Scad Fishing UK: How and Where to Catch Scad

How to identify a scad

Scad have a silvery green or blue-grey body, very large eyes and a dark spot on the edge of the gill cover. The key feature is the lateral line: it carries a row of large, hard, bony plates called scutes from head to tail, with a sharp downward curve partway along. They have two dorsal fins and sharp spines in front of the anal fin. Mackerel have wavy dark stripes on the back and no scutes. Young bass have scales rather than scutes along the lateral line.

Where it lives

Scad are open-water shoaling fish found around the UK, most commonly in the south and west, including south-west England, the Channel coast, Wales and western Scotland. From the shore they are caught from piers, harbour walls, breakwaters and deep rock marks. Shoals gather around lights on piers and harbours at night, where they feed on small fish and plankton. They also turn up with mackerel shoals off deep-water rock marks.

What it eats and the best baits

Scad feed on small fish such as sandeels and sprats, plus shrimps, squid and plankton. Small feathers and sabiki rigs work because they imitate the tiny fish and shrimp that scad chase in midwater. Thin fish strip gives off scent and catches well when scad are feeding near the bottom or around pier lights.

Small feathers
Sabiki rigs
Mackerel strip
Small metal jigs
Soft lures

Best time of year

Jan – quieter
Feb – quieter
Mar – quieter
Apr – quieter
May – quieter
Jun – good
Jul – good
Aug – good
Sep – good
Oct – good
Nov – quieter
Dec – quieter

Typical best months for shore anglers in England and Wales. What's in season

How to catch scad

Small feathers or sabiki rigs with size 8 to 12 hooks are the classic method, jigged slowly from piers and harbours. A light spinning rod or LRF rod with a 10 to 20g weight makes it fun and helps feel the bites. A float rig set at mid-depth with a small strip of mackerel works well around pier lights, as does a small two-hook flapper with size 4 to 1 hooks fished on the bottom. LRF anglers catch scad on small metal jigs and soft lures. Scad are often most active after dark, especially near lights, and around high water. Bites are quick, sharp taps, and shoals move fast, so keep your bait or lure working once you find them.

Size and bag rules

Area	Rule	Source
Eastern IFCA	Minimum size 15cmListed as horse mackerel.	Official page
Kent & Essex IFCA	Minimum size 15cmListed as horse mackerel.	Official page
North Western IFCA	Minimum size 15cmListed as horse mackerel.	Official page

Other areas (no confirmed number for this species yet): Northumberland IFCA, North Eastern IFCA, Sussex IFCA, Southern IFCA, Devon & Severn IFCA, Cornwall IFCA, Isles of Scilly IFCA, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland.

Rules last checked 23 October 2026. Rules change, especially for bass: always check the official source before keeping a fish. All sea fishing rules

Handling and release

Scad have sharp bony scutes along the lateral line and spines in front of the anal fin, so handle them carefully. Wet your hands, hold them gently and unhook quickly with forceps. Return fish you do not want straight away rather than leaving them on the ground, as they tire quickly out of water.

Where to catch scad in the UK

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Where to fish in the UK · Fishing conditions today

Tackle for scad

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Scad guides

Scad fishing questions

When is the best time to catch scad?

Scad are mainly caught from summer into autumn, with the best sport often after dark around pier and harbour lights. Calm, warm evenings around high water are especially good. Once you find a shoal, fish fast, as they move around a lot and can disappear quickly.

Can you eat scad?

Scad are edible and popular in southern Europe, though they are bony and the sharp scutes need to be removed. They are best eaten very fresh, grilled or fried. Many UK anglers keep a few for bait. Check the size and bag rules for your area below.

How do I tell a scad from a mackerel?

Scad have a row of large bony plates along the lateral line, which dips sharply partway along the body, and very large eyes. Mackerel have wavy dark stripes on a blue-green back and no bony plates. Both are found in similar places and often caught together.

Scad Fishing UK