Mackerel identification

Fish identification images for Mackerel fish caught around the UK coast line

Mackerel are beautiful fish and here is an image of a Mackerel fish to help you identifier a Mackerel when you catch one

Mackerel

The Atlantic Mackerel is by far the commonest of the ten species of the family that is caught in British waters. It is extremely common in huge shoals migrating towards the coast to feed on small fish and prawns during the summer.

Common features of mackerels are a slim, cylindrical shape (as opposed to the tunas which are deeper bodied) and numerous finlets on the dorsal and ventral sides behind the dorsal and anal fins .

Mackerel can swim in massive shoals , and hit the UK waters during the spring and stay till the autumn.

Catching mackerel can be done in many forms as they will attack anything. But the common way is to feather for them ( a string of hooks ) . Although spinning for mackerel on light carp gear can be fantastic fun during the summer months.

Although they turn up in massive numbers please just take what you need as there is nothing worse than seeing mackerel left on the beach to rot. If you are keeping them then simply break there necks as its unfair to leave them flapping in a bucket to die.

Mackerel UK record

Boat caught Mackerel 6lb 2oz
Shore caught Bass 5lb 11oz

PLEASE - only take what you are going to eat and return under size fish . Bass are having a very hard time and if we as anglers do not guard against irresponsible kills then there will be no bass to catch