Cero MackerelorKing 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
Cero Mackerel
Spanish-mackerel twin with a bronze mid-body STRIPE plus spots above and below it; lateral line slopes gently.
King Mackerel
Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots.
King mackerel, next to cero mackerel: lateral line takes a sharp drop; no gold markings when grown.
Side by side
| Cero Mackerel | King Mackerel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Scomberomorus regalis | Scomberomorus cavalla |
| Also called | Painted mackerel | King, Kingfish, Smoker |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | 17.13 lb · Florida (1986) | 90 lb · Florida (1976) |
| On the table | Very good fresh — doesn't freeze well. | Good smoked; big kings carry elevated mercury. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 states | 12 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 12 of 12 states with a rule for either. In Florida (Atlantic), cero mackerel is No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per day and king mackerel is 24 in fork length min, 2 per person. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Cero Mackerel: size · bag · season | King Mackerel: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 24 in fork length minimum3 per personOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit2 fish or 100 lb per dayOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 24 in fork length min2 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit2 fish or 100 lb per dayOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 24 in fork length min3 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Georgia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 24 in fork length3 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked |
| Louisiana | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 24 in fork length3 per personOpen year-roundOpenLDWF 2026 · checked |
| Mississippi | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 24 in fork length minimum3 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 23 in min3Open year-roundOpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 23"3Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 24" FL min3 per person per dayYear-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked |
| South Carolina | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 24 in fork length3/dayOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked |
| Texas | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 27 in total length3Open year-roundOpenTPWD 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 27 in min3 per personOpen year-roundOpenVMRC 2026 · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, cero mackerel or king mackerel, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell cero mackerel from king mackerel?
Cero Mackerel: Spanish-mackerel twin with a bronze mid-body STRIPE plus spots above and below it; lateral line slopes gently. King Mackerel: Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots. King mackerel, next to cero mackerel: lateral line takes a sharp drop; no gold markings when grown.
Which gets bigger, cero mackerel or king mackerel?
King Mackerel. The heaviest state record we hold is 90 lb in Florida; the heaviest cero mackerel record is 17.13 lb in Florida.
Which is better to eat, cero mackerel or king mackerel?
Cero Mackerel: Very good fresh — doesn't freeze well. King Mackerel: Good smoked; big kings carry elevated mercury.
Do cero mackerel and king mackerel have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 12 state rulebooks. Florida (Atlantic): cero mackerel No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per day, king mackerel 24 in fork length min, 2 per person; Florida (Gulf): cero mackerel No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per day, king mackerel 24 in fork length min, 3 per person; Alabama: cero mackerel no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length minimum, 3 per person; Georgia: cero mackerel no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length, 3 per person per day; Louisiana: cero mackerel no rule of its own, king mackerel 24 in fork length, 3 per person; and more in the table on this page.