Cero Mackerel
Cero Mackerel: Scomberomorous regalis
Appearance:
- Color of back iridescent bluish green
- Sides silvery with yellow spots forming lines above and below a bronze stripe from pectoral fin to base of tail
- Front of the first dorsal fin is bluish black
- Lateral line curves gradually to base of caudal fin
Habitat:
Cero mackerel are nearshore and offshore fish occurring mainly in south Florida. The are frequently found over coral reefs and wrecks.
Behavior:
Unlike other mackerels, cero mackerels do not stray far from south Florida waters. They spawn offhshore in midsummer and feed on small fish and squid.
State Record:
17 lb 2 oz, caught near Islamorada
Fishing Tips and Facts:
Ceros are very much like the Spanish cousins, and range around the same size and fighting. They're also found as open water predators like Spanish or Kingfish. We don't catch them outside our Central Coast bays, but they're often taken on the East Coast, and they're regulars in the Keys where Captain Greg Poland manages our Florida Keys edition of our magazine. They're great spoon eaters, and great fish for beginners and serious amateurs alike. We've caught the heck out of them on a charter boat fishing in Mexico's Pacific coast.
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles
