Alabama state waters, out to 3 miles
AL MRD 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
The water you are in decides. the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council writes the rule past the line.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Often mistaken for
King mackerelLateral line drops sharply mid-body; spots fade with size. Tell them apart
False albacoreWavy worm-lines on the back, no spots. Tell them apartNot listed by Alabama: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Alabama state record
Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king. More on the Spanish mackerel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Spanish mackerel in other states14 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Spanish mackerel in Alabama?
No size limit.
How many Spanish mackerel can you keep in Alabama?
15 per person.
When is Spanish mackerel season in Alabama?
Open year-round.
What is the Alabama record Spanish mackerel?
8 lb 12 oz (1993).
How current is this Alabama Spanish mackerel rule?
Source: AL MRD 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at a Spanish mackerel in Alabama and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the app