do Spanish mackerel have to be to keep in Texas?
While it can be simple to catch a lot of mackerel in a session, only take what will be consumed or used as bait. Mackerel are great to eat, but keep in mind that the minimum size to retain mackerel is 30 cm.
What size can you keep mackerel?
The minimum size requirement for Spanish mackerel is 12 inches from tip of nose to middle of fork in tail, and there is a daily limit of 15 fish per fisherman. The nearshore ocean, from just beyond the breakers to a few miles offshore, is where Spanish mackerel are primarily caught.
How big do Spanish mackerel have to be in NC?
They spawn in the shallow coastal waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico and off the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia from April to September. In batches, Spanish mackerel release their eggs during the spawning season.