Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
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 Virginia: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
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 Virginia?
14 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many Spanish mackerel can you keep in Virginia?
15 per person.
When is Spanish mackerel season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
What is the Virginia record Spanish mackerel?
10 lb 7 oz, Off Smith Point (2022).
How current is this Virginia Spanish mackerel rule?
Source: VMRC 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.
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