Species
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus · family Scombridae
Live · updated
Fast-running summer migrant. Runs the lower Chesapeake and VA Atlantic coast in schools from late June through September. Targeted by casting small metal jigs (Kastmaster, Hopkins) into busting fish, or trolling #1-#2 Clark spoons behind planers at 6-8 knots. Wire leaders not required — just use long-shank hooks and fluorocarbon.
Preferred conditions
- Water temp
- 65–82°F (ideal 74°F)
- Tide
- incoming
- Moon
- either
- Depth
- 5–40 ft
- Active months
- Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Best spanish mackerel conditions today
Kiptopeke State Park
Cape Charles Town Pier
Rudee Inlet — Virginia Beach
No locations match that filter.
Regulations by jurisdiction
Virginia (tidal — VMRC)
Stale: last verified 51 days ago.
tidal bay
- Min size
- 14"
- Creel
- 15
Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay and tributaries): 14-inch minimum fork length, 15 per day. No closed season; Spanish mackerel are a summer-only fishery in practice. VMRC regulation 4VAC20-540.
Source · verified 2026-04-22
Stale: last verified 51 days ago.
atlantic
- Min size
- 14"
- Creel
- 15
Virginia Atlantic coast: 14-inch minimum fork length, 15 per day. Same VMRC regulation as tidal Bay. Summer fishery — fish present roughly mid-June through September.
Source · verified 2026-04-22