The search for Australia’s Greatest Fish: Spanish mackerel

Yep, this week’s fish is mean and nasty and has big teeth. They’ve even killed people when they’ve taken to the air and accidentally speared into them like a ballistic missile!

We’re talking about the Spanish mackerel – a fish that’s likely to rate pretty well given they fight hard, look good and taste great.

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Spaniards are found in the top half of the country. In the summer months, they come as far south as northern NSW – Coffs Harbour is home to some great mackerel fishing – and have even been occasionally caught off Perth.

Spanish mackerel are widespread but generally found around reefs or rocky headlands. This provides them with the best areas to hunt, as they love eating reef fish as well as any other baitfish they come across.

Big and powerful – they grow to more than 30 kilos – and armed with razor-sharp teeth, Spaniards will soon sort out any kink in your gear.

It’s best to have a good quality, medium to heavy rod and reel set up with a line not going any lighter than, say, 40 pounds.

Because of those teeth, you are going to need a wire trace; the most popular is single-strand wire because it’s thin and harder for the fish to see.

There are a few things you can do to catch a big mackerel. The simplest is to troll a bibbed lure around.

Find areas of bait or gaps between the reef, and drive your boat around at anywhere between 5 to 12 knots.

Set your drag correctly, as the first run from a Spanish mack is one of the fastest you’ll encounter.

Trolling a lure isn’t the best way to get a bite from a mackerel, especially a big one.

Spanish macks have extremely good eyesight and often have the smarts to not eat a lure. But they are very susceptible to a trolled bait.

This was first introduced to us in the Whitsundays where the bait of choice was a whole ribbon fish, which are about 60cm long.

They are big baits and rigged up on ganged hooks with a weight on their nose so they swim.

Simply slow troll them around areas you think might hold a fish and wait for the bite -- you’ll be amazed by just how greedy mackerel are.

Don’t be put off trolling big baits.

Other favourite baits are trolled garfish, tailor and frigate mackerel.

Another popular method is to have a float or balloon or float out the back of the boat while fishing a reef for trout or other tasty delights.

Rig it with a floating pilchard, or even better, a live bait.

Finally, Spanish mackerel will happily eat a surface lure such as popper or a stickbait.

This is one of the hardest ways to catch them -- it requires lots of casts -- but one of the most exciting as they often attack the lure from below and launch themselves into the air.

Let’s rate the mighty Spanish mackerel.

As far as distribution goes, mackies are available from northern NSW right the way around the top of the country and down even as far as Perth. There are a few places you can fish them from the shore, but a boat is going help.

How easy are they to catch? Well you will need pretty tough gear and wire leaders, and once hooked be prepared for a very good fight. They’re not the easiest fish to tatch.

Score: 4 out of 10

The first run of a hooked-up Spanish mackerel is explosive.

It’s followed by big, angry headshakes and a fight that lasts most of the way to the boat, although a mackerel will run out of stamina in the end.

Their fighting quality is one of the best.

Score: 8 out of 10

How good do Spanish mackerel look on the brag board? Not bad, with their silver flanks and big, scary teeth.

Score: 7 out of 10

Mackies are one of the better-eating fish in the sea. Their flesh is firm, white and delicious, a real chicken-of-the-sea fish.

Popular recipes show how versatile it is to cook, ranging from pan-fried in a beer batter, baked, grilled, barbecued, smoked or even pickled.

Score: 8 out of 10.

Spanish mackerel are a bit tricky to catch. You're going to need a boat, some heavy gear, the right bait or lure, and be prepared for a decent drive if you live in the southern part of Australia.

Once you're hooked up though, you're in for an exciting fight all the way back to the boat.

You can either take that envy-inducing trophy photo and release your catch back into the water, or bring it home and feed the family with a great-tasting fillet.

Overall, Spanish mackerel earns a respectable 27 points out of 40 to elevate it to fifth place on the Australia's Greatest Fish leaderboard.

The latest season of Hook, Line and Sinker airs each Sunday on 7Mate. Check your state's fisheries website for bag and size limits, and closed seasons.