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There is a wide variety of fish we can find in the waters, but mackerel is very popular and common among anglers.
Mackerel is a globally popular gamefish and it can be mostly found in the Atlantic Ocean and also in the Gulf of Mexico.
There are several species of Mackerel but the most popular gamefish mackerel among anglers are the Spanish Mackerel and King Mackerel.
The Spanish Mackerel and the King Mackerel have several similarities. However, we shall be focusing more on the differences in this article.
Does the Difference Matter?
Yes, it is important to distinguish and understand the difference between the Spanish Mackerel and the King Mackerel.
The reason for this is that the fishing rules for these two species are different and you don’t want to be penalized with heavy fines for breaking the rules.
Also, misconceptions about these species can be embarrassing for some anglers, especially when they claim they can identify the species to their fellow anglers.
Thus, to be a good angler and to avoid unnecessary fines, you must understand the differences.
Spanish Mackerel
The Spanish Mackerel is also called the Atlantic Spanish Mackerel, it is a variety of Spanish Mackerel that is commonly caught along the East Coast of the United States. You can simply call it “Spanish”.
They can be found from northern Mexico to Cape Cod and are very popular from Florida to Maryland and along the northern Gulf Coast.
Although the Spanish Mackerel is smaller, this particular specie is still a very popular gamefish for professional anglers.
Spanish Mackerel is often identified as king mackerel, especially by persons who don’t understand their differences.
The Spanish Mackerel has a long, narrow, silvery body that is bright green.
The best way to tell the difference is the prominent dorsal fin along the spine of the Spanish mackerel, sometimes it is dark or solid black.
King Mackerel
The King mackerel is known for its size and aggressiveness. It is the best fish among mackerel species.
This fish, also called kingfish, doesn’t have the stellar taste of the Spanish Mackerel but tastes great when smoked.
The king mackerel, which is the larger of the two species, also differs in color. An olive-green fish with a white belly, prominent dorsal fin, and black forked tail, king mackerel are commonly found in the waters from Brazil to North Carolina.
The king Mackerel is the angler’s favorite because of its large and elongated shape. It also has a silvery-olive back and iridescence sides.
King Mackerel vs Spanish Mackerel (The Comparison)
There are many differences between the two species of fish that may be difficult for anglers to notice.
The similarities between these species are common, but they also have unique differences.
Size
The Spanish Mackerel have a minimum size of about 12 inches, while the king mackerel is at least 24 inches in length.
In other states like Texas, the standard size of the king mackerel is about 27 inches in length.
Although the Spanish Mackerel has an average length of 19-33 inches and can weigh about 13 pounds, the female Spanish Mackerel grows longer and heavier than a male Spanish mackerel.
Since the King mackerel have an average length of 30-50 inches long with a weight of at least 40 pounds or more, they are considered the bigger species when compared to the Spanish Mackerel, and it can even grow as large as 50% or more.
Appearance
Another obvious distinction between the Spanish Mackerel and the King Mackerel is the huge color differences between these two species. They both have beautiful colors.
King mackerel is larger and the color is more like olive green. The Spanish mackerel is small and the color is light green.
The Spanish mackerel is green on the back with a silver belly. The Spanish mackerel has yellow or olive-green spots on its flanks. The king mackerel has an olive back, silvery sides, and a white Belly.
Adult Spanish Mackerel generally have yellow spots but only the young king mackerel weighing less than 10 pounds have yellowish-brown spots on their flanks that fade as they age.
Mouth
The mouth of the Spanish Mackerel is large but does not exceed the line of the eyes. The Spanish mackerel has one row of sharp-edged teeth on its two jaws.
The king mackerel also has a large mouth and it does not exceed the line of the eyes.
Again, just like the Spanish Mackerel, the king mackerel has a single row of sharp-edged teeth on its two jaws. Both species have sharp teeth in their lower jaw and upper jaw.
Dorsal Fins and Lateral Body Line
The dorsal fin and lateral body line are very common means to tell the difference between the Spanish mackerel and the King Mackerel.
This is a very easy way to spot their difference, just look at the outline of their front dorsal fin and flank.
The Spanish mackerel has a black spot on the anterior part of its first dorsal fin, but the king mackerel does not have this.
While the lateral line of the Spanish mackerel drops down gently, the lateral line of the king mackerel drops sharply towards the center of the body.
Unlike the Spanish mackerel, the king mackerel has a slight curve from the top of the gills to the tail.
In addition, the Spanish mackerel has three rows of oval sides that mark the sides of its body. King mackerel does not have this not until it is fully grown.
Tastes and Textures
When comparing the two fish, it is important to know how they taste. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel have a similar and moderate taste.
The taste is not too sweet or mild. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel are fatty, but mackerel is slightly oily than king mackerel due to its high-fat content.
However, the two species have a hard texture that breaks into small pieces when cooking.
Lifespan
King mackerel have a longer lifespan than Spanish mackerel. While kingfish can live as long as 20 years, Spanish mackerel can only live up to 12 years.
Cost
Generally, the price of fresh fish depends on how it was caught and the location it is sold.
When buying your mackerel, ensure you check the label to see if the fish is wild-caught or farm-raised.
Spanish mackerel cost more per kilo than king mackerel. The average price of a Spanish mackerel is about $19 per pound while the average price of a fresh kingfish is about $18 per pound.
Wrapping Up
If you are an angler or a person just looking for fishing adventures, the mackerel specie is the perfect start.
King mackerel is an interesting fish to catch as the specie is the largest and most aggressive type of mackerel.
However, catching one of these beautiful silvery green fish can be a lot of fun because they put up a good fight.
The ability to distinguish their differences is necessary to avoid unnecessary penalties due to differences in rules for different species.
In general, many professional anglers prefer the Spanish mackerel and king mackerel for their adventures. This makes the mackerel species an exciting catch for anglers of all skill levels.
