Where is Atlantic mackerel caught?

Atlantic mackerel

Scomber scombrus

Uskumru

Adi uskumru

Peak this month Minimum size 20 cm

Family

Scombridae

Order

Scombriformes

Habitat

migratory open water

Seas

Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean

Bait

anchovy, sardine · spoon, minnow, sabiki

Technique

trolling, spinning, sabiki

Legal status

Türkiye

Minimum size: 20 cm
Maximum quantity: 5 kg

Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7 communiqué text

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

Where is Atlantic mackerel caught?

Peak months by sea.

Black Sea

peak this month

Natural bait: European anchovy, European sardine; regional support: European anchovy / European sprat
Lure: spoon, minnow, sabiki
Technique: Sabiki Rig

Sea of Marmara

peak this month

Natural bait: European anchovy, European sardine; regional support: European anchovy / Atlantic horse mackerel / shrimp
Lure: spoon, minnow, sabiki
Technique: trolling, spin, sabiki

Aegean Sea

peak this month

Natural bait: European anchovy, European sardine; regional support: European sardine / mamun / sülünez
Lure: spoon, minnow, sabiki
Technique: trolling, spin, sabiki

Mediterranean

Bait and technique

Habitat

migratory open water

Fishing technique

trolling, spinning, sabiki

Natural baits

anchovy, sardine

Lures

spoon, minnow, sabiki

Tackle recipe

A setup to start from. Rod length, line diameter and drag are changed to suit the size of fish you are after and the current and bottom structure of the ground.

Sabiki Rig

Sabiki / multi-hook rig

A multi-hook feathered rig for shoaling fish

Level: Beginner
Effort: Low–Moderate

Rod: 2.40–3.60 m; 20–80 g
Reel: 3000–5000
Main line: 0.22–0.35 mm mono or PE 0.8–1.5
Leader/trace: Ready-made trace 0.18–0.30 mm
Hook/lure: Max 15 hooks
Bait/lure: Soft plastic sabiki
Connector: Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain
Rod: 2.40–3.60 m; 20–80 g
Reel: 3000–5000
Main line: 0.22–0.35 mm mono or PE 0.8–1.5
Leader/trace: Ready-made trace 0.18–0.30 mm
Hook/lure: Max 15 hooks
Bait/lure: YEM0034
Connector: Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain

Watch out: Multiple-hook injury

Keep with you: Pliers, hook remover, glasses and first aid

Regulations: Communiqué 2024/21 Article 16 hook and line limits and place bans are checked

Shore Jigging

Shore jigging

Searching far and deep water with metal jigs

Level: Intermediate–Advanced
Effort: High

Watch out: Heavy lures, fatigue, cliff and wave risk

Regulations: Güncel Yunanistan ve AB mevzuatı kontrol edilir

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for Atlantic mackerel?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Atlantic mackerel is 20 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

When is Atlantic mackerel closed to fishing?

There is no closed season specific to Atlantic 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: 20 cm. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

Which seas is Atlantic mackerel found in?

In our records Atlantic 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, Northeast Atlantic — United States, Mid-Atlantic — United States, Ligurian Sea — Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy, Adriatic — Italy, Ionian Sea — Italy, Strait of Sicily — Italy, Sardinian Sea — Italy, Atlantic Ocean — Spain, Cantabrian Sea — Spain, Gulf of Cádiz — Spain.

In which months is Atlantic mackerel at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: Sea of Marmara September–January; Aegean Sea September–January; 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; Mid-Atlantic — United States May–October; Northeast Atlantic — United States May–October; Ligurian Sea — Italy February, March, April, May, October, November; Sardinian Sea — Italy February, March, April, October, November; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy February, March, April, October, November; Adriatic — Italy February, March, April, May, October, November; Strait of Sicily — Italy February, March, April, October, November; Ionian Sea — Italy February, March, April, October, November; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain February, March, April, May, October, November; Cantabrian Sea — Spain January, February, March, April, September, October; Atlantic Ocean — Spain January, February, March, April, September, October.

Which bait is Atlantic mackerel caught with?

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