Mackerel (Scombridae)
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
About the spanish mackerel
Spanish mackerel are fast, flashy, and fun. These silver speedsters cruise past piers in schools during warm months, slashing through baitfish with razor-sharp teeth. They're one of the most exciting fish to catch on light tackle from a pier and make excellent eating when prepared fresh.
- offshore
- pelagic
- schooling
- summer fish
- fast
Where to find them
Piers that report spanish mackerel
Season, bait and average size as reported for each pier.
Pier 14
Peak season- Months
- Apr–Oct
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 12–20 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs (SC state)
Fast-moving schools pass the pier in spring and fall. Cast metal spoons for best results.
Surfside Pier
Peak season- Months
- Apr–Oct
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 12–20 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs (SC state)
Fast-moving schools pass the pier in spring and fall. Cast metal spoons for best results.
Cherry Grove Pier
Peak season- Months
- Apr–Oct
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 12–20 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs (SC state)
Fast-moving schools pass the pier in spring and fall. Cast metal spoons for best results.
Apache Pier
Peak season- Months
- Apr–Oct
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 12–20 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs (SC state)
Fast-moving schools pass the pier in spring and fall. Cast metal spoons for best results.
Second Avenue Pier
Peak season- Months
- Apr–Oct
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 12–20 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs (SC state)
Fast-moving schools pass the pier in spring and fall. Cast metal spoons for best results.
Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
Peak season- Months
- Apr–Oct
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 12–20 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs (SC state)
Fast-moving schools pass the pier in spring and fall. Cast metal spoons for best results.
Garden City Pier
Peak season- Months
- Apr–Oct
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 12–20 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs (SC state)
Fast-moving schools pass the pier in spring and fall. Cast metal spoons for best results.
Springmaid Pier
Peak season- Months
- Apr–Oct
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 12–20 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs (SC state)
Fast-moving schools pass the pier in spring and fall. Cast metal spoons for best results.
Juno Beach Pier
Biting- Months
- Year-round
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 14–22 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs
Present year-round in South Florida. Fast retrieve with silver spoons works best.
South Carolina rules
Keeping spanish mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
saltwater- Minimum size
- 12"
- Maximum size
- None
- Daily bag limit
- 15
- Closed season
- None
FL
Must land with head and fins intact
Summarized from SCDNR. Limits change — confirm before you keep a fish at the SCDNR source.