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Sea fish

Atlantic mackerel

Scomber scombrus

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

Other names: Adi uskumru

Open fishing grounds on the map Bait and tackle
Atlantic mackerel
Hans Hillewaert (Wikimedia Commons) · source
Habitat
Migratory open water
Method
Trolling · Spinning · Sabiki
Family
Scombridae

Choose your region

The information changes with the region you choose.

Where is Atlantic mackerel caught?

Explore the regions or go straight to the map.

South West coast fishing spots

268
South West coast
Map preview

Explore the coast on the map

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A listed spot is not a guarantee of a catch.

South West coast

Season and suitable conditions

Check the season information for the region you chose.

Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

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. 62 Jan
  2. 62 Feb
  3. 62 Mar
  4. 61 Apr
  5. 14 May
  6. 13 Jun
  7. 0 Jul
  8. 0 Aug
  9. 12 Sep
  10. 13 Oct
  11. 53 Nov
  12. 60 Dec

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

  1. İskele Burhaniye, Balıkesir 51/100 Good
  2. Behram İskelesi Ayvacık, Çanakkale 51/100 Good
  3. Aliaport Aliağa, İzmir 51/100 Good
  4. Sultaniçe Sahili Enez, Edirne 48/100 Good
  5. D-Marin Didim The Blue Point Beach Club Didim, Aydın 46/100 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
  • Poor at night

In October

  1. Dawn Best 80

    0.5 h before sunrise → 2 h after

  2. Midday 60

    1.5 h before midday → 1.5 h after

  3. Dusk 80

    2 h before sunset → 0.5 h after

Not productive at night

Moon phase

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

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

Best phase: No clear effect

Windows across 12 months

Best times of day J F M A M J J A S O N D
Dawn 60 60 80 80 80 85 85 85 80 80 80 60
Midday 70 70 60 60 60 45 45 45 60 60 60 70
Dusk 55 55 85 85 85 95 95 95 80 80 80 55
Night 15 15 15

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.

5 sources · confidence medium

Habitat

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

Depth

0–1,000 m

mostly 0–200 m

Water temperature

-0.4–23.4 °C

ideal 9–14 °C

Salinity

Full-strength seawater

8–39.3 ‰

Shore types

  • Rocky shore
  • Breakwater / jetty
  • Pier / quay
  • Headland
  • Shingle shore
  • 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: Anchovy · 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: Blue-green back, Silver, White
Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
Lure First natural bait: Anchovy · 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: Silver, White, Blue-green back, Pink
Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
Lure First natural bait: Anchovy · Very suitable Usually in this water: Cut oily fish (sardine/mackerel) with chum; under a float or at mid-depth. First lure: Spinner · Very suitable Usually in this water: Spinner, paddle-tail shad, metal jig one size up; vibration first. Colour: White, Fluorescent, Gold
Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Anchovy · Suitable Usually in this water: Oily fish fillet, bloody chunks; chum for a scent trail; fish slower. First lure: Spinner · Suitable Usually in this water: If you must, a rattling vibe/lipless; near the bottom, slow. Colour: Fluorescent, Dark silhouette
Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
Natural bait First natural bait: Anchovy · Suitable Usually in this water: A large, bloody chunk of oily fish; refresh the bait often. Catches usually drop. First lure: Spinner · Weak Colour: Colour does not matter
12-month bait calendar
January
Natural baits: Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel, Razor clam Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner, Metal jig
February
Natural baits: Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel, Razor clam Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner, Metal jig
March
Natural baits: Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel, Razor clam Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner
April
Natural baits: Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel, Razor clam Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner
May
Natural baits: Chub mackerel, Anchovy, Mackerel, Sardine Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner
June
Natural baits: Chub mackerel, Anchovy, Mackerel, Sardine Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner
July
Natural baits: Chub mackerel, Anchovy, Mackerel, Sardine Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner, Metal jig
August
Natural baits: Chub mackerel, Anchovy, Mackerel, Sardine Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner
September
Natural baits: Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel, Razor clam Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner
October
Natural baits: Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel, Razor clam Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner
November
Natural baits: Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel, Razor clam Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner
December
Natural baits: Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel, Razor clam Lures: Sabiki rig, Spoon, Spinner

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 medium, lures high. Colour and presentation guide

Natural baits

Fishing technique

Tackle recipe

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

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

  • Rod

  • Reel

  • Line and leader

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.

See tackle suggestions

Fishing rules for Türkiye

Türkiye

Minimum size
20 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

MVT0037

2024/21 Çizelge 7

No additional species note; the general provisions of 2024/21 apply No species-based time closure is stated; the area and method provisions are reserved

The table in our records

Minimum size
20 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 mackerel
Scientific name
Scomber scombrus
Family
Scombridae
Order
Scombriformes
Water type
Saltwater
Seas
Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean
Other names
Uskumru, Adi uskumru

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, 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, Adriatic — Croatia, Mediterranean — France, Atlantic — France, Channel & North Sea — France, North East coast — England, East coast — England, South East coast — England, South coast — England, South West coast — England, North West coast — England, North Sea — Germany, North Sea — Netherlands, North Sea — Belgium.

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; Sardinian Sea — Italy February, March, April, October, November; Ligurian Sea — Italy February, March, April, May, 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; Adriatic — Croatia April, May, June, September, October; Atlantic — France May–August; Mediterranean — France May–August; Channel & North Sea — France May–August; North Sea — Germany June–September; North East coast — England June–September; East coast — England June–September; South East coast — England June–September; South coast — England June–September; South West coast — England June–September; North West coast — England June–September; North Sea — Netherlands July–September; North Sea — Belgium July–September.

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.

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