Our Guide to Spearfishing Spanish Mackerel
the Summary for Month of Mackerel
Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel. Different names in different places.
Here is a brief list of names for Spanish Mackerel. See one missing? Put it in the comments!
- South Africa: King Mackerel, Couta, Cuda
- Malaysia: Tenggiri
- Australia: Narrow-Barred Mackerel, Spaniard, Spanish Mackerel
- USA: Barred Mackerel, Narrow-Barred Mackerel, Striped Seer, Kingfish
- Arabia: Kanaad, Kanad or Kana’d mackerel
- India: Konem in Telugu, Vanjaram in Tamil, Anjal in Tulu
- Iran: Shir Mahi شیرماهی
- Philippines: Tanigue
- Indonesia: Ikan Tenggiri
- Somalia: Yuumbi
- Fiji: Walu
- Qatar: Kingfish (from Coatesmans blog)
Noob Spearo’s Month of Mackerel was inspired after an email exchange with one of our Noob Spearo Podcast listeners. He asked for more hunting tips and made a few cracker suggestions that we will be implementing in other upcoming posts and interviews. Here is a brief summary of our Month of Mackerel for people who want to know more about chasing these sleek speedsters.
Spearfishing Spanish Mackerel – Turbos 2 Part series.
Part 1, How to hunt Spanish Mackerel
Part 1 is all about putting yourself in the right place at the right time. It has a good run-down on equipment and how to attract Mackerel once you are in the water.
Part 2, How to fight and land a Spanish Mackerel
Part 2 follows up with advice on shot placement, what to do with that exciting running fish and how to get it back to the boat.
We were also privileged to interview two prolific and experienced Spanish Mackerel Hunters
Listen in here, NSP:015 Rob Allen, spearfishing equipment pioneer
First out of the blocks was Rob Allen, a man famous for the manufacture of high quality spearfishing equipment. Taking down Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo and other Pelagics was the reason for designing the original Rob Allen Speargun and he shares that story + lots of tips, tricks and information about taking down these quality fish.

Listen in here, NSP:016 Dr Richard Pillans, the Mackerel Whisperer (Our Words!)
Our second specialist guest for the Month of Mackerel was Richard Pillans an Australian based Marine Biologist who loves nothing more than putting a 7mm spring steel shaft through a frolicking Mackerel. In a solid 60 minute interview Richard lays down some excellent info for the aspiring Mackerel Master.
Spanish Mackerel Spearfishing Records
Turbo also pieced together the past 25 years of Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel Records. Check out the photos and stories behind some of the biggest Spanish Mackerel you’ve ever seen.

Peter Taings story about a recent monster Spanish Mackerel
Peter Taing is a local Brisbane based Spearo who recently shot a 36.8 kg (80lb+) Spanish Mackerel. Read his account of a memorable capture.
After reading through our month of mackerel you might have noticed we have missed something, please let us know in the comments below! For more tips to improve your spearfishing check out 99 Tips To Get Better At Spearfishing – actionable information from more than 40 of the worlds best spearo’s!
Thanks for reading,
Turbo and Shrek