How to catch Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Also known as Atlantic mackerel.
Atlantic mackerel are fast, schooling fish that flood inshore waters in summer, superb light-tackle sport and prime bait for bigger species.
🏆 World record: The IGFA maintains all-tackle world records for Atlantic mackerel and other true mackerel species. IGFA records can change over time, so see igfa.org for the relevant current mark. All records →
Where to find them
Nearshore and surface schools
Season
Summer
Best baits & lures for Mackerel
Drop or cast feathers and small metal into schools. When they are in, action is fast and steady.
Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish Mackerel when conditions line up.
Catch to table: Mackerel
Atlantic mackerel is a rich, oily fish that is excellent when very fresh, especially grilled or smoked. Keep legal fish and eat them promptly, as they spoil fast.
Taste: Rich, oily, and full-flavored with soft gray flesh that firms when cooked. Bold and satisfying, high in healthy oils.
Cleaning: Fillet and pin-bone; the flesh is soft and oily, so cook it soon after cleaning for the best flavor.
How to cook it
- • Grill or broil fillets with lemon and pepper.
- • Smoke and flake into a mackerel pate.
- • Pan-sear skin-on with a sharp mustard sauce.
Tip: Bleed and ice immediately and eat within a day; the oily flesh spoils quickly.
Ikejime this fish for firmer, cleaner-tasting fillets and longer shelf life.
Where to catch Mackerel
Book a Mackerel charter
Guides and charter boats that target Mackerel, by destination:
Catching Mackerel: FAQ
What's the best bait for Mackerel?
Proven options include strings of feathers, small metals, sabiki rigs. Drop or cast feathers and small metal into schools. When they are in, action is fast and steady.
When is the best time to catch Mackerel?
Summer. Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.
Where do you find Mackerel?
Look for Nearshore and surface schools. Anglers target them at spots like Cornwall, Gloucester, Kinsale.