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🌊 Mackerel
A fast-moving shoaling species and one of the easiest UK sea fish to catch in season, a classic first sea-fishing target thanks to how readily it takes feathers or small lures.
Identification
Streamlined, torpedo-shaped body with a striking iridescent blue-green back marked with dark wavy vertical bars, and a silvery-white belly. No scales on most of the body except around the pectoral fin base and lateral line.
UK habitat
Present around the entire UK coast in summer and early autumn, moving inshore in large shoals that can produce fast, prolific catches on feathers or small spinners from piers, boats and rock marks.