Mackerel are the high-speed pursuit hunters of the open ocean. Whether it is the King Mackerel or the Spanish Mackerel, these fish are built for velocity, featuring streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies and powerful, deeply forked tails.
While they look similar, they are distinct in size and markings. Spanish Mackerel are smaller and covered in golden-yellow spots. King Mackerel (or "Smokers") grow much larger and are famous for their blistering runs that can pull hundreds of yards of line off a reel in seconds.
Mackerel are aggressive predators with razor-sharp teeth. They often hunt in large schools, "skyrocketing" out of the water as they strike baitfish from below. Anglers often look for diving birds and "boiling" water to find where these silver streaks are feeding.
These fish are highly migratory, following baitfish along the coast as water temperatures change. Their arrival in the spring and fall marks some of the most exciting action for pier and boat fishermen, as they are known to strike almost any fast-moving lure.