Fish

Atlantic horse mackerel (scad)

Jurel (chicharro)

Trachurus trachurus

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

8–14 in.

Depth

Surface to 600 ft.

Best time

Dusk and night under lights.

Found in

10 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A silver-green jack with big eyes, a dark spot on the edge of the gill cover, and a row of large bony scutes (plates) along the whole lateral line, which dips down sharply under the second dorsal fin.
Typical size: 8–14 in.
Maximum size: About 2 ft and up to about 4 lb.
Diet: Small fish, krill and shrimp.
Behavior: Big schools roam the coast and come under harbor lights at night. A favorite live bait for bigger fish.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from United Kingdom & Ireland, France, Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), Italy & Malta, Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea & Caspian, Northern & Central Europe, Scandinavia & Iceland (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) and Morocco & West Africa. Coastal and shelf waters from Norway to South Africa, through the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea.
Habitat: Coastal and shelf waters from Norway to South Africa, through the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea.
Depth: Surface to 600 ft.
Fishing depth: Surface to 60 ft; under lights at night.
Best season: Summer and autumn in the north; all year in the south.
Best time: Dusk and night under lights.
Best tides: Moving tide off piers.
Best weather / conditions: Calm nights.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Sabiki Line Bucket Light

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Coastal and shelf waters from Norway to South Africa, through the Mediterranean and in the Black Sea.
Rig up: Light 7–9 ft spinning rod with a 2500 reel. Sabiki rig of 6–10 lb.
Pick your bait: Small pieces of fish, shrimp or squid. Lures: Sabiki rigs, mackerel feathers and tiny jigs.
Fish it: Jig a sabiki rig slowly up and down under harbor lights or off piers and rocks.
Time it: Dusk and night under lights. Moving tide off piers.

Fishing techniques: Jig a sabiki rig slowly up and down under harbor lights or off piers and rocks.
BigJoe's tip: Keep a few alive in a bucket: live horse mackerel are a top bait for sea bass, dentex, amberjack and tuna.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Tasty oily fish, fried whole, grilled or marinated (Spanish 'jurel en escabeche').

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp scutes along the side can cut your fingers.
Regulations: Minimum size 15 cm in many EU waters; few other limits for anglers. Every country sets its own rules: sea fishing licenses or registration in some countries, a national or regional license plus a local permit for fresh water, and minimum sizes everywhere. Check before you fish.
Conservation: Plentiful; keep only what you'll use.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits