King Mackerel
Cavala is a fixture of Brazil's coastal fishery, running the northeastern seaboard and reaching as far south as São Paulo. Commercially important in the Northeast, it's also a genuine sport fish — fast, toothy, and willing to eat a trolled lure or live bait.
Prices at Brazilian fish markets stay low because stocks remain healthy, which means anglers and buyers alike have easy access to one of the Atlantic's most capable pelagic predators.
Scientific Name: Scomberomorus cavalla
Also known as Cavala, Cavalla, Kingfish
- Iridescent bluish-green or iron-gray back fading to bright silver on the sides and belly; pale to dusky fins with no bold markings on adults.
- The lateral line is the key ID feature: it dips sharply downward at mid-body, distinguishing cavala from the similar Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus), whose lateral line runs nearly straight.
- Juveniles under about 5 kg carry yellowish-brown spots on the flanks that can cause confusion with Spanish mackerel; spots disappear as the fish matures.
- Common fish run 5–14 kg; the species can exceed 45 kg and reach nearly 1.8 m — females grow considerably larger than males.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the western Atlantic; in Brazil the species ranges along the entire northeastern coast and south to São Paulo state, where it becomes less common.
- Commercially most significant in northeastern Brazil, where it is a staple of artisanal and commercial fisheries along states such as Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, and Pernambuco.
- A pelagic, open-water species that moves through nearshore and offshore zones, typically from the surface down to about 15 m, though it can be found to 140 m.
- Strongly tied to warm tropical and subtropical water; it rarely ventures into cooler conditions and its southern Brazilian presence thins accordingly.
Key Locations
- Northeastern Brazil — states of Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, and Pernambuco — where cavala is commercially most important and consistently available inshore.
- The species ranges south along the coast to São Paulo state, though it becomes less frequent in the cooler waters of the Southeast.
- St. Paul's Rocks (Penedos de São Pedro e São Paulo), the remote Atlantic archipelago belonging to Brazil, sits within the species' documented range.
Specific Spots
- Concentrate around baitfish schools near the surface — when you see birds working or bait showering, cavala are usually underneath pushing them up.
- Reef edges, underwater structure, and current lines offshore concentrate the smaller fish and squid that cavala chase; work the up-current side of any structure.
- In northeastern Brazil, the fish are often found close to shore over shallow reef systems, making them accessible from small boats and even from headlands during peak runs.
King Mackerel FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for King Mackerel?
Trolled swimming plugs and spoons in silver or blue-and-silver are the standard approach, keep speeds brisk (around 6–9 knots) to trigger reaction strikes from fish following the lure.
When is the best time to fish for King Mackerel?
Most consistently available along the northeastern coast during the warmer months when water temperatures peak and baitfish concentrations are highest.
How do you catch King Mackerel?
In northeastern Brazil, anglers and commercial fishers target cavala by trolling lures or live bait along the coast and over reef systems from small to mid-sized boats. Casting metal jigs or plugs into surface-feeding schools is also common when fish are visibly working bait near shore.
What do King Mackerel eat?
Feeds heavily on smaller migratory fish, sardines, herrings, and other schooling baitfish, as well as squid and shrimp. Match this with trolled or cast swimming plugs, spoons, or jigs in the 10–20 cm range that imitate a fleeing baitfish.
Where do King Mackerel live?
Native to the western Atlantic; in Brazil the species ranges along the entire northeastern coast and south to São Paulo state, where it becomes less common.
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