Mackerel fishing tips

Mackerel Fishing

I have a lot of respect for the Mackerel. Have a look at this article I wrote in 2007 about the Mackerel. They are a beautiful fish that taste good and are a great bait for sea anglers. They are powerful and can provide some great sport, but how do you catch them!!!

Image from: adactio

How to catch Mackerel

There a a lot of different methods for fishing for Mackerel and it depends on your location and experience as to which method you should employ. The two many categories are:

• Shore fishing for Mackerel
• Boat fishing

Both of these platforms can be sub divided again depending on your requirements. If you want to catch a lot of  Mackerel for bait, from a boat, the feathering for mackerel is the fastest way to get results. However if you are on a boat and want some great sport fishing, then a spinning rod with a single lure or SWFF (saltwater fly fishing ) will provide you with some stunning sport.

Beginners to Mackerel fishing

I believe that Mackerel fishing, offers the new angler a great deal of confidence when setting out in the sport of sea fishing. They are not hard to catch from safe areas, you learn how to cast and handle fish, as well as a little on the best conditions to catch fish – this knowledge can be applied to other species.

• Peir fishing – This allows you to fish in a decent depth of water, where fish such as Mackerel hold in the summer months. The structure you are fishing from is flat and easy to cast from. It is safe, as long as you fish in sensible conditions and choose a suitable area away from water craft . Use railings etc to prevent a fall!! If fishing with small children it might be worth purchasing buoyancy aids or a floatation suite. You can use a cheap fixed spool reel with a 10 – 12 foot rod suitable for casting 1 – 3 oz. 15 lb main line with 30lb shock leader or use 30lb line straight through.

• Beach / Rock  fishing – Often harder to find a mark with deep water close by but still achievable. The location you will fish from will be un-stable and this can cause problems to newbies casting technique. The tackle used and rigs can be the same as above. Fishing from rocks or beaches is technically a little harder, so I would recommend a pier first!

The rigs you use differ depending on the Sport level you are looking for. Anything that uses multiple hooks for Mackerel fishing might take away from the fight. This is because the fish pull in different ways and you are fighting the dead weight not the individual fish! So the rigs are :

• Sliding float – Thread a cigar float onto your main line, with a bead above it and one below.  Place a ball weight below this, enough to cock the float (make it stand up-right) another bead and then a swivel. The beads prevent abrasion! To the bottom of the swivel attach your trace, 3 foot of 10 lb line should do. Then attach your hook. Size 1/0 to 3/0 should do, here is a guide to fishing hook sizes . You then need to tie a top knot above the top bead. This prevents the float from riding up the line and the weight just going to the bottom of the sea! I would bait it with a strip of Sand eel or Squid and then get fishing. You can adjust the depth you fish at by sliding the knot up your line!!
• Feathers / lures – This is an easy set up. You by your chosen lures - I prefer the holographic silver type, but had great success for years on colored feathers. 3 to 4 lures on a string is plenty. Attach a swivel to your main line and tie the traces of mackerel lures onto your shock leader, not the loop end! Then attach your weight to the bottom loop and cast away!!!. You then let the lures stop on the sea bed and retrieve them by pumping the rod towards you then lower the rod tip and wind up the slack line. You can experiment the speed of the pumps under different conditions to see if this changes your catch rate. On broken ground, you want to retrieve fast to avoid any snags.

Advanced Mackerel fishing  Shore and Boat

So you have been hauling Mackerel for years and are a good angler with a sound cast!!! Have you ever considered making more sport from your Mackerel fishing?? A two pound Mackerel on matched gear will provide some great sport, the best being on SWFF tackle. Here are some things to try if you don’t already.

1. Mackerel Traces – Rather than use a standard weight attach a perk from a boat or dexters wedge from the shore. You can get some interesting results!!
2. Float fishing – Float fish a trace of Mackerel lures under your chosen cigar shaped float. You can cover a huge amount of water and a bit of bait (sand eel or squid) can increase rate. Gar fish love a bit of sand eel fillet!!
3. SWFF Shore – Great sport. Choose hot sunny days with a good tidal range and use a floating line with a flashy lure. Fish hard, not forgetting to fish close to the shore line (I have seen Mackerel hunting in 18 inches of water!). You don’t want to use heavier than a weight 8 set up.
4. SWFF Boat/kayak – If the Mackerel are high in the water column, then use a sinking tip line or dry line with a weighted lure. The lighter the rod the better. I used a brook rod, 7 ft and had amazing sport from my kayak!!. For early season fish you can employ a fast sinking line and wait for the knocks and sport when you hook a channel racer!!!!!
5. Spinning – A dexters wedge on light spinning gear will catch you lots of Mackerel, Bass and Pollock in the right locations. Fish all the depths and fish hard. Use balanced tackle and enjoy the fight…

The Mackerel is a much underrated fish. Its tastes great cooked on th BBQ. Get out there and approach your sea fishing with a new out look. Let us know here how you get on, or other tips by commenting on this post about Mackerel fishing tips.

Hi Guy’s

I would like to join a fishing club for fresh water and Sea fishing, I have just moved to St Annes  in Lancashire from Zimbabwe and don’t know any one in the area as yet.

Regards

Bill

Comment on this post and I will forward these to Bill!

Cathy BOAT FISHING

Sea fishing for ladies

Sunday 2nd August marked the first sea fishing trip by the Fishing For Everyone Ladies Fishing Club, run by Lucy Bowden.

The trip, which took place out of Amble Harbour saw 10 ladies take to the high seas Mackerel fishing in chartered boat, ‘The Warlord’. Captained by Jeff Davidson and his Skipper, Duncan the girls had a fantastic time and managed to catch 28 Mackerel between them.

Club Member, Mary Snowdon said;

“How exciting was that! What a great trip we had. Poppy and I just loved it and am definitely on for the next one.”

Due to popular demand another sea fishing trip is currently being organised. Our next Fly Fishing event will be held on Saturday 29th August at Sweethope Lough, Bellingham. Any ladies interested in this event should contact Lucy.

For more information on the Fishing For Everyone Ladies Fishing Club visit www.fishingforeveryone.com

Sea fish

I have been asked on a few occasions to create a species guide, which I have started to do, but I need some pictures of fish to go with it. I have hundreds of photographs of most species, but nothing digital. Have you got some digital photographs of fish that you would be happy for me to use here on the fishing-blog???

Sea fish photos

If you have a few pictures you are happy to share, please email them to me – comments@fishing-blog.co.uk

Thank you in advance. I will of course mentioned the photo provider and give you a link if you have your own site or business.

Image from – david.nikonvscanon

Fishing for Wrasse

Interested in some great sports fishing? looking for regular catches then Wrasse fishing is for you. Done right, the humble Wrasse can provide you some top quality sport which will leave you wanting!!!! Want to know more…. Read on.

The Wrasse

There are a few species caught here in the UK waters. as follows:

• Ballen Wrasse – Heavy built fish with small mouth, with thick rubber lips and armed with teeth. Colouration varies with age and sex. Young fish are generally a shade of green, with older more mature fish a reddish brown / dark green, with lots of small white spots. Sometimes dark bars or lateral white banding may occur. Feeds on mollusc’s: crab, shrimp. Lives in rocky areas with heavy weed, loves gullies and over hangs to hide in.
• Cuckoo Wrasse – Similar shape to the Ballen Wrasse, but generally a bit finer (longer and thinner) with a longer more elongated mouth part, containing sharp teeth! Colour changes with age and sex. Females and immature males, are generally a yellowish brown to red, with 3 dark marks  on the base of the rerar section of the dorsal fin. Fins edged in pale blue. Mature males are striking with bright blue heads and sides, and into the first of the dorsal fins. The blue edging of the other fins also tends to be greater, when compared with that of the female, or immature males. The colouration of the mature males head, tends to be replaced by white, during the mating session. The top and bottom rear thirds are a strong yellow colour. Habitat is similar to the Ballen Wrasse, but I have caught them more often higher up in deeper water (edge of deep drop offs etc).  Feeds on the same foods as the Ballen Wrasse.
• Corkwing Wrasse – The most common species in the UK and the fish you are most likely to catch from the shore. Very similar to the Ballen Wrasse, with thick set body, head and neck and similar mouth part. The gill coverings on these guys have spines, be careful! Colouration is highly variable, although usually green to greenish brown, with darker pigmentation along the back and top sides, pale belly, with body scales highlighted by brownish dots or marks. A black smudge is to be found in front of the fin rays of the tail, below the lateral line. There is often a crescent shaped dark patch behind the eye. Males have blue to green, wavy lines on their head.

Fishing methods for Wrasse

You need to make a careful selection of the mark you are going to choose to fish for Wrasse from. Clean unbroken ground will not hold any wrasse, unless its on the edge of a reef or similar underwater feature. Rough broken ground, covered in weed and full of nooks and crannies is the best Wrasse fishing ground. Take a look at google maps to find hidden underwater reefs and fish holding areas. It might be worth snorkeling your ground, if you are fit and it is safe to do so. I have seen many 6lb plus Wrasse 5 feet from the shore in 6 feet of water….

With the above in mind, your tackle wants to be clear from the bottom, presenting your bait about a foot off the rocks. Float fishing tackle is the best choice in my opinion. You can test your rig at depths, until you find the bottom, then shorten the rig to present your bait just above the bottom. It will snag occasionally, but that’s hard fishing for you. The other advantage with a float set up is if allowed to drift in the wind or current you will cover a huge expanse of ground. Remember that the tide will effect the depth you are fishing!!!!

Bait can be most things, but rag and crab have produced the best results for me in Cornwall. Consider what Wrasse eat, how they are formed and you should draw the opinion that any mollusk would be a suitable choice for the Wrasse – try it! Keep your baits small as smaller wrasse will pick at the bait and never find the hook point.

Wrasse Rig

Your rig should be made of tough line. 20 – 30lb fluro Carbon is a good start with size 2 carp hook (they are strong and small!!). You need the heavy rig line to avoid loosing fish in the rocks. use a reasonable sized float, so it can been seen clearly at range. Many add a few red beads to the hook length as they feel this gives an added edge to the catch rate.

Wrasse bites are normally very rattly. Give them plenty of time to mouth the bait, but as soon as you think they are hooked, play them hard as they will dash for the safety of the rocks. Play them hard initially to get them high up in the water column, then get them to shore as quickly as possible, they will kick up a stink and make great sport. You need some forceps, in case they swallow the hook – those Wrasse have great TEETH!!!

You might want to have a look at this article – Wrasse fishing from a kayak

NB the set up can be a bit lighter from boats and kayaks, because you are pulling the Wrasse directly away from the rocks

Would you be interested in a forum here on the fishing blog??

It will be mainly targeted for the beginner to Sea Angling, but would require some knowledgable anglers to assist.

Anyhow, the poll is over on the right — >

This post is going to be a growing list, a dynamic post where I want to detail fish finders used on Kayaks.

I would like you to comment on this post or send me an email with the fish finder you use on your fishing kayak, detailed with why you have chosen this particular model of fish finder, why you chose it, if you would recommend it and what advantages has it got over other models. I would like to build a review list for people searching for the best kayak mounted fish finder.

• Here is a past post on how to fit a fish finder to your kayak

• Here is a big-game prowler kayak with all the additions – Prowler fishing kayak

• Here is a list of fish finders to buy from amazon

Fish finder list

1. Humminbird Matrix 47 3D fishfinder – A great, very popular fish finder with large clear display and excellent functionality.

Rapala sea fishing lure

Best sea fishing lures

I was recently asked this question via email, regarding the best spinners / lures for sea fishing.

Hi I’m a complete amateur when it comes to spinning . Was just wandering which are the best all round spinners and lures to to use on the south coast.

Well the answer is not so straight forward, I need to know a few more options first, like.

• Do you mean in the UK?
• Boat fishing or Shore fishing
• Any species in mind
• Have you got a budget for your lures?
• What tackle and rods have you got already?

Anyway, I will try and answer your question -

1. If you are looking to get the fastest results and are new to sea fishing in general I would recommend using mackerel lures on a light beach caster from a local pier / deep water mark. You will find Mackerel one of the easiest species to target. It will produce good sport and hours of fun and is a great way to progress your casting technique.
2. From a boat, it depends if you are looking at wrecking – jelly/hook tail worms work well. Bassing – trolling rapala and casting a dexters wedge can provide good results
3. Different species are attracted to different lures to get best results. But always fish a larger lure than you might think.
4. If you have got spinning tackle then have a look at this article – Saltwater lure fishing. You should find most information you need there.

But, I must say, budget no problem and for the best quality, most successful salt water lure in my opinion, I would go for the Rapala range of lures. They are strong, swim well, and take a good beating. Just change the hooks regularly and tie them on well using a recommended technique.

I hope that helps. Anymore questions please reply by email or commenting on this post!

Image from: andycoan

The “Short Arm” belongs to Corus Steel in Port Talbot is accessed by permit only. I understand the current cost is £27.50 for the short arm and £46 for the long arm. Permits are available via 08706 096699 for the short arm and 01639 871111 est 3368 which is the British Steel Sports Club.

Both sea fishing marks are breakwaters and offer comfortable fishing venues. Lure fishing, float and bottom fishing techniques work well here for a range of sea fishing species.

Corus species

Summer species include, Bass, Mackerel, Garfish, Pollack, Wrasse, Mullet, Dogfish, with flatties, conger eels and Ray making an occasional appearance, winter species include Dogfish, Pouting and Whiting.

Like many pier marks anything is possible, so fish hard!

Bait & Fishing methods

The ground a short distance out is clean and all methods work well. Frozen Mackerel / Squid work well for the Rays, Conger, Bass and Doggies. Worm and Sand Eel will produce flatties and Bass. Bread and fish mix for Mullet on light float gear. Lug works well in the winter months!

Welsh Sea fishing Team

Welsh Sea fishing Team

Northumberland based fishing tackle company Greys, are pleased to announce they are official sponsors of the Welsh sea fishing team.

Greys will be sponsoring the team with products including a selection of sea rods, G-Mag reels and Apollo Extreme clothing.

These products will be used at events including the World Championships in Croatia in 2010 and the Home National event in Wales in July this Year. The team will provide Greys with feedback on these products and ,  prototypes currently under development.

The Anglers to represent Wales in the World Championships are Franco Attanassio who has experienced success previously in World Championships in Portugal, Joe Arch, former individual world Champion ,  who has also had major wins at many events home and away, Alan Price who is former World champion from 2002 in Belgium. Pete Corker also joins the team – an excellent all round performer who narrowly missed out in an individual gold medal in Portugal and James Fraser who continues to produce the results when required ( team gold in 1997.)

Andrew Hutchins is the reserve for the event and will participate midway through the championships. Andrew has continued to show commitments and development in his career in angling and is being rewarded with a place on the team.

Team manager, Mike Flynn said;

“We are very proud to have Greys as our official sponsor. The Welsh Sea Angling Federation pride themselves on the method of qualification for the National team that allows all Anglers an equal chance of qualification. The facts are clear in adopting an open method of selection and we have continued our rise up through the rankings to fourth in the world with the use of the best fishing products from Greys.”

Floats and bait are not the only combination. You can very successfully lure fish using a float. Read on for a few more float fishing tips.

Types of sea float

• Bubble Float - Clear plastic floats that allow water in to add ballast and casting weight to the float.
• Weighted Cigar – As above, but self cocking.
• Pop bottles -  Yep, good old fizzy drinks bottles. Mount a swivel into the lid and add water to cast and cock. You can cast them miles.
• Cork -  From a bottle of wine.
• Match Floats -  Coarse fishing floats.
• Slider floats -  Large cigar shaped floats, very popular for pier fishing.
• Balloons -  More often used for boat fishing for shark, but has other applications.

How to use floats for sea fishing

What I am trying to do hear is open up your mind to approaching old and new fishing marks with new ideas. We often do the same thing every trip, coz it works, but are you getting the most out of that mark?

Another great advantage with float fishing is you can balance your tackle to your species, enjoying the fight and the whole experience of catching fish. I hate just winding fish in like clock work with heavy gear and small specimens.

Anyway, here goes, a few tips for using floats to improve your sea angling experience,

1. Surf fishing for Bass – If you can get on a pier or rock outcrop and cast into the back of the surf, use a bubble float with live prawn / sand eel / crab. Allow the float to be carried in the current, you will cover loads of ground.  The bait will stay preserved as it wont be dragged across the bottom, perishing it.
2. Lure fishing in saggy ground – Again, employ the bubble float. Use a leader length short enough to prevent the lure catching the bottom and you can work a heavy sinking lure tight to the rocks and into the gullies.
3. Long range Mackerel / Garr – If you use a pop bottle and mackerel feathers, you can fish at long range to find deep water. Using a knot on the line, you can adjust the depth the lures work at to find the fish. This is called a running float.
4. Light match floats – Mullet fishing employs a lot of light coarse fishing gear. Typical float fishing gear is used to great effect to capture mullet.
5. Flounder – Flounder like a moving bait as they are aggressive hunters. Using any of the floats above with a long leader allows the bait to gently move around on the sea bed. Spoons, beads and sequins can be used to great effect. You can also keep the bait just off the bottom to keep crabs off your bait. Try small live prawns.
6. Balloons – Great for fishing larger live baits for Bass. Again you can fish at different levels and at huge ranges.
7. Corks – You can always find one on a beach and they make a great make-do float. If you are fishing and decide you want to target Wrasse over rocky ground, use your cork – hey presto!

Sea fishing with floats can add a whole new dimension to your sea angling. Look at your mark and consider other ways of presenting bait in a natural way. Consider, if required how to cover a lot of ground, seek out the fish, don’t be static, work for your fish. Game anglers spend a lot of time moving and trying to calculate where the fish are likely to be in the current weather / water conditions. Do the same! and enjoy your fishing.

Let us know what other situations you can use a float for to imparove your sea angling.

Image thanks to Izik

I have recently had this question sent to me via email. I enjoy answering questions and helping people out, it also gives me inspiration to write and think of other articles. So please fire some questions at me.

Anyway, Mick has asked -

Hi, i am staying in a cottage which has access to the above river. This is in May, if possible i would like to know what fish are in the river and tips on how to catch them. Also do i need a licence to fish the river.

To answer your question Mick in revers order. As I understand it a Rod Licence is required when fishing for freshwater fish, eels, Salmon or Sea Trout anywhere in England or Wales as well as out to sea for up to 6 miles. So unless you are seeking these species you are in the clear, fishing the estuary (up to the region were tide still has an effect).

There are some tips regarding species and technique here in the beginners guide – Here is the most pertinent Estuary fishing also you might want to check out Kayaking fishing in the Helford. There is also another article here for Mullet fishing in the Helford

Okay a quick resume here for you,

• Mullet – light float fishing / spinning gear – bread for bait, ground bait with pilchard and bread mash.
• Mackerel – Spinning gear, small lures – best in warm conditions nearer the mouth of the estuary.
• Bream – light tackle – float fish but near the bottom – shell fish as bait, prawns, mussel etc
• Bass – DO NOT CATCH & KEEP – the Helford is a Bass nursery!!
• Pollock – beach casting, lures, floats – Generally smaller specimens – fish nearer the mouth.
• Wrasse – Light gear for best sport – Rag worm, near the rocks, again closer to the mouth.
• Dog fish, Ray, Flatties and Conger can all be caught with heavier beach casting gear and rigs.

So, I hope this helps. Please comment if I have missed something or you would like to add something.

I finally worked out a way to get the best out of my catch! I brought a Fish Smoker – and put in some herring, left it to smoke with the wood kindling for a wee wile and hey presto – dinner! It’s perfect for picnics, at home, riverbank and also for other things like smoked cheese and meats. Light the two meths burners, sprinkle some sawdust on the base of the smoker, add your food and put
the lid on. That’s it. There’s room for two 3-lb trout, which would take about 15 minutes to cook through. Steak and other meats taste great cooked this way too. This model is stainless steel, so resists corrosion much better than cheaper imitations. For transport, all the components stow inside the main compartment.
compartment.

Really simple to use, works great with trout and easy to clean.

Buy your Fish Smoker from Ronnie Sunshines Below:

Fish
Smoker For £28.99

Discovery Shed will be the place for men who like good old practical activities to escape to. Watch Matt Hayes’ Greatest Catches on the channel from Friday 20th March at 9pm and 9.30pm, Bob Nudd’s Right Angles follows at 10pm and 10.30pm.

There seem to be good catches of Pollock coming in from reefs and pier marks around Cornwall. Worm (lug) seem to be getting the best catches, although I would be tempted to try a Dexters wedge to intice one.

These shore caught Pollock are not of any great size – upto about 1lb in weight.  But matched with the right gear tehy can be great sport and returned un harmed. However, they are very sweet eating at this size, I would keep a couple for the table.

For some more inofrmation about Pollock fishing follow this link