12" FL.
Recreational Size and Bag Limits – October
| Finfish Species | NC Coastal Waters | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Length | Bag Limits (per person) | |
| Dolphin (B) | None | 10/Day |
| King Mackerel (H) | 24″ FL | 3/Day |
| Spanish Mackerel (H) | 12″ FL | 15/Day |
How big does a Spanish mackerel have to be to keep?
12 inches fork
Minimum Size Limit
12 inches fork length except a vessel fishing under a quota for Spanish mackerel may possess no more than 5%, by weight, of undersized Spanish mackerel.
What size mackerel can you keep?
Mackerel are great to eat but remember that the minimum size to retain mackerel is 30cm, and while it can be easy to catch many mackerel in a session only take what will be eaten or used as bait.
What size is a citation Spanish mackerel?
Minimum Citation Weights and Lengths
| SPECIES | Rel. Cit.** | 20 lb. |
|---|---|---|
| LADYFISH | 10″ | 1 |
| MACKEREL, KING | 30″ | 14 |
| MACKEREL, OTHERS | 24″ | 4 |
| MACKEREL, SPANISH | 12″ | 2 |
How do you catch Spanish mackerel in NC?
The most popular way to catch Spanish Mackerel is by trolling. In our area, people either use number-one or number-two diving planers, trailed by a small gold or silver spoon 15 to 20 feet back on a 30 pound test leader. It’s important to use a swivel behind the planer, to prevent line twist.
What bait do you use for Spanish mackerel?
Spanish mackerel will eat just about anything including sardines, mullet, cut bait, squid, and shrimp. They prefer quickly moving bait, but when they’re feeding they are not particularly picky. Seasoned anglers will always keep shiny spoons and other heavy metal lures on hand.
Is Spanish mackerel fish good eating?
Spanish mackerel, an especially good eating finfish, produces an attractive plate-size cutlet or an essentially boneless fillet. Mackerel can be fried, baked, poached, grilled, marinated, smoked and barbecued—it is considered by some to be the best barbecue fish in the South Pacific and Asia.
What weight should I use for mackerel fishing?
You’ll be surprised how well a single mackerel will fight and you can get the most fun by going really light with your gear. Use a 7-28 g rated lure rod and a small fixed spool with 8 lb or 10 lb braid. Make sure you set your clutch as the fish will take line during the fight.
What month is best for mackerel fishing?
May-June is the best time to catch mackerel, although they are caught all summer in numbers and larger specimens are sometimes caught in winter.
Are the mackerel in yet 2022?
The 2022 Mackerel Hook & Line fishery is to open by Fisheries Management Notice for all eligible vessels under 15 metres in length overall on 1st May 2022.
How do you measure a Spanish mackerel?
Total Length is measured from the most forward point of the head, with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.
What is the difference between mackerel and Spanish mackerel?
Both are long, slender fish with a forked tail and bronze-colored spots on the body. But the Spanish mackerel features a black spot on the first dorsal fin that the king mackerel lacks. Also, the king mackerel has a pronounced dip in the lateral line below the second dorsal fin.
What does Spanish mackerel taste like?
The meat has a firm texture that flakes off into small chunks when cooked, but it has a very mild flavor with a slight tone of acidity and oil.
How much is a Spanish mackerel worth?
Fresh Whole Spanish Mackerel $17.80kg – Seafood Warehouse.
How far offshore is Spanish mackerel?
approx. 65 miles
Where to Find Spanish Mackerel. Though adults primarily inhabit offshore waters as far as the continental shelf (approx. 65 miles from shore), you’ll find plenty of both adults and juveniles inshore during the season. They like the high salinity (amount of salt in the water) of the summer months.
What tide is best for Spanish mackerel?
While on shallow sandy bottomed ledges like the Catwalk at 1770 the bigger mackerel seem to come closer to the shore on the high tide. In areas with massive 7m tidal variations like Darwin Harbour the Spaniards are a lot more prolific during neap tides as the water gets extremely silty during the massive spring tides.
What size hooks for Spanish mackerel?
If you are targeting the smaller mackerel species like Spanish Mackerel or Cero Mackerel, then you can use a 1/0 or 2/0 circle hook. Both of these mackerel species will readily eat live bait, dead bait and lures.
What size lures for Spanish mackerel?
Light lures, light line, and light tackle are the requirements for casting lures to Spanish mackerel. Start with a ½ to one-inch lure weighing less than an ounce. Spanish mackerel have excellent eyesight, so a 20 to 40-pound fluorocarbon leader is a prerequisite.
How fast do you troll for Spanish mackerel?
between five and seven knots
Trolling speed for Spanish mackerel is between five and seven knots. At this speed the 15-pound leader is going to twist no matter how many ball bearing swivels you use. Having one in the mix will slow down the inevitable, but it won’t stop the twisting.
Which is the tastiest mackerel?
Spanish Mackerels have darker meat and are one of the tastiest of the Mackerel family. Spanish Mackerels are also one of the richest sources for Omega-3 fatty acids.
How often can you eat Spanish mackerel?
May boost heart health.
The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fatty fish like mackerel per week.