Atlantic Chub MackerelorSpanish Mackerel
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Small mackerel with wavy lines on the back AND dusky spotting below the midline; big eye.
Spanish Mackerel
Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king.
Spanish mackerel, next to Atlantic chub mackerel: gold spots, larger.
Side by side
| Atlantic Chub Mackerel | Spanish Mackerel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Scomber colias | Scomberomorus maculatus |
| Also called | Chub | Spanish |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | 2 lb 5.28 oz · Connecticut (2021) | 13 lb · North Carolina (1987) |
| On the table | Rich and dark — grill or smoke it fresh. | Very good fresh or smoked; oily, doesn't keep long. |
| Rules of its own in | 1 states | 14 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 14 of 14 states with a rule for either. In North Carolina, Atlantic chub mackerel is No size limit, No bag limit and Spanish mackerel is 12" FL min, 15 per person per day. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Atlantic Chub Mackerel: size · bag · season | Spanish Mackerel: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | No size limit15 per personOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · checked |
| Delaware | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in min15 per dayOpen year-roundOpenDE DNREC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Atlantic) | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in fork length min15 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in fork length min15 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Georgia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in fork length15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked |
| Louisiana | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in fork length15 per personOpen year-roundOpenLDWF 2026 · checked |
| Maryland | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in min15Open year-roundOpenMD DNR 2026 · checked |
| Mississippi | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in fork length minimum15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in min10Open year-roundOpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14"15Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | No size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · likely · checked | 12" FL min15 per person per dayYear-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked |
| South Carolina | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 12 in fork length15/dayOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked |
| Texas | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in total length15Open year-roundOpenTPWD 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 14 in min15 per personOpen year-roundOpenVMRC 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, Atlantic chub mackerel or Spanish mackerel, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell Atlantic chub mackerel from Spanish mackerel?
Atlantic Chub Mackerel: Small mackerel with wavy lines on the back AND dusky spotting below the midline; big eye. Spanish Mackerel: Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king. Spanish mackerel, next to Atlantic chub mackerel: gold spots, larger.
Which gets bigger, Atlantic chub mackerel or Spanish mackerel?
Spanish Mackerel. The heaviest state record we hold is 13 lb in North Carolina; the heaviest Atlantic chub mackerel record is 2 lb 5.28 oz in Connecticut.
Which is better to eat, Atlantic chub mackerel or Spanish mackerel?
Atlantic Chub Mackerel: Rich and dark — grill or smoke it fresh. Spanish Mackerel: Very good fresh or smoked; oily, doesn't keep long.
Do Atlantic chub mackerel and Spanish mackerel have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 14 state rulebooks. North Carolina: Atlantic chub mackerel No size limit, No bag limit, Spanish mackerel 12" FL min, 15 per person per day; Alabama: Atlantic chub mackerel no rule of its own, Spanish mackerel No size limit, 15 per person; Delaware: Atlantic chub mackerel no rule of its own, Spanish mackerel 14 in min, 15 per day; Florida (Atlantic): Atlantic chub mackerel no rule of its own, Spanish mackerel 12 in fork length min, 15 per person; Florida (Gulf): Atlantic chub mackerel no rule of its own, Spanish mackerel 12 in fork length min, 15 per person; and more in the table on this page.