Trachurus trachurus - Scad

Taxonomy

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Carangidae

The scad, also know as the horse mackerel, is not actually a member of the mackerel family. It is a shoaling fish and looks very much like a small mackerel without stripes. A black spot on the trailing edge of the gill cover, between the pectoral fin and the lateral line, is an identifying feature.

Scad rarely grow to more than 2lb (0.4kg) and are not usually taken for eating. The Welsh record is 2lb 14oz, and was caught off Llanelli in 1996.

Scad appear off the Welsh coast in spring and summer, often together with mackerel. The same fishing techniques - bait, spinner or flyfishing - can be used for both species.