The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Cero Mackerel Scomberomorus regalis
Cero Mackerel Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 18–30 in, 3–8 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 3 ft and 17 lb |
| Range | Western Atlantic — south Florida, the Bahamas, and throughout the Antilles and the Caribbean; it rarely strays far north of south Florida. |
| Habitat | Clear water over coral reefs and hard structure, usually inside 100 ft and often just off the beach. |
| Diet | Small schooling reef baitfish — ballyhoo, herring and silversides — plus squid. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Cero Mackerel
- Bronze-to-yellow stripe running along the midbody from pectoral fin to tail
- Rows of yellow-bronze spots ABOVE and BELOW that stripe
- Black patch on the front of the first dorsal fin
- Slender mackerel body with a row of finlets and a deeply forked tail
- Lateral line curving gently down — no sharp drop
Tell it apart: The bronze midbody stripe with rows of spots above and below it is unique to cero; king mackerel adults are plain-sided and their lateral line drops sharply under the second dorsal.
Easily confused with: King Mackerel
Side by side: Cero Mackerel vs King Mackerel
How to Catch Cero Mackerel
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- The Caribbean's own mackerel, thickest in the cooler months over clear-water reef; cast or slow-troll a small silver spoon or a live ballyhoo just off the reef edge on a short wire trace.GearCasting spoonsWire stinger rigsLight trolling combo
When & Where Cero Mackerel Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands Nearshore |
Cero Mackerel Regulations
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA/DNER), Office of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Licences and PermitsU.S. Virgin IslandsVirgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), Division of Fish and WildlifeCaribbean Fishery Management CouncilCFMCNOAA Fisheries Southeast Region — current U.S. Caribbean regulationsNOAA Fisheries
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.