Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus)

Atlantic horse mackerel

Trachurus trachurus

Also known as: Scad

Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus)
Photo: jujurenoult · CC BY 4.0

Usual size

15–30 cm

Maximum

50 cm

Where

Harbours and breakwaters · Rock

When

Rough abundance from shore in each sea

Galicia and Cantabrian Sea

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Gulf of Cádiz

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Mediterranean and Balearics

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Canary Islands

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Summer and autumn in harbours and harbour mouths, especially at dusk and at night near lights.

Natural baits

  • Sardine strips
  • Ragworm
  • Squid

Lures

  • Sabiki rigs
  • Small spoons
  • Micro-jigs

How to recognise it

Lateral line covered in bony scutes (hard scales) from head to tail.

Tip

It moves in shoals: a sabiki and a little sardine groundbait can bring several in a row.

Minimum size and rules by area

Galicia

Min. 15 cm

Asturias

Min. 15 cm

Cantabria

Min. 15 cm

Basque Country

Min. 15 cm

Atlantic Andalusia

Min. 15 cm

Mediterranean Andalusia

Min. 15 cm

Ceuta

Min. 15 cm

Melilla

Min. 15 cm

Murcia

Min. 15 cm

Valencia region

Min. 15 cm

Catalonia

Min. 20 cm

Balearic Islands

Min. 15 cm

Canary Islands

Min. 12 cm

Fish are measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail; squid and cuttlefish by the mantle. If it is undersized, release it alive.

Official sources →