05-10-2004, 08:26 PM
Cero Mackerel
Scromberomorus regalis
![[Image: cero.JPG]](http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/CeroMackerel/cero.JPG)
[ul] [li]Category: tac [li]Average Weight: 4.8 lb. - 16.0 lb. [li]Peak Weight: 25.6 lb. [li]IGFA Record: 26.0 lb. [li]Common Names: Cero, Cero Mackerel, Spotted Mackerel, Spotted Spanish Mackerel [/li][/ul]
Slightly larger than the Spanish Mackerel, the Cero is another great sportfish on appropriate light tackle. The Cero has yellow spots along its side, but it also has a distinct dark line that runs the length of it body. This dark line is not found on the Spanish Mackerel.
Cero are the most common Toothed Mackerel found in the Bahamas and West Indies. They are used for table fare and as bait for Blue Marlin. Wherever found, the Spotted Mackerel is pure game on light freshwater sized tackle.
Sometimes called Toothed Mackerel, the Spanish Mackerel family of Scromberomorus includes 5 well-known species. The largest member is the King Mackerel, yet the entire group has the classic teeth and same general body shape.
Although the quarry can grow large, most Spanish Mackerel fishermen use light tackle. Noted for strong and fast runs, the Scromberomori are an exciting group. The King Mackerel is most highly prized, both for its edibility and fight, and tournaments have been organized for Kingfish aficionados.
While the Narrowbarred Mackerel is one of the largest of the family, it is primarily an Australian fish. We will look at 4 others, all of which are taken by American and Meso-American anglers. In the Atlantic we find the above-mentioned King Mackerel, along with the Cero and Spanish Mackerel. A eastern Pacific fish, the Sierra is almost identical to the Spanish Mackerel.
These great gamefish can be taken close to shore, and don't require large or expensive boats. Heavy freshwater bass tackle or light salt water versions are excellent tools for all of the Toothed Mackerel. Because of their size, all members of the family are exciting fly rod opponents.
Flies certainly have their place in Spanish Mackerel angling. Once a school has been found, fly casting is pleasantly rewarding. Good flies, for Cero to Kings, are almost always baitfish imitations. Herring and mackerel patterns, and any silvery jig-head styled fly such as the Clousser Minnow, are excellent bets.
Jig and-Spoons will take their share of Spanish Macks, perhaps the lion's share. They flash like real baitfish, sink at a rapid rate, and troll at sufficient depths to appeal to Big Macks. Hopkins No-Equal and Acme Kastmasters, having a yellow or white bucktail on the trailer treble, are killers.
Perhaps we better not overlook old-fashioned Trolling Feathers. They aren't quite so flashy as the new stuff, don't wiggle like swimmers, yet still account for Spanish Mackerel, Cero, Sierra and Kings... year after year.
Spanish mackerel will push bait to the surface and show themselves. When found, they can be targeted by approaching an entire long cast's length from the school. Remember the major portion of the school is submerged, and spookable, nearer the boat.
Use a jig-spoon or even a Pencil Popper, tied to a 3-ft shock leader which has been attached directly to a short section of of doubled running line. When the spoon hits the water, let it sink and work it back to the boat in syncopated jerks. If it's a popper you're using, start the same style of retrieve just as soon as the lure touches the surface. If a Sierra Mackerel hits the popper, strike as soon as the weight of the fish is felt.
In areas where Spanish and Sierra Mackerel are aplenty, blind trolling is a good method of angling. The fish, once located by trolling, can subsequently be targeted by casting.
Remember, that Kingfish, even Sierras and Cero, can run as loners. Often they are ""big for their size,"" as Capt. Barry Smith would say. That's why trolling is a worthwhile pursuit. It finds the big mature fish along with the schoolies. Outriggers are not necessary. Four flat lines will work, two baits in close and two lures further out. The two short lines can be pinned to a release snap, Roller Troller or whatever, to help keep the lures from dancing.
Casting outfits which hold a good capacity of 12 to 20-lb-test line are ideal for Spanish mackerel. The Ambas
eur 5500 and 6500 series, and the Quantum Iron IR3W are excellent casting reels for these fish. Any conventional casting outfit having a reel equipped with a clicker device can be used for trolling. Pro Qualifier and the new Pflueger Medalist casting reels will hold enough 12-lb line; and although they cannot be trolled, they are good conventional reels, as per nomen.
Match the reel to a light or medium saltwater casting rod of 6 1/2 to 7-feet in length. Cero and Sierras are fun on the 6' 6"" Spiral Graphite Pro Series jobbie. It has a trigger and is rated Medium-Heavy (bass) for 10 to 20-lb mono. A slightly lighter 6 1/2-footer for Spanish Mackerel, the Quantum Bill Dance American Series has a Medium rating (bass again) and handles 8 to 17-lb mono.
Toothed Mackerel get their name from something, their dentures grind monofilament. Heavier mono shock Leaders can decrease the number of lost fish; and for Kingfish many skippers use wire.
Spanish Mackerel are exciting fly rod fish. For the adventurous, an 8 or 9-weight rod might do, but 10-Weight is better insurance if you prick a larger Kingfish. Nine foot rods are the best length, since they allow longer casts. Although they certainly are casting rods, fly rods which exceed 9 feet in length are not fighting rods. They are less efficient and prolong the fight, which in turn hurts any fish about to be released.
Fly reels should match the rod and have ample backing capacity. You'll be into the backing in no time! A smooth drag is essential. Good reels for this purpose are made by Penn, Ross, Fin-Nor, Lamson, Scientific-Anglers, and Seamaster. A System 10 Sci-Anglers or even the Pflueger 1498 Medalist will hold up to Spanish Macks. If you fear skinned knuckles, some reel models have an Anti-Reverse feature that lets the handle remain stationary. It's a tad expensive for Mackerel, but some folks use these jobbies.
Most Spanish and Sierra Mackerel encounters call for a sinking fly line, a fast sinking style is all the better. As a rule of thumb, remember that lesser tuna and all members of the mackerel family hit best if the fly and line are subsurface.
The same spinning outfits designed for Striped Bass and Bluefish are ideal for Spanish and Sierra Mackerel. A 7-foot rod designed for 12 to 20 lb test monofilament is ideal for casting from boats. The reel should have an easy-starting drag and enough capacity to hold 200 yards of 12 to 20lb line.
Sometimes smaller diametered line works better than regular mono. All of these species can get fussy, especially in clear water. Thinner line such as Bagley Excalibur or Silver Thread co-polymer, or anything similar, is a good choice.
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Scromberomorus regalis
[ul] [li]Category: tac [li]Average Weight: 4.8 lb. - 16.0 lb. [li]Peak Weight: 25.6 lb. [li]IGFA Record: 26.0 lb. [li]Common Names: Cero, Cero Mackerel, Spotted Mackerel, Spotted Spanish Mackerel [/li][/ul] Slightly larger than the Spanish Mackerel, the Cero is another great sportfish on appropriate light tackle. The Cero has yellow spots along its side, but it also has a distinct dark line that runs the length of it body. This dark line is not found on the Spanish Mackerel.
Cero are the most common Toothed Mackerel found in the Bahamas and West Indies. They are used for table fare and as bait for Blue Marlin. Wherever found, the Spotted Mackerel is pure game on light freshwater sized tackle.
Sometimes called Toothed Mackerel, the Spanish Mackerel family of Scromberomorus includes 5 well-known species. The largest member is the King Mackerel, yet the entire group has the classic teeth and same general body shape.
Although the quarry can grow large, most Spanish Mackerel fishermen use light tackle. Noted for strong and fast runs, the Scromberomori are an exciting group. The King Mackerel is most highly prized, both for its edibility and fight, and tournaments have been organized for Kingfish aficionados.
While the Narrowbarred Mackerel is one of the largest of the family, it is primarily an Australian fish. We will look at 4 others, all of which are taken by American and Meso-American anglers. In the Atlantic we find the above-mentioned King Mackerel, along with the Cero and Spanish Mackerel. A eastern Pacific fish, the Sierra is almost identical to the Spanish Mackerel.
These great gamefish can be taken close to shore, and don't require large or expensive boats. Heavy freshwater bass tackle or light salt water versions are excellent tools for all of the Toothed Mackerel. Because of their size, all members of the family are exciting fly rod opponents.
Flies certainly have their place in Spanish Mackerel angling. Once a school has been found, fly casting is pleasantly rewarding. Good flies, for Cero to Kings, are almost always baitfish imitations. Herring and mackerel patterns, and any silvery jig-head styled fly such as the Clousser Minnow, are excellent bets.
Jig and-Spoons will take their share of Spanish Macks, perhaps the lion's share. They flash like real baitfish, sink at a rapid rate, and troll at sufficient depths to appeal to Big Macks. Hopkins No-Equal and Acme Kastmasters, having a yellow or white bucktail on the trailer treble, are killers.
Perhaps we better not overlook old-fashioned Trolling Feathers. They aren't quite so flashy as the new stuff, don't wiggle like swimmers, yet still account for Spanish Mackerel, Cero, Sierra and Kings... year after year.
Spanish mackerel will push bait to the surface and show themselves. When found, they can be targeted by approaching an entire long cast's length from the school. Remember the major portion of the school is submerged, and spookable, nearer the boat.
Use a jig-spoon or even a Pencil Popper, tied to a 3-ft shock leader which has been attached directly to a short section of of doubled running line. When the spoon hits the water, let it sink and work it back to the boat in syncopated jerks. If it's a popper you're using, start the same style of retrieve just as soon as the lure touches the surface. If a Sierra Mackerel hits the popper, strike as soon as the weight of the fish is felt.
In areas where Spanish and Sierra Mackerel are aplenty, blind trolling is a good method of angling. The fish, once located by trolling, can subsequently be targeted by casting.
Remember, that Kingfish, even Sierras and Cero, can run as loners. Often they are ""big for their size,"" as Capt. Barry Smith would say. That's why trolling is a worthwhile pursuit. It finds the big mature fish along with the schoolies. Outriggers are not necessary. Four flat lines will work, two baits in close and two lures further out. The two short lines can be pinned to a release snap, Roller Troller or whatever, to help keep the lures from dancing.
Casting outfits which hold a good capacity of 12 to 20-lb-test line are ideal for Spanish mackerel. The Ambas
eur 5500 and 6500 series, and the Quantum Iron IR3W are excellent casting reels for these fish. Any conventional casting outfit having a reel equipped with a clicker device can be used for trolling. Pro Qualifier and the new Pflueger Medalist casting reels will hold enough 12-lb line; and although they cannot be trolled, they are good conventional reels, as per nomen. Match the reel to a light or medium saltwater casting rod of 6 1/2 to 7-feet in length. Cero and Sierras are fun on the 6' 6"" Spiral Graphite Pro Series jobbie. It has a trigger and is rated Medium-Heavy (bass) for 10 to 20-lb mono. A slightly lighter 6 1/2-footer for Spanish Mackerel, the Quantum Bill Dance American Series has a Medium rating (bass again) and handles 8 to 17-lb mono.
Toothed Mackerel get their name from something, their dentures grind monofilament. Heavier mono shock Leaders can decrease the number of lost fish; and for Kingfish many skippers use wire.
Spanish Mackerel are exciting fly rod fish. For the adventurous, an 8 or 9-weight rod might do, but 10-Weight is better insurance if you prick a larger Kingfish. Nine foot rods are the best length, since they allow longer casts. Although they certainly are casting rods, fly rods which exceed 9 feet in length are not fighting rods. They are less efficient and prolong the fight, which in turn hurts any fish about to be released.
Fly reels should match the rod and have ample backing capacity. You'll be into the backing in no time! A smooth drag is essential. Good reels for this purpose are made by Penn, Ross, Fin-Nor, Lamson, Scientific-Anglers, and Seamaster. A System 10 Sci-Anglers or even the Pflueger 1498 Medalist will hold up to Spanish Macks. If you fear skinned knuckles, some reel models have an Anti-Reverse feature that lets the handle remain stationary. It's a tad expensive for Mackerel, but some folks use these jobbies.
Most Spanish and Sierra Mackerel encounters call for a sinking fly line, a fast sinking style is all the better. As a rule of thumb, remember that lesser tuna and all members of the mackerel family hit best if the fly and line are subsurface.
The same spinning outfits designed for Striped Bass and Bluefish are ideal for Spanish and Sierra Mackerel. A 7-foot rod designed for 12 to 20 lb test monofilament is ideal for casting from boats. The reel should have an easy-starting drag and enough capacity to hold 200 yards of 12 to 20lb line.
Sometimes smaller diametered line works better than regular mono. All of these species can get fussy, especially in clear water. Thinner line such as Bagley Excalibur or Silver Thread co-polymer, or anything similar, is a good choice.
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