Spanish mackerel live throughout the Indo-West Pacific region, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical waters. In Western Australia, they’re found from Cape Leeuwin northwards to the Northern Territory border. They are offshore, pelagic (surface-dwelling) fish and live around offshore and coastal reefs.
Where are mackerel caught in Australia?
In Australia, blue mackerel are found mainly in southern, temperate and subtropical waters between southern Queensland and Western Australia. Blue mackerel are also found throughout the Pacific Ocean, Northern Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
Where is Spanish mackerel found?
Where They Live. Spanish mackerel is found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico.
What do Australians call Spanish mackerel?
Your Spanish mackerel becomes the kingfish in Africa and the Aussie kingfish is known as the yellow tail in California, while the kingfish in Mauritius is apparently the giant trevally, which, by the way, is Karembisi in Swahili (Kenya).
Can you catch Spanish mackerel in NSW?
Available wild-caught, it is a marine fish found in open waters and near reefs and islands around most of Australia except the southern coast from Esperance (WA) to Geelong (VIC). It’s the most popular commercial Mackerel in Australia and is mostly caught off Queensland, the NT and WA, with some from northern NSW.
Can you catch Spanish mackerel in Perth?
They will show up in shallow water around Perth and have been caught from shore at the moles and in Cockburn Sound. They have been seen free-jumping off Dunsborough in recent weeks as well.
What depth do you catch Spanish mackerel?
I find that Spanish mackerel prefer depths of around 30 metres, although I have caught them in depths as shallow as 9 metres and as deep as 60. If you can find drop offs, or structure in 20-30 metres to 30-40 metres, it will pay to target these areas if there are no bait schools around.
Can you catch Spanish mackerel in Queensland?
Although it is an important recreational fish in Queensland and New South Wales, the majority of the commercial catch of this stock is taken from north Queensland, off the coast of Townsville. Biological monitoring of Spanish mackerel in Queensland commenced in 1999.
Can you buy mackerel in Australia?
They are available year round, with supplies of Spanish Mackerel peaking in September and October. Eastern Aust. (QLD, NSW) & Northern Aust.
How much is a Spanish mackerel worth?
Fresh Whole Spanish Mackerel $17.80kg – Seafood Warehouse.
What fish is similar to Spanish mackerel?
Substitute For Mackerel
- Herring makes a good substitute for mackerel. It can be grilled, fried, or even pickled.
- OR – You can use American shad which are best poached or smoked.
- OR – Use bluefish if you can find it.
- OR – Alternately use another oily fish such as swordfish or tuna.
Are Spanish mackerel good to eat?
They are rarely seen on the menu in restaurants on the Outer Banks, but Spanish mackerel are wonderful to eat. Mackerels are also one of the richest sources for Omega-3 fatty acids. These are the polyunsaturated fatty acids with huge health benefits. They are easily filleted and lend themselves to many cooking methods.
Can you still catch Spanish mackerel?
Fishers are also reporting that Spanish mackerel are as easy to catch as ever, and the same number of fish are still being landed.
What is the best bait for Spanish mackerel?
Bait & Lures
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.
What is the best month to catch mackerel?
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 Spanish mackerel hard to catch?
Spanish are typically very easy to catch when they are around, they fight hard, they taste great and they are easy to clean. So, Spanish mackerel are an ideal game fish for recreational anglers.
What Tackle do I need for mackerel fishing?
There is no need for finesse or complicated rigs when fishing for mackerel. Nor is there any need for any specific rods and reels. For the best sport, choose a light spinning rod or lure rod and match it up with a small fixed spool reel. Use 15 lb monofilament line or better still 15 lb braid.
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 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.
How do you attract mackerel?
A small shiny lure such as a spoon, spinner or baitfish imitation, and float fishing with small strips of bait, are successful mackerel tactics. But a string of feathers or small lures beats all methods.
How many Spanish mackerel can you keep in Queensland?
On 1 July 2023, the recreational possession limit will change to one fish per person, or two fish per boat with two or more recreational fishers on board (the boat limit will not apply to licensed charter fishing trips).