Mackerel fishing is a popular activity for anglers of all levels of experience, and the key to success is understanding which tides are best for mackerel fishing. The tides, along with the time of year and the weather patterns, are important factors in determining the best times to fish for mackerel. Fortunately, the tides are predictable, so anglers can plan accordingly to maximize their chances of a successful mackerel fishing adventure. In this blog post, we will explore the different tides, their effects on mackerel fishing, and the best times to fish for mackerel. We will also provide advice on the best mackerel fishing techniques, as well as tips on how to select the right tackle and bait for the job. With this knowledge, you will be well-equipped to enjoy a successful mackerel fishing trip.
What is the best lure for catching mackerel?
Small soft plastic lures also work well. These will be taken by mackerel in the first 20 feet or so of water. The Fiiish Black Minnow 70 and Savage Gear Sandeels in the small 10 cm or 12 cm sizes are effective lures. sizes up to 5 cm and numerous others that resemble tiny baitfish like sandeels and sprats.
How to catch mackerel: The best seasons and times for mackerel fishing
Mackerel are plentiful along many coastlines if you go during the summer’s prime mackerel fishing times, when water temperatures are at their highest and there is an abundance of food that mackerel eat.
Unless you have access to a boat or kayak, in which case they’re accessible for the majority of the year, they lurk too far away for even the longest casters for part of the year, which can make learning how to catch mackerel challenging.
Peak summer, autumn, and any time the water temperature is at its warmest are the best times to catch a lot of mackerel because they can be found in enormous shoals in the warmer months, pursuing bait fish like sandeels close to shore.
Like many species, mackerel feed best at dawn or dusk in terms of the time of day. Around these times, their prey, including small fish, sandeels, lance, shrimp, and squid, is also most active. You’ll most likely have a busy session if you can fish when the light changes around dawn or dusk, with a tidal change just before or after this time so the water is moving in or out somewhat.
Use a light stick or glow stick on the line to entice mackerel to the rig if you want to try night fishing. This can work a treat off a pier or jetty. Use a size 8 to 1 hook and a few feet of fresh mackerel belly with the white flesh on the glowstick to fish near pier lights or other areas where baitfish congregate. You can also use a baited sabiki rig.
Use a fixed spool reel and something around a 15lb line if you’re feathering with 3-6 feathers. I’ve used a variety of rods for feathering, and I alternate between using 3, 4, or 6 feathers, depending on how much fish can be held on the feathers by the rod and reel.
I begin by using a 9-foot spinning rod with two to three feathers on a lightweight reel. I’ll switch to a stronger rod and reel and add five or more feathers to it once I know the mackerel are approaching. Before I have all the bait I need and dinner for the family that evening, I’ll only need to use the heavier set-up a few times.
There are so many lures on the market now its very confusing which one to get. The job of spinning is an easy one. You attach a snap swivel on the line then the lure to the end of that. Then youre ready to go. The one lure that is mentioned time and time again for mackerel is the Dexter Wedge which is shown here:
After casting, when you have a tight line, you simply pull the rod back in one long motion while maintaining it at waist height. After that, you advance the rod once more while reeling in the slack. You then repeat. When you do this, the reel will most likely turn three or four times.
Other baits used include garfish, scad, sand eels and squid. Mackerel typically strike hard and quickly when attacking bait on a float. When the float quickly sinks, the vast majority of people will strike and your float will fall quickly. I would wait a little while to see what happens if the float is only briefly under water before popping back up.
FAQ
Is it better to fish at high tide or low tide?
TIDES COMING IN An incoming tide, also known as a rising tide, is one of the best tide times for fishing. When water enters an estuary from the ocean, it may be cooler, contain more oxygen, and be clearer than the water that is present in the estuary during low tide or other times of slack water.
What are the best conditions for mackerel fishing?
Mackerel prefer deep water, so try fishing from steep-to beaches, piers, jetties, and breakwaters.
Are the mackerel in yet 2022?
In the first week of January, the 2022 mackerel season began, and Denholm Seafoods is already processing fish caught by its boat partners in the North Atlantic’s sustainable waters.
What is the best lure for catching mackerel?
Small soft plastic lures also work well. These will be taken by mackerel in the first 20 feet or so of water. The Fiiish Black Minnow 70 and Savage Gear Sandeels in the small 10 cm or 12 cm sizes are effective lures. sizes up to 5 cm and numerous others that resemble tiny baitfish like sandeels and sprats.
