[Drew]

Hi folks,

Now that the Mackerel season is nearly upon us, What is the best set up for catching them from the beach? i.e. what size of line would you use, what weight, and what method?

Cheers

Drew

 

[spellbound]

Drew, it depends on why I'm fishing for them.

Catching them for bait I would sling out a string of feathers and catch what I would need for fishing. Cast as far as I can varying the speed/depth of retrieve until I can locate the shoal.

For a bit of sport I would fish as light as possible - luckily there are areas here where they are close in to man made structures and rocks, so I can get the odd one or two on a fly rod using homemade/sea trout flies.

If they are a bit further out then a light spinning rod with silver metal lures.

As a kid I used to baitfish for them - using mackerel/herring/sprats on size 1 hooks.

Usually they don't appear on the shores of East Scotland until mid June

 

[stinky]

Mackerel can be excellent fun on really light gear, I use a spinning rod with 6lb line and a dexter wedge. get a biggun on that outfit and it'll put up a fight.