SCIENTIFIC NAME : Auxis thazard

OTHER NAMES: Frigate Mackerel, Tinker Mackerel.

RANGE: Individually uncertain, but one or the other occurs throughout Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

HABITAT: The open seas, but often near deeper reefs.

DESCRIPTION: The Frigate Mackerel, shown here, and the Bullet Mackerel, are two similar species confused by scientists and unrecognized by many anglers, who generally pass them off as juvenile Little Tunny. They do have the wavy lines of Little Tunny on the posterior dorsal area, and one of the species also has dots under the pectoral fin as the Little Tunny does. The anterior and posterior dorsal fins are widely separated, however, on the Frigate Mackerel, and nearly touching on the Little Tunny. Another smaller member of the clan is the Chub Mackerel, also known as Tinker Mackerel, distinguished by black spots along the side.

SIZE: Seldom eaten because of a general prejudice against eating "Bonitos" of any sort. Indeed, the flesh is dark but not bad when boiled and made into Tuna salad.

FOOD VALUE: Like other species of Tuna, they rank among the best battlers in their size group, mixing fast, zippy runs with as much pulling power as their small size allows.

GAME QUALITIES: When targeted (usually as bait for larger fish), the best outfit is a spinning rig with a small jig.

TACKLE AND BAITS: See Jack Crevalle. 

FISHING TECHNIQUES: Trolling.