Skip to content
Piscatorium
Sign in

Sea fish

Atlantic chub mackerel

Scomber colias

Get to know the species, pick your region, find your spot.

Other names: Kolyoz uskumru

Open fishing grounds on the map Bait and tackle
Atlantic chub mackerel
(c) Lucy Keith-Diagne, some rights reserved (CC BY) · source
Habitat
Open water
Method
Trolling · Spinning
Family
Scombridae

Choose your region

The information changes with the region you choose.

Where is Atlantic chub mackerel caught?

Explore the regions or go straight to the map.

Central & South Aegean fishing spots

179
Central & South Aegean
Map preview

Explore the coast on the map

Open map

A listed spot is not a guarantee of a catch.

Central & South Aegean

Season and suitable conditions

Check the season information for the region you chose.

Peak months: Apr, May, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Season information is no guarantee of a catch.

Best spots in October

By month

Average monthly score of the spots in Turkey (0–100).

  1. 56 Jan
  2. 38 Feb
  3. 0 Mar
  4. 0 Apr
  5. 39 May
  6. 47 Jun
  7. 65 Jul
  8. 68 Aug
  9. 77 Sep
  10. 78 Oct
  11. 68 Nov
  12. 66 Dec

The best spot in each Turkish province, by this month’s score.

  1. Akbük Koyu Sahili Didim, Aydın 93/100 Very good
  2. Pelitköy Bağlarburnu Sahili Burhaniye, Balıkesir 93/100 Very good
  3. Behram İskelesi Ayvacık, Çanakkale 93/100 Very good
  4. Sultaniçe Sahili Enez, Edirne 93/100 Very good
  5. Aliaport Aliağa, İzmir 93/100 Very good

A 0–100 score from season, water temperature, habitat and local records; a general trend, not a guarantee.

Best times of day

When in the day it bites best, month by month.

  • Active by day
  • Limited at night

In October

  1. Dawn Best 95

    0.5 h before sunrise → 2.5 h after

  2. Midday 55

    1 h before midday → 1.5 h after

  3. Dusk 85

    2 h before sunset → 0.5 h after

  4. Night 25

    1 h after sunset → 2 h before sunrise

Moon phase

Effect of the moon on night fishing; the scores compare the phases.

  1. New moon 55
  2. First quarter 50
  3. Full moon 40
  4. Last quarter 50

Best phase: New moon

Windows across 12 months

Best times of day J F M A M J J A S O N D
Dawn 65 65 75 75 75 95 95 95 95 95 95 65
Midday 75 75 60 60 60 30 30 30 55 55 55 75
Dusk 60 60 75 75 75 90 90 90 85 85 85 60
Night 15 15 15 30 30 30 25 25 25

Windows follow sunrise and sunset; clock times change with place and date. Scores are relative within the month: 100 is the best window of the day.

4 sources · confidence medium

Habitat

Where it lives and in what kind of water: ranges compiled by the research.

Depth

0–300 m

mostly 50–200 m

Water temperature

8.4–30.7 °C

ideal 15.8–26.5 °C

Salinity

Full-strength seawater

18–39.5 ‰

Shore types

  • Rocky shore
  • Breakwater / jetty
  • Pier / quay
  • Headland
  • Promenade / seafront
  • Channel / strait link
  • Inside harbours
  • Cliff / steep shore
  • Harbour mouth
  • Strait shore
  • Reclaimed shore

Bottom

Lives in open water

Ranges from FishBase, AquaMaps and the literature; a general tendency, not a hard limit.

Confidence: shore type medium, temperature medium

Bait and tackle suggestions

Recorded baits and fishing techniques.

Bait by month

Baits documented for shore fishing, month by month and by water clarity.

In October

Natural baits

Lures

By water clarity

Pelagic sight hunter — Chases baitfish shoals by sight. Lures shine in clear water; in murky water its hunting range shrinks.

Clear Visibility: over 8 m
Lure First natural bait: Squid · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live baitfish or a whole fresh fish; thin fluorocarbon leader, no float or a light one. First lure: Sabiki rig · Very suitable Usually in this water: Hard minnow/stickbait, slim metal jig; fast, erratic retrieve. Colour: Silver, Blue-green back, White
Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
Lure First natural bait: Squid · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live or fresh whole fish; normal size. First lure: Sabiki rig · Very suitable Usually in this water: Spoon, metal jig, popper/topwater; medium-fast retrieve. Colour: White, Silver, Blue-green back
Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
Lure First natural bait: Shrimp · Very suitable Usually in this water: Cut oily fish (sardine/mackerel) with chum; under a float or at mid-depth. First lure: Spoon · Very suitable Usually in this water: Spinner, paddle-tail shad, metal jig one size up; vibration first. Colour: White, Silver
Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: Oily fish fillet, bloody chunks; chum for a scent trail; fish slower. First lure: Spoon · Suitable Usually in this water: If you must, a rattling vibe/lipless; near the bottom, slow. Colour: White
Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: A large, bloody chunk of oily fish; refresh the bait often. Catches usually drop. First lure: Spoon · Not recommended Colour: Colour does not matter
12-month bait calendar
January
Natural baits: Sardine, Anchovy, Shrimp, Mackerel Lures: Sabiki rig, LRF micro soft plastic, Metal jig
February
Natural baits: Sardine, Anchovy, Shrimp, Mackerel Lures: Sabiki rig, LRF micro soft plastic, Metal jig
March
Out of season
April
Out of season
May
Natural baits: Sardine, Shrimp, Mackerel, Squid Lures: Sabiki rig, Metal jig, LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon
June
Natural baits: Sardine, Shrimp, Mackerel, Squid Lures: Sabiki rig, Metal jig, LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon
July
Natural baits: Sardine, Shrimp, Mackerel, Squid Lures: Sabiki rig, Metal jig, LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon
August
Natural baits: Sardine, Shrimp, Mackerel, Squid Lures: Sabiki rig, Metal jig, LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon
September
Natural baits: Sardine, Shrimp, Mackerel, Squid Lures: Sabiki rig, Metal jig, LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon
October
Natural baits: Sardine, Shrimp, Mackerel, Squid Lures: Sabiki rig, Metal jig, LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon
November
Natural baits: Sardine, Anchovy, Shrimp, Mackerel Lures: Sabiki rig, Metal jig, LRF micro soft plastic, Spoon
December
Natural baits: Sardine, Anchovy, Shrimp, Mackerel Lures: Sabiki rig, LRF micro soft plastic, Metal jig

This is the usual pattern; the water and weather on the day can change it. Colour is fine-tuning: bait type, size and action come first. Confidence: natural high, lures high. Colour and presentation guide

Natural baits

Fishing technique

Fishing rules for Türkiye

Türkiye

Minimum size
18 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg

Single-species or mixed total; details and exceptions are in the regulation.

No species-specific closed season is listed; area and method rules still apply.

Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7 communiqué text

MVT0020

2024/21 Çizelge 7

The scientific name as given in the regulation; current taxonomy is checked separately No species-based time closure is stated; the area and method provisions are reserved

The table in our records

Minimum size
18 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Fishing rules for Greece

Greece

Minimum size
18 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg

Closed season: Tür/alan/dönem için daha sıkı kural olabilir

Legal basis: EU 2019/1241 Ek IX + Yunan ulusal mevzuatı communiqué text

Species size/quantity limit

EU 2019/1241 Ek IX + Yunan ulusal mevzuatı

AB asgari boy + Yunan Sahil Güvenliği genel günlük miktar çerçevesi; resmî güncel metin kontrol edilir

The table in our records

Minimum size
18 cm
Maximum quantity
5 kg
Closed season
Tür/alan/dönem için daha sıkı kural olabilir

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Before you go, check local area and method restrictions.

Species profile

Atlantic chub mackerel
Scientific name
Scomber colias
Family
Scombridae
Order
Scombriformes
Water type
Saltwater
Seas
Mediterranean, Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Black Sea
Other names
Kolyoz, Kolyoz uskumru

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for Atlantic chub mackerel?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Atlantic chub mackerel is 18 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

When is Atlantic chub mackerel closed to fishing?

There is no closed season specific to Atlantic chub mackerel — the regulations set no time ban for this species. Area and gear rules still apply. The limit that applies all year is the minimum size: 18 cm. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

Which seas is Atlantic chub mackerel found in?

In our records Atlantic chub mackerel appears in these seas: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, North Aegean & Thrace — Greece, Central & South Aegean — Greece, Ionian Sea — Greece, Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece, Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus, Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus, Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus, Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus, Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus, Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus, Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus, Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus, Ligurian Sea — Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy, Adriatic — Italy, Ionian Sea — Italy, Strait of Sicily — Italy, Sardinian Sea — Italy, Atlantic Ocean — Spain, Mediterranean — Spain, Cantabrian Sea — Spain, Balearic Sea — Spain, Alboran Sea — Spain, Gulf of Cádiz — Spain, Strait of Gibraltar — Spain, Adriatic — Croatia.

In which months is Atlantic chub mackerel at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: Mediterranean April–September; Aegean Sea May–October; Sea of Marmara May–October; North Aegean & Thrace — Greece April, May, August, September, October, November; Central & South Aegean — Greece April, May, August, September, October, November; Ionian Sea — Greece April, May, August, September, October, November; Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece April–November; Black Sea all year; Sardinian Sea — Italy March, April, May, September, October, November; Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus all year; Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus all year; Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus all year; Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus all year; Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus all year; Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Ligurian Sea — Italy March, April, May, September, October, November; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy March, April, May, September, October, November; Strait of Sicily — Italy March, April, May, September, October, November; Adriatic — Italy March, April, May, September, October, November; Ionian Sea — Italy March, April, May, September, October, November; Mediterranean — Spain March, April, May, September, October, November; Alboran Sea — Spain March, April, May, September, October, November; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain March, April, May, September, October, November; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain March, April, May, September, October, November; Cantabrian Sea — Spain February, March, April, August, September, October; Atlantic Ocean — Spain April, May, June, October, November, December; Balearic Sea — Spain March, April, May, September, October, November; Adriatic — Croatia May–October.

Which bait is Atlantic chub mackerel caught with?

Baits and lures on record: European sardine, European anchovy, European squid, shrimp, spoon, minnow, sabiki, mamun, sülünez, Atlantic horse mackerel.

Similar species

Pick your spot, check the conditions, then head out.

Open fishing grounds on the map
Open fishing grounds on the map · 891 fishing grounds

Pisca AI

Members only

Ask about this species

Atlantic chub mackerel · Scomber colias

Works with Piscatorium data: spot scores, seasonal species and tackle recipes. Type your question and the chat opens in the side panel.

What can you ask?

Weigh the answers together with their sources.

Ask Pisca AI

Pro membership

PRO MEMBERSHIP