[Rusk]

I've only ever caught mackerel from a boat in the bay, but I rate it as one of the best fresh eating fish I've ever tasted.

I'm unable to get out into the bay at present, so I was wondering:

Is there anywhere around the North Devon coast with plentiful mackerel you can catch from the shore?

 

[Rusk]

:bye2:.............

 

[Brauntonian]

Don't think theres been many places around North Devon this year where theres been plentiful Mackerel.

You choose your rock mark, chuck and see.

Sorry I can't be of any more help but it's a bit like, how longs a piece of string. Or here one minute gone the next. LOL.

 

[Rusk]

Fair points!

In which case - let me re-frame my question....

What bait and rig would be best, casting off the rocks / into the estuary, in order to tempt mackerel?

In the past I have caught them with muppets off a boat - cant do that from the shore can you?

 

[Spuds]

Clovelly.Park up at the fishermans carpark halfway down the hill.Use a light beachcaster with fixed spool or a spinning rod.Attach hokais or tinsel type trace with the lightest practicable lead.Try to the left of the harbour wall or to the far right of the harbour by the waterfall.
Alternatively capstone by Ilfracombe can be productive.
Or Westward Ho! by the rocks near to the Elizabethan (watch yourself though as the tide comes in the gullies behind you and the rocks are dangerous)
I find the flood tide the best

 

[Brauntonian]

What bait and rig would be best, casting off the rocks / into the estuary, in order to tempt mackerel?

Not much chance of Mackerel from the shore in the estuary mate.

Spuds given you some good advice there.

It's also getting a bit late in the year for them now so don't hang around.

 

[smudge3lions]

I agree with spud, I've had some nice maccy from Clovelly this year by the waterfall has worked best for me with the silver 'feathers'.

 

[fair_weather_angler]

Fishing from the old quay, at lowtide, at Bucks Mills is always worth a shot.

 

[Rusk]

Fishing from the old quay, at lowtide, at Bucks Mills is always worth a shot.

Excellent!

What bait / rig would you recommend?

 

[bluemicky]

Excellent!

What bait / rig would you recommend?

bit late for mackeral mate,best to try from late may to early september for numbers around this way.
feathers are all you will ever need for numbers or a lure or float fished bait for sport.
must be a gazillion pages on the net about mackeral fishing,but id say you have missed the boat this year matey.