Cero 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
Cero Mackerel
Spanish-mackerel twin with a bronze mid-body STRIPE plus spots above and below it; lateral line slopes gently.
Spanish Mackerel
Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king.
Spanish mackerel, next to cero mackerel: spots only — no stripe.
Side by side
| Cero Mackerel | Spanish Mackerel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Scomberomorus regalis | Scomberomorus maculatus |
| Also called | Painted mackerel | Spanish |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | 17.13 lb · Florida (1986) | 13 lb · North Carolina (1987) |
| On the table | Very good fresh — doesn't freeze well. | Very good fresh or smoked; oily, doesn't keep long. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 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 Florida (Atlantic), cero mackerel is No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per day and Spanish mackerel is 12 in fork length min, 15 per person. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Cero 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) | No size limit2 fish or 100 lb per dayOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 12 in fork length min15 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit2 fish or 100 lb per dayOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 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 | Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies. | 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, cero 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 cero mackerel from Spanish mackerel?
Cero Mackerel: Spanish-mackerel twin with a bronze mid-body STRIPE plus spots above and below it; lateral line slopes gently. Spanish Mackerel: Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king. Spanish mackerel, next to cero mackerel: spots only — no stripe.
Which gets bigger, cero mackerel or Spanish mackerel?
Cero Mackerel. The heaviest state record we hold is 17.13 lb in Florida; the heaviest Spanish mackerel record is 13 lb in North Carolina.
Which is better to eat, cero mackerel or Spanish mackerel?
Cero Mackerel: Very good fresh — doesn't freeze well. Spanish Mackerel: Very good fresh or smoked; oily, doesn't keep long.
Do cero mackerel and Spanish mackerel have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 14 state rulebooks. Florida (Atlantic): cero mackerel No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per day, Spanish mackerel 12 in fork length min, 15 per person; Florida (Gulf): cero mackerel No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per day, Spanish mackerel 12 in fork length min, 15 per person; Alabama: cero mackerel no rule of its own, Spanish mackerel No size limit, 15 per person; Delaware: cero mackerel no rule of its own, Spanish mackerel 14 in min, 15 per day; Georgia: cero mackerel no rule of its own, Spanish mackerel 12 in fork length, 15 per person per day; and more in the table on this page.