Fish

Pacific sierra (sierra mackerel)

Sierra del Pacífico

Scomberomorus sierra

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

2–6 lb.

Depth

Surface to 60 ft.

Best time

Morning.

Found in

6 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Long, slim silver mackerel with rows of bronze-orange to golden spots on the sides, a dark blue-green back and sharp, triangular teeth.
Typical size: 2–6 lb.
Maximum size: About 3 ft and 18 lb.
Diet: Small fish like sardines and anchovies.
Behavior: Fast schooling fish that slashes through bait near beaches, river mouths and points.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Baja & Sea of Cortez, Pacific Mexico, Pacific Central America, Pacific Colombia & Ecuador, Galápagos Islands and Peru. Coastal waters from southern California and the Gulf of California to Peru, including the Galápagos; often close to the beach.
Habitat: Coastal waters from southern California and the Gulf of California to Peru, including the Galápagos; often close to the beach.
Depth: Surface to 60 ft.
Fishing depth: Surface to 20 ft.
Best season: Winter and spring are best in Mexico; all year farther south.
Best time: Morning.
Best tides: Moving tide.
Best weather / conditions: Calm, clear water.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live sardines or strips of fish.
Best artificial lures: Small spoons, Rapala-style plugs, metal jigs and feather jigs, trolled or cast.
Tackle setup: 7 ft medium spinning rod.
Hook size: 1/0–3/0.
Line: 15–30 lb braid.
Leader: Light wire or 40 lb fluorocarbon — sierra teeth cut line.

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

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Leader Lures Spoon Wire

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Coastal waters from southern California and the Gulf of California to Peru, including the Galápagos; often close to the beach.
Rig up: 7 ft medium spinning rod. Light wire or 40 lb fluorocarbon — sierra teeth cut line.
Pick your bait: Live sardines or strips of fish. Lures: Small spoons, Rapala-style plugs, metal jigs and feather jigs, trolled or cast.
Fish it: Troll small spoons and plugs along the beaches, or cast to feeding schools; retrieve fast.
Time it: Morning. Moving tide.

Fishing techniques: Troll small spoons and plugs along the beaches, or cast to feeding schools; retrieve fast.
BigJoe's tip: Use a short piece of light wire — you'll lose far fewer lures.
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: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: The classic fish for ceviche in Mexico; also great grilled or fried. Eat it fresh.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Very sharp teeth — keep fingers out of the mouth.
Regulations: General bag limits apply; check local rules. Rules vary by country: Mexico requires a CONAPESCA sport fishing license for everyone aboard a fishing boat, Costa Rica requires an INCOPESCA license, and Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru set their own rules. Many islands and coasts (Coiba, Isla del Coco, Malpelo, Gorgona, the Galápagos and others) are marine parks with strict limits or no fishing.
Conservation: Abundant and fast growing.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits