Chicharro
Horse mackerel (Trachurus species) in Madeiran waters, with an account of the irregular shoals and the fishing methods used, including night fishing with lamps.
According to some authors, two species of fish of the family Carangidae go by this name in the seas of Madeira: Trachurus trachurus and T. Cuvieri. They seem to arrive irregularly: if there are seasons of great scarcity, there are others when the shoals are very numerous. They are sought sometimes on the bottom of the littoral zone with the gorazeira (deep-water longline for sea bream), or in mid-water with the agulheira (mid-water line for garfish), and sometimes at the surface with the rod or the circular net; this last method is very profitable when the run is abundant. At other times they are caught in trawl nets, which can also yield a plentiful haul.
Bottom fishing is done by day, while surface fishing may be by day or by night. In the latter case a fishing lamp (candeio) is used, known as griseta, cão or maçarico depending on the locality; with its intense light it is a powerful aid to the fisherman, drawing the fish to the surface of the sea. The pursuit of the chicharro by tuna, the bicuda and other migratory species often drives it to seek shelter in coastal waters, and the same happens with the mackerel (cavala), which is caught by the same methods and is likewise irregular in its passage. As bait, fishermen prefer both to many other species.