Printable View
Was just checking out the okaloosa island pier fb page and there are numerous references to northern mackerel. I'm assuming they're referring to Atlantic macs, but not sure. I don't know of any other mackerel besides kings, cerro, Spanish and Atlantic.
I've caught them off of the OIP and I think you're right with the identification. They pull really hard and they'll hit anything flashy. I caught them on gotchas. The ones I've caught have all been about 3 lbs. OIP is the only place I've caught them.
They are Atlantic Bonita (true bonita, NOT little tunny)!
Very tasty, as others noted, OIP is the only place i have ever caught them.
I used to have a pic showing the difference, will have to dig it up.
Found the image:
Attachment 7170
Atlantic macs (scomber scombrus) that I catch in Maine are tasty little things that are very rarely more than a pound. I've only ever caught one that was more than 2 lbs. Most people I know use them for striper bait or for baiting lobster pots. 12-18" generally, with an iridescent blue back with black wormy stripes shading down to a silvery white belly.Quote:
Originally Posted by eym_sirius
Ah- bonito. Thanks for clearing that up. Different names for different fish depending on where you are regionally.
We got into a school of them out near the 3 mile barge (out of Perdido Pass) a couple of years ago, but that's the only time I've caught them around here, otherwise, as you say, OIP.
Caught some there a couple weeks ago , they were fun
In years past I've caught them in Panama City, fairly regularly actually.
That's right - we've had this conversation before. True bonito! Hard-pulling little rascals!Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlF
Atlantic Macs are a cool/cold water species, it would be pretty wild for them to show up this far south.
