Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Atlantic Chub Mackerel are a long, streamlined fish with a deeply forked tail. They are blue above fading to silver below. Numerous wavy dark lines run across the top half of their body. Dusky spots run across the bottom half.

Atlantic Chub Mackerel differ from Atlantic mackerel by having dusky spots that run across the bottom half of their body.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Uncommon
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Atlantic Chub Mackerel is an ocean schooling species traveling in schools that often contain thousands of fish. They feed on krill, shrimps, squids, and some small fishes.
Did You Know?	Atlantic Chub Mackerel are preyed upon by seabirds, whales, dolphins, sharks, tuna, marlin, and many predatory fish.
Common Lures and Baits	Atlantic Chub Mackerel will readily take jigs, metal lures that resemble sand eels and mackerel trees, which are comprised of a small diamond jig proceeded by multiple hooks with surgical tubing resembling worms. Atlantic Chub Mackerel can also be pursued with bait such as sand eels, sea worms, strips of squid, or small fish.
Typical Sizes Caught	Atlantic Chub Mackerel are commonly caught in the range of 1 to 1.5 pounds by anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Atlantic Chub Mackerel are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award.
Delaware State Record	Atlantic Chub Mackerel are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

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