M, S - December 17, 2020

MACKEREL, SPOTTED

Scientific Name:

Scomberomorus munroi

Fish Group:

Mackerel

Salt/Fresh:

Salt

Also Known As:

Spotted Mackerel; Munro's Spanish Mackerel; Australian Spanish Mackerel; Japanese Spanish Mackerel; MACKEREL, SPOTTED

Rating:

Countries:

Australia

Description:

Spotted Mackerel is a popular Mackerel species of Australia

How To Identify:

Spotted Mackerel, like all Mackerel, have an elongated body with pointed noses and mouth full of very sharp teeth. They have a light silvery grey body, that is bluey green above the lateral line. They are often confused with the Queensland School Mackerel, however can be distinguished by the blotches on the School Mackerel are poorly defined and less than the spotted Mackerel, also the first dorsal fin of the School Mackerel is jet black with a large contrasting white section between the sixth and seventh spine which the spotted Mackerel does not have. Spotted Mackerel can grow to about a meter and around 8 kgs in weight however common in the 1.5-4kg range.

How To Catch:

All Mackerel are great fun to catch and are excellent for the table, especially when fresh and when caught they are quickly bleed and put on a slurry of ice (which is really good for all fish that you are keeping to eat). Mackerel readily take trolled lures of minnow, feather jigs, metal lures and skirted lures. Live baits are another excellent way to catch all Mackerel. Mackerel can be come a common catch when reef fishing by 'floating' an unweighted pilchard or live bait out the back of the boat while bottom bouncing. Spotted Mackerel prefer slightly smaller bait than say the Spaniard Mackerel and trolling half pilchards or other small fish can be very productive. They can also sometimes be seen schooling under diving birds where casting small metal lures retrieved quite quickly can be productive

Where Found:

The Spotted Mackerel is common along the Queensland coast however also found sometimes in northern New South Wales and across the top of Australia right around to Northern Western Australia. Spotted Mackerel prefer inshore waters within a kilometer or so from shore around reef or rock areas. They also venture into bays and estuaries.

MACKEREL, SPOTTED

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