The Narrowed Barred Spanish Mackerel is one of Australia’s most prized species of Fish to Underwater hunters and Fisherman alike. Known internationally as the Tanguigue, it is highly sort after for its fighting prowess and speed. When observed underwater, the beauty this fish possesses with its brilliant purple/ blue colour and black vertical stripes is what keeps spearfishers coming back for more.
Some divers around the country almost exclusively hunt for these fish, and are constantly on the lookout for techniques and equipment that will aid in the capture of a large mackerel.

Locations

Spanish Mackerel can be found just about anywhere in coastal and offshore waters, ranging from Sydney on the east coast of Australia, up and across the top end of northern Australia and down the west coast as far south as Cape Leuwin. Some of the more popular locations to hunt this fish include the coastal reefs and Islands of Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland, where the best numbers will be found at the peak of the season, being late summer to early autumn. In the winter time waters of the Great Barrier Reef can produce good fish. In the West a favourite location for this species is the Ningaloo reef system and associated islands off Exmouth, where large mackerel of over 30kg have been landed by spearfishers.

Biology

The Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus Commerson) is a true migratory Pelagic Species capable of great speed and strength. They can grow to an impressive 2.2 metres in length and over 45 kilograms in weight. Mackerel have a high growth rate and a very high percentage flesh content. They can be found in both coastal and offshore waters and may congregate wherever baitfish schools are present. If targeting larger fish of over 25kg, expect to find these swimming as individuals or in small groups. Spearfishers may find average size fish of 7 to 12 kilograms forming large schools, particularly late in the season. Spanish Mackerel prefer waters of 22 degrees Celsius and above, and expect to find them up current of Islands, pinnacles and drop offs.

Techniques

There are many techniques that a diver can employ to spear these fish. A popular technique is to find a location that mackerel are known to exist and hunt in that one area. Many spearfishers will dive to mid water and scan at that level in the hope of seeing a fish swim by. If a diver limits movement once the fish is sighted, the fish may circle the diver and come with in range. Often a good breath hold is required for the fish may swim out of range for some time. This technique works well if divers are hunting in pairs with one diver up and one down at a time. If current is present then a drift dive maybe necessary, where divers may take turns in the boat. The above method of diving to mid water is often still used. When diving in reduced visibility, spearfishers will often dive to the bottom and look up into the gloom. This may help in spotting the silhouette of a passing fish.

These fish can also be attracted closer to divers with the use of burly and flashers. When feeding on the burly, the mackerel may be come preoccupied with eating and ignore an approaching diver. Flashers can be used in a similar way, but do not seem to attract sharks as much as burly. Shoot placement is important when hunting these fish. The Mackerel has soft flesh and a spear is easily torn free if the shoot placement is poor, for example in the gut area of the fish.

A warning to divers, Mackerel have razor sharp teeth that can cause serious injury to the unwary. This can occur when trying to subdue a speared fish, and care must be taken to avoid this. Once a diver has a firm hold of the Mackerel an Iki spike may be used to kill the fish.

Equipment

Mackerel may be encounted in waters ranging from reduced visibility to clear blue waters, so the length of the gun and effective range becomes important. In poor to average visibility, a 1.3 metre Rob Allen Rail Gun with 7 mm spear and single 16 or 20 mm rubber would be highly effective. In clearer blue waters these fish tend to be more vary of divers. A 1.5 metre Rob Allen Rail Gun with 7-7.5mm spear and two 16mm rubbers would enable the hunter to take longer shots if necessary. Both of these guns are easy to manoeuvre in the water and reloading is quick and simple. Terminal gear may include a 20 to 25m rig line with a short 2 to 4m bungee connected to a Rob Allen Float of 11 litres. This set up will enable a diver to land any mackerel with a good holding shot.

Eating

Spanish Mackerel are highly sort after for their eating quality. Freshly captured fish should be bled and chilled immediately to help improve eating quality. The fish may be filleted or cut into steaks of about 25cm thick, which can be cooked on the BBQ.

Records

The official Australian and World Record for Narrowed Barred Spanish Mackerel stands at 37.2 kilograms, for a fish speared by Barry Paxman in September 2001 at Muiron Islands, Western Australia. On the East coast another record breaking fish of 37 kilograms was taken by Ryan Springall in 2001. This fish was speared at Mudjimba Island Queensland using a 1.2 Rob Allen Rail Gun.

Conclusion

Spanish Mackerel pose a formidable opponent to the underwater hunter. Once speared, they put up a good fight and will surely test a divers skill. The capture of a large Mackerel (over 25 kg) is the goal of most experienced spearfishers around the country.