ID Guide: Mackerel

Common names: Mackerel

Latin: Scomber scombrus

Appearance: A small fish with a metallic, shiny blue/ green colour on the back. The back also has dark tiger-like stripes.

Where: Fished from piers or rocks/ rockpools around the UK.

How to forage: The easiest way to catch them is to use a fishing line during high tide, ideally on a pier or near rocky areas. 

When: From April to September, although easiest to catch in June and July when large shoals break into smaller shoals to travel to shallow waters.

How to use: Steamed or fried like you would any other fish. The preparation could take a bit of work if you are filleting it – if not, just cut crisscross lines into the fish, add salt and pepper and fry.