Spanish mackerel
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Hints,Tips and How To's
Forum Description: Rigs, tackle, baits, angling techniques, tips and hints & your DIY projects here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=138914
Printed Date: 29 Jan 2026 at 11:14am
Topic: Spanish mackerel
Posted By: Ad Astra
Subject: Spanish mackerel
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2024 at 3:33pm
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Are these fish present in Hawkes Bay? If so where eg depth, bottom structure etc and how to catch them?
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Replies:
Posted By: Fish Addict
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2024 at 3:42pm
| If you come across a spanish mackerel in Hawkes Bay or in NZ waters for that matter, it's lost. |
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2024 at 5:55pm
No.
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Ad Astra wrote:Posted By: Alan L
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2024 at 6:08am
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You will be the first to catch one. Not sure I have heard of them in NZ waters. Wahoo, yes - sometimes. Alan ------------- Legasea Legend member |
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2024 at 12:10pm
| I didn't want to say never for NZ as a whole. I could imagine someone catching one in the Far North, Three Kings or Kermadecs in high summer, but haven't heard of anyone doing so. |
Posted By: lawabidingpoacher
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2024 at 7:24pm
| I'm about 99% certain I've read and seen reports of Spanish macs caught in the waters off the top of NZ. . Positive I have.....just can't remember exactly where I've seen this ...was some years ago |
Posted By: Fish Addict
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2024 at 7:42pm
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A similar thread here. Some may find it interesting. https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/mackerel-besides-jap_topic115929_page1.html" rel="nofollow - Mackerel besides Jap - The Fishing Website : Discussion Forums - Page 1 |
Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2024 at 8:53pm
I'd love it to be true, but haven't seen or read anything convincing and I read most fishing-related things (I have a boring job!).
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Posted By: lawabidingpoacher
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2024 at 9:29pm
| Im sure . Was back in the 90's ? earlyish.. |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2024 at 10:46pm
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Re-reading that post confirms what I was going to say, ive known slimy/english/blue mackerel to have been called for spanish mackerel before. Also from that thread is a mention of frigate tuna. Never seen one but it sounds like they cause a bit of confusion also ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2024 at 10:48pm
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Just to add to that, big slimy mackerel tend to be caught in spring & early summer up these ways, at least that's when I've caught them, They will easily reach 2kg.
------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Ad Astra
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2024 at 6:01am
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A belated thanks for info on the Spanish Mackerel. However, I made an error. What I meant to ask was, are there any "Jack' Mackerel in the Hawkes Bay? Why I said Spanish, I have no idea
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Posted By: Alan L
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2024 at 3:37pm
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I think they are here (HB). They look a bit familiar. I may have caught the odd one and thought it was a Koheru. Ceratinly they (Koheru) are around and I wonder how many Jack Macs I called Koheru. Alan ------------- Legasea Legend member |
Posted By: Alan L
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 2:06pm
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So I am not sure what to call this guy. Mackeral, Koheru? (Same family) I call it bait. If it is a Mackeral, it was caught today - sth of Waimarama. Alan  ------------- Legasea Legend member |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 9:20pm
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It's a mackerel not a koheru. Either a yellow tail or Jack mackerel. It could well be a Chilean or Peruvian mackerel but I don't know how to tell them apart if they are even a different species. We get those big horses out west in summertime. Great eating raw or smoked, great bait. ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Keith C
Date Posted: 25 Dec 2024 at 12:22pm
Here is a decent Jack Mac caught in the Port at New Plymouth earlier this year.
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Posted By: Fish Addict
Date Posted: 25 Dec 2024 at 1:32pm
| Keith C - holy dooley, I didn't know they grew to that size. |