Spanish mackerel is a common visitor to Cape Hatteras from spring to autumn, sometimes swimming as far north as Pea Island.
Like the king, Spanish mackerel is a surface-dwelling, near-shore species that will migrate over long distances in large schools along the shore.
As water temperatures in the south increase, it moves north, when temperatures exceed 63 degrees F.
They spawn off Cape Hatteras over a long period between late spring and late summer.
Spanish mackerel consume small fishes, shrimp and squid, and reach a maximum age of 8 years.