Species guide · New York

Spanish mackerel fishing in New York

Scomberomorus maculatus, a nearshore species also called spanish, spanish mack and spaniard. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region. Peak season, about 1 more week.

Season now

Peak season

Where it's scoring now All New York waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Mid-Atlantic

Peak season, about 1 more week

Jan: Not present
Feb: Not present
Mar: Not present
Apr: Not present
May: Off season
Jun: Shoulder season
Jul: Peak season
Aug: Peak season
Sep: Peak season
Oct: Shoulder season
Nov: Not present
Dec: Not present

Peak: Jul to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): Jun to Oct.

Research notes, Mid-Atlantic region

Arrive in the Chesapeake in late May and June; Maryland DNR lists peak catches August through October, first at the bay mouth and later in the middle bay. Occasional off New Jersey and New York in late summer.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 0

The Waterlands engine isn't scoring spanish mackerel in any New York bay system in the current 14-day forecast.

Not scored in this forecast: Long Island Sound West of New Haven CT/Port Jefferson NY, New York Harbor, Peconic and Gardiners Bays and South Shore Bays from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay.

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 68°F to 90°F, best between 72°F and 84°F.
Water depth: 5 to 50 ft of water.
Structure: Inlet, rip, pass, jetty, pier, beach and shoal, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers incoming tide and outgoing tide, with moderate current.Spanish feed where current pushes bait against structure or along tide rips at inlets and passes. Clean incoming water at an inlet is often best. Slack water scatters the schools.
Light: Bites best around dawn and dusk.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 18 kt of wind and 4 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Spanish mackerel school along beaches and around inlets, jetties, piers and bridge-tunnel structures, and along tide rips in 5 to 40 feet of water once the water climbs above about 68 degrees F. Troll small spoons or cast metal jigs and retrieve fast, or look for birds diving on bait and cast into the school. FWC calls for a 30 to 60 pound monofilament leader because their teeth cut light line.

Methods: trolling, casting to surface schools, pier fishing, live bait
Lures: small trolling spoon (Clark or Drone), Gotcha plug, metal jig, small bucktail or duster, planer and spoon
Bait: live glass minnows, pilchard, finger mullet, shrimp

Regulations

NYSDEC saltwater regulations Buy a New York fishing license License types

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Synced with NYSDEC Sep 17, 2026.

No reviewed spanish mackerel rule for New York is on file yet. Check with NYSDEC before you keep one.