Mackerel Scad
Decapterus macarellus
A small, schooling pelagic fish in the jack family with a streamlined body and distinctive lateral line scutes. They are primarily used as bait fish rather than targeted as a food fish.
Mackerel Scad at a glance
- Scientific name
- Decapterus macarellus
- Typical size
- 6-12 inches, under 1 lb
- Water
- Saltwater
- Habitat
- Offshore
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
Mackerel scad inhabit open ocean waters and are commonly found in large schools near the surface. Anglers primarily catch them with sabiki rigs or small jigs to use as live or cut bait for larger pelagic species like tuna, marlin, and dolphin fish.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a mackerel scad through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksMackerel Scad questions people ask
Mackerel Scad is Decapterus macarellus.
A typical mackerel scad runs 6-12 inches, under 1 lb. Cobia records the length and weight of every mackerel scad you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Mackerel scad inhabit open ocean waters and are commonly found in large schools near the surface. Anglers primarily catch them with sabiki rigs or small jigs to use as live or cut bait for larger pelagic species like tuna, marlin, and dolphin fish. It is a salt water species, filed under offshore in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.