King 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
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 Spanish mackerel: lateral line drops sharply mid-body; spots fade with size.
Spanish Mackerel
Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king.
Spanish mackerel, next to king mackerel: lateral line slopes gently, keeps its spots.
Side by side
| King Mackerel | Spanish Mackerel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Scomberomorus cavalla | Scomberomorus maculatus |
| Also called | King, Kingfish, Smoker | Spanish |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | 90 lb · Florida (1976) | 13 lb · North Carolina (1987) |
| On the table | Good smoked; big kings carry elevated mercury. | Very good fresh or smoked; oily, doesn't keep long. |
| Rules of its own in | 12 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 Alabama, king mackerel is 24 in fork length minimum, 3 per person and Spanish mackerel is No size limit, 15 per person. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | King Mackerel: size · bag · season | Spanish Mackerel: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 24 in fork length minimum3 per personOpen year-roundOpenAL MRD 2026 · checked | 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) | 24 in fork length min2 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 12 in fork length min15 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | 24 in fork length min3 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked | 12 in fork length min15 per personOpen year-roundOpenFWC 2026 · checked |
| Georgia | 24 in fork length3 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | 12 in fork length15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked |
| Louisiana | 24 in fork length3 per personOpen year-roundOpenLDWF 2026 · checked | 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 | 24 in fork length minimum3 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked | 12 in fork length minimum15 per person per dayOpen year-roundOpenMS DMR 2026 · checked |
| New Jersey | 23 in min3Open year-roundOpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked | 14 in min10Open year-roundOpenNJ DEP 2026 · checked |
| New York | 23"3Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked | 14"15Open year-roundOpenNY DEC 2026 · checked |
| North Carolina | 24" FL min3 per person per dayYear-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked | 12" FL min15 per person per dayYear-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked |
| South Carolina | 24 in fork length3/dayOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked | 12 in fork length15/dayOpen year-roundOpenSC DNR 2026 · checked |
| Texas | 27 in total length3Open year-roundOpenTPWD 2026 · checked | 14 in total length15Open year-roundOpenTPWD 2026 · checked |
| Virginia | 27 in min3 per personOpen year-roundOpenVMRC 2026 · checked | 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, king 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 king mackerel from Spanish mackerel?
King Mackerel: Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots. Spanish Mackerel: Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king. Spanish mackerel, next to king mackerel: lateral line slopes gently, keeps its spots. King mackerel, next to Spanish mackerel: lateral line drops sharply mid-body; spots fade with size.
Which gets bigger, king mackerel or Spanish mackerel?
King Mackerel. The heaviest state record we hold is 90 lb in Florida; the heaviest Spanish mackerel record is 13 lb in North Carolina.
Which is better to eat, king mackerel or Spanish mackerel?
King Mackerel: Good smoked; big kings carry elevated mercury. Spanish Mackerel: Very good fresh or smoked; oily, doesn't keep long.
Do king mackerel and Spanish mackerel have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 14 state rulebooks. Alabama: king mackerel 24 in fork length minimum, 3 per person, Spanish mackerel No size limit, 15 per person; Florida (Atlantic): king mackerel 24 in fork length min, 2 per person, Spanish mackerel 12 in fork length min, 15 per person; Florida (Gulf): king mackerel 24 in fork length min, 3 per person, Spanish mackerel 12 in fork length min, 15 per person; Georgia: king mackerel 24 in fork length, 3 per person per day, Spanish mackerel 12 in fork length, 15 per person per day; Louisiana: king mackerel 24 in fork length, 3 per person, Spanish mackerel 12 in fork length, 15 per person; and more in the table on this page.