Feb 2026
Pacific Sierra
Sierra del Pacífico
Scomberomorus sierra · Scombridae
- Category
- Mackerel & Barracuda
- Found in
- Pacific Baja, Sea of Cortez, Pacific Mainland
- IUCN status
- Least Concern
- Mexico fish counts
- 940 counted, 70 so far in 2026
About Pacific Sierra in Mexico
How to recognize it
This slender, silvery mackerel has a bluish-green back and rows of orange to bronze spots scattered along its sides. The jaws are lined with small, razor-sharp teeth, the first dorsal fin has a dark front edge, and a row of little finlets runs to the forked tail. It looks much like the Atlantic Spanish mackerel, but the two live in different oceans.
Where and when in Mexico
The sierra del Pacífico is an inshore fish of sandy beaches, river mouths and shallow bays from the southern Baja Pacific coast through the Sea of Cortez and down the mainland to Mazatlán, Banderas Bay and beyond. It is a staple at Los Cabos, and most of the sierra in Mexico Fish Reports' fish counts were logged by Cabo San Lucas boats, typically when cooler water pushes schools close to the beaches in winter and spring. San Felipe boats also reported a solid run in 2009. In the Sea of Cortez, La Paz and Loreto anglers find them along beaches and points, and Puerto Vallarta pangas pick them up near shore. Most weigh 2–6 pounds.
How it's fished
Sierra are a favorite panga target on light spinning tackle. Small spoons, Rapala-style minnows and Krocodile-type lures cast or slow-trolled near the surf line draw quick strikes, and a live sardina fly-lined over a school rarely lasts long. A short length of light wire or heavy fluorocarbon saves lures from those teeth.
Good to know
Firm, white and mild, sierra is the classic fish for ceviche across the Mexican Pacific. Ice it right away for the best texture.
Fishing rules in Mexico
- General limit: 10 fish per angler per day, max 5 of one species
Source: NOM-017-PESC-1994 §4.9.1 (2013 mod.). Rules change; confirm current limits, seasons and permits with CONAPESCA before you fish.
Where Pacific Sierra are caught in Mexico
- Cabo San Lucas 818 counted · last Feb 2026
- San Felipe 122 counted · last Oct 2009
Fish counts by year
| Year | Kept | Released | Trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | 70 | 0 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 | 15 | 0 | 4 |
| 2012 | 41 | 0 | 8 |
| 2011 | 186 | 12 | 16 |
| 2010 | 162 | 0 | 25 |
| 2009 | 309 | 0 | 25 |
| 2007 | 109 | 6 | 13 |
| 2006 | 16 | 1 | 2 |
From fish counts posted by the Mexican landings on Mexico Fish Reports. Years with no posted counts are not shown.
Boats catching Pacific Sierra (2025–2026)
- El Budster Pride Cabo San Lucas 45 counted on 3 trips
- El Budster Cabo San Lucas 25 counted on 1 trip
Recent Pacific Sierra reports
Fishing on the EL BUDSTER. The JHON ZALESKY´S party, CAUGHT SIX SIERRA MACKEREL. The fish was caught 12 to 14 miles from the coast of Cabo San Lucas. The water…
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