Yellow Tail
name: Yellow Tail
other names: Yellowtail, King Mackerel
The body of Yellowtail is iron-grey or green along the back, silvery on the sides and white on the belly. The fins are pale to dusky. It is easy to distinguish between Yellowtail and Spanish Mackerel, as Yellowtail lateral line takes a sharp dip just under the second dorsal fin. A small king's sides may have spots similar to Spanish mackerel. The first dorsal fin is a uniformed blue, where as in a Spanish Mackerel the front section of the dorsal fin is tinged black.
Yellowtail prefer warm waters. This affinity for warm temperatures and the availability of food result in extensive annual migrations. They're generally found near reefs, buoys, wrecks, ocean piers and other structure holding bait fish.
Kings feed mainly on migratory, surface-schooling fish's. They also consume small quantities of squids and shrimps. Feeding Yellowtail often leap out of the water in pursuit of prey. A great sight in some of the Indian waters is to come across a large bait ball that's explodes as large Yellowtail charge through often chopping up many bait fish in the process.
Females are larger than males of equal age. A female in its seventh year is approximately 39 inches long, while a male the same age measures about 32 inches.
Most anglers prefer to use 10-, 15- or 20-pound spinning tackle for jigging. Trolling is best done with 20- or 30-pound trolling rods and reels. Spin tackle offers the angler a quick descent to the fish with a jig while trolling tackle works better with the deep troll. Live baits can be used while drifting or slow trolling, as well. Ballyhoo, blue runners or pinfish are excellent live baits.
