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How to catch Greenback horse mackerel

Trachurus declivis (Jenyns, 1841)

About Greenback horse mackerel fishing

The greenback horse mackerel is a slender, fusiform marine fish belonging to the jack family Carangidae, recognised by its streamlined body and distinctive coloration along the upper flanks. Growing up to sixty-four centimetres in maximum length, this species forms large pelagic schools across continental shelf waters, occupying depths from the shallows down to four hundred and sixty metres. Adults feed predominantly during daylight hours on planktonic crustaceans, krill, and small lantern fishes, moving closer to the seabed during the winter months. Highly valued for both commercial fisheries and sports fishing, it is widely distributed in the marine waters around Australia and New Zealand.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    42 cm TL

  • Market value

    Very high

  • Habitat

    Brackish, Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

  • Also known as

    Chows, Common jack mackerel, Cowanyoung, Greenback scad, Horse mackerel, Jack mackerel

Greenback horse mackerel

Terminal mouth

The terminal mouth position is characteristic of this pelagic carangid predator.

Opercular spot

Dark spot on the upper edge of the opercle helps distinguish this species.

Scuted lateral line

Strongly arched and heavily scuted lateral line is prominent on the midbody.

Greenback horse mackerel fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    42 cm TL (max 64 cm SL )

  • Typical weight

    0.5 kg (max 2.8 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    11.1–20.2 °C

  • Depth

    27–460 m

  • Longevity

    25 years

  • Body shape

    Fusiform / Normal

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    50.5

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Greenback horse mackerel

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Greenback horse mackerel

Tips for catching Greenback horse mackerel

Anglers targeting this schooling pelagic species achieve the best results by matching their presentations to its daytime planktonic diet using small metal jigs or weighted spinning lures worked through midwater columns. Because these fish form dense schools and shift toward the continental shelf or drop deeper near the seabed during winter months, locating them with electronics over offshore structures or drop-offs is essential. Early morning and late afternoon hours offer prime opportunities when the fish rise closer to intermediate depths to feed actively on small crustaceans and baitfish. Light spinning gear paired with responsive retrieve speeds helps secure consistent hookups.

Other names for Greenback horse mackerel

Local and alternate names anglers use for Greenback horse mackerel.

  • Greenback horse mackerel
  • Scaly mackerel
  • Scad
  • Jack mackerel
  • Horse mackerel
  • Greenback scad
  • Cowanyoung
  • Common jack mackerel
  • Chows

Best equipment to catch Greenback horse mackerel

Compare fishing methods for Greenback horse mackerel — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.5 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Greenback horse mackerel

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Greenback horse mackerel migrates — Bathymetric

Shifts between shallow and deeper water with the seasons rather than moving along the coast. Change depth before you change venue.

How Greenback horse mackerel migrates — Bathymetric 1. Warm months: Feed in shallow water through the warm months. 2. Cold months: Drop into deeper water as it cools.
Shallow water Deep water

1 Warm months

Shallow water

Feed in shallow water through the warm months.

2 Cold months

Deep water

Drop into deeper water as it cools.

Larger adults often stay deeper all year.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Prey and predators of Greenback horse mackerel

Prey is what Greenback horse mackerel eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Predators

What hunts it

Fish

  • Deania calcea juv./adults
  • Helicolenus percoides juv./adults
  • Macruronus novaezelandiae juv./adults
  • Thunnus alalunga juv./adults
  • Thunnus maccoyii juv./adults
  • Thyrsites atun juv./adults

Where Greenback horse mackerel lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Brackish, Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral, Bathyal
27–460 m
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Greenback horse mackerel

Mapped fishing spots where Greenback horse mackerel is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

McKenzie Bay

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand

Stanmore Bay

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand

Waikareao Estuary

TaurangaBay of PlentyNew Zealand

Waipu Bay

TaurangaBay of PlentyNew Zealand

Welcome Bay

TaurangaBay of PlentyNew Zealand

Wellington Reach

WhangāreiNorthlandNew Zealand

Jacksons Reef

Waikato DistrictWaikatoNew Zealand

Herald Bay

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand

Little Shoal Bay

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand

Shelly Bay

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand