Species
Jack Mackerel
Trachurus declivis
Tier 4Eating5/10ultralight tackleNSWVICSATAS
2 waypoints20–40 cm (max 60 cm) typical
Overview: about jack mackerel
Schooling pelagic of southern Australian waters from southern QLD around to WA. Targeted with bait jigs and small metals when schools push into bays and around wharves. Better as a livebait and burley source than a table fish.
Biology: Jack Mackerel size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Offshore, Pelagic
- Typical size
- 20–40 cm (max 60 cm)
- Weight
- 0.3–1 kg (max 2.5 kg)
- Depth range
- 10–200 m
- Diet
- krill, small fish, squid
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Southern Australia (Trachurus declivis)
How to target: Jack Mackerel angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- bait jigs (sabikis) tipped with tiny pilchard flesh around offshore reefs and wharves
- small metals cast into surface schools
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern
Mostly caught as bait fish for kingfish, snapper and tuna.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught jack mackerel
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Where to catch: jack mackerel fishing spots in Australia
More information: jack mackerel references & sources
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