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Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish mackerel are a migratory species found in Texas coastal waters from the Louisiana border to the Rio Grande.

These are pelagic schooling fish that often feed aggressively on the surface, trapping bait fish and creating visible feeding frenzies that attract diving birds.

Scientific Name: Scomberomorus maculatus

Physical Characteristics:

These sleek, torpedo-shaped fish have distinctive silvery sides marked with three rows of round to elliptical yellow spots, a green back, and a prominent black patch on the front third of their first dorsal fin.

They grow up to 37 inches and can weigh up to 14 pounds, though most Texas catches are 2-3 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

Found in Texas coastal waters from the Louisiana border to the Rio Grande. They prefer clear, shallow waters between 10-40 feet deep over sand bottoms, rarely venturing into low-salinity areas.

Key Locations

Target them in nearshore Gulf waters, passes, inlets, jetties, and around barrier islands along the Texas coast including Galveston, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi, Port O'Connor, and South Padre Island.

Specific Spots

Clear, shallow waters between 10-40 feet deep over sand bottoms. Target breaking fish feeding on the surface.

Spanish Mackerel FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Spanish Mackerel in Texas?

Flashy spoons like Kastmaster, Johnson Sprite, or Clark spoons in silver. Gotcha plugs in chrome with red or green heads. Small diamond jigs and bubble rigs. Rapala X-Rap plugs in white (Ghost).

When is the best time to fish for Spanish Mackerel in Texas?

Spanish mackerel fishing in Texas is excellent from March through October, with summer months being peak season. They show up when water temperatures reach 65-70°F and are in full swing around 72°F.

How do you catch Spanish Mackerel in Texas?

Use flashy spoons retrieved fast and erratically. Trolling is highly effective at 5-7 knots using spoons behind planers or inline sinkers, or shallow-diving plugs. Rapala X-Rap plugs work well with hard twitches followed by pauses.

What do Spanish Mackerel eat?

Spanish mackerel are aggressive carnivores that feed primarily on small schooling fish including glass minnows, anchovies, menhaden, sardines, thread herring, and alewives, with lesser amounts of shrimp and squid.

Where do Spanish Mackerel live in Texas?

Found in Texas coastal waters from the Louisiana border to the Rio Grande. They prefer clear, shallow waters between 10-40 feet deep over sand bottoms, rarely venturing into low-salinity areas.

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