Congratulations to Fischer “Fish” Carr – newest winner of Photo of the Week! Here is his 6.5lb Spanish Mackerel caught while tarpon fishing with his dad Glenn Carr and the crew on the Jaybird this past summer.

The Mackerel family is sometimes a hard one to identify.  Cero Mack and juvenile King Macks often are mistaken for Spanish Mackerel.

Here is how to tell them apart (main difference – black dorsal fin)

Appearance:

• Color of back green, shading to silver on sides with golden yellow irregular spots found above and below the lateral line
• Front of dorsal fin is black
• Lateral line curves gently to base of tail

Habitat:

Spanish mackerel are prevalent throughout Florida waters: inshore, offshore and nearshore.  They are frequently found over grass beds and reefs.  These mackerel are absent from north Florida waters in winter.

Behavior:

Spanish mackerel are a schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F.  They spawns offshore from spring through summer and feeds on small fish and squid.