This is the big Spanish mackerel of the Indo-West Pacific, found from the Red Sea and East Africa to Australia, where anglers simply call it Spanish mackerel and in the Gulf where it goes by kingfish. It hunts small fish in coastal water and along drop-offs, often in loose groups, and hits a trolled lure or bait at full speed. The teeth are like a row of blades, so crews rig wire or a heavy leader, and a fish swinging aboard is handled with care.
On Reelzy it is listed by Big game fishing out of Trou-aux-Biches on the north west coast. The boat leaves at 05:00 for 6 or 9 hours and fishes offshore with a full range of methods: trolling, live baiting, jigging, popping, spinning and bottom fishing on light or heavy tackle. Its list is mostly blue water fish, marlin, sailfish, wahoo, yellowfin and dogtooth tuna, so a Spanish mackerel is something that turns up on the trolling lines on the way, not the reason the boat goes out.
The listing is for one angler, which means the rods, the crew and the choice of method are all yours. If mackerel matter to you, say so at booking and ask whether the crew can spend time trolling closer to the reef edge.
Questions and answers
Short answers to what people ask before they book. Anything else, ask the captain in chat.
Is the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel the same as a wahoo or a kingfish?
It is a close relative of the wahoo in the same family, and in the Gulf it is called kingfish. It has a deeper body and wavy vertical bars, while a wahoo is slimmer with a longer snout. The crew will name it as it comes aboard.
Can I fish for Spanish mackerel alone in Mauritius?
Yes. Big game fishing from Trou-aux-Biches is booked for one angler, leaving at 05:00 for 6 or 9 hours. Mackerel are a by-catch on its trolling day, so mention them at booking if you hope to spend time near the reef edge.