Saltwater · Year-round in the Keys; best fall through spring over reef edges

Cero Mackerel

Scomberomorus regalis

The largest and best-eating of Florida's spotted Atlantic mackerels, and a top light-tackle and fly target in the Keys. It is split from Spanish mackerel by yellow spots plus a dark lateral stripe running the length of the side, and by the pattern of scales on the pectoral-fin base — check both before calling a fish a cero.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cero Mackerel — Photo: Andy Blackledge, CC BY 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Yellow-gold spots along the side PLUS a dark bronze lateral stripe running the full length of the body
Small scales cover the base of the pectoral fin, a different pattern from Spanish mackerel's largely scaleless pectoral base
Long, low body with a deeply forked tail and a pointed, toothed snout
Bluish-green back fading to a silvery belly, first dorsal fin pale at the front
Larger and more elongated than Spanish mackerel, without the king mackerel's steep lateral-line dip

Habits

Usually solitary or in very small groups, unlike the big schools of Spanish mackerel
Patrols reef edges and channels hunting shrimp, squid and small baitfish
Often feeds at the surface at dawn and dusk over shallow reefs
Strikes lures at speed and makes a fast first run on light tackle
Stays in clear, warm reef water and rarely mixes far inshore

Distribution

Tampa, FL · Florida★ Primary

Florida Keys, FL · Florida★ Primary

Daytona Beach, FL · FloridaCommon

Where to find them

Reef edges and channels throughout the Florida Keys
Atlantic reef lines off South Florida
Clear passes and patch-reef edges in the Keys in fall and winter

Where they live

Reef edges and drop-offs in clear waterChannels and passes through the Keys reefsOpen water over shallow reefs where bait gathers

How to catch them

Trolling spoons, feathers and ballyhoo over reef edges Boat

Rig: Light trolling outfit, small spoon, feather or rigged ballyhoo behind a light leader trolled along reef edges at 4-7 knots

Bait/lure: Spoons, feathers, ballyhoo

Key tip: Use a short trace of light wire — cero are toothy but shy of heavy wire in clear water.

Casting spoons and jigs to surface schools Boat

Rig: Light spinning or fly outfit, small spoon, jig or streamer cast to fish feeding at the surface over shallow reefs

Bait/lure: Spoons, jigs, streamer flies

Key tip: Cast ahead of moving fish and retrieve fast — a slow lure is inspected and refused.

Best baits & lures

Small silver spoons and casting jigsRigged ballyhoo trolled over reef edgesLive pilchards, shrimp and small feathers

Techniques for Cero Mackerel →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium-light 7 ft spinning or trolling rod
Line: 12-20 lb mono or braid
Terminal: Small spoons and feathers, short light wire trace, 2/0-4/0 hooks

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

9' 5-weight fly rod outfit

≈ US$180-260

Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.

Flies · Budget

Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)

≈ US$25-40

Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 18-26 in (46-66 cm), 2-5 lb (0.9-2.3 kg); large fish to about 34 in (86 cm) and 10 lb (4.5 kg)

On the table

Excellent — widely rated the best eating of the Atlantic mackerels, with white, mild flesh.

Similar species

Spanish MackerelSpanish mackerel has yellow spots but NO dark lateral stripe and a largely scaleless pectoral-fin base; cero has spots plus the full-length bronze stripe and scales on the pectoral base

King MackerelKing mackerel has a sharp dip in the lateral line under the second dorsal fin and unspotted adults; cero keeps a straight lateral stripe with spots and no steep dip

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

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