chrisjpainter Posted July 11, 2020 Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 I've not had a great time of it yakking on the coast of late and needed a bit of a pickmeup session. I decided to go full tilt after the bass, but bait fish to try and pick up the bigger specimen fish behind the usual schoolies I've caught from the beach. I planned a 3:30am launch time to coincide with the last of a falling tide, followed by the flood, in what was forecast to be a slovenly 5-7mph westerly winds only gusting to 10-12mph. I got out of the car to be confronted with nearer 15mph winds gusting close to 20 and coming from the North. And a chap snoring like a rhino in his tent next to the carpark. But I'd put the effort in to that point and it made me glad I'd punted for the drysuit instead of a wetsuit/jacket combo. Fortunately it was a short paddle to where I planned to fish, as the northerly wind now meant a strong crosswind, not a helpful tail. I set up, opened the bait box and realised I'd packed the wrong one and there was barely anything in it. 'I hope I can pick up a few mackerel, otherwise I'm scuppered for this trip,' I thought. Then the mackerel arrived. Shed loads of them! I never got a touch on the bigger bait designed for the bass, but it didn't matter, the mackerel just kept coming on mackerel, squid strips, feathers and jigs. Whatever went into the water, within five minutes a mack would hoover it up. I kept 13. Those smaller, 30cm will end up as bait, but the bigger ones will get battered, smoked, pated or barbecued. I reckon I kept 1 in every 5 (60+ fish in four hours ain't too shabby!) fish and the size average was excellent. I didn't bother measuring those that went back, but I reckon 20-30 would have been over 30cm. So it wasn't the session I'd planned but definitely most welcome. Summer for me is defined by two things: the return of swifts and the return of mackerel, so both boxes are now ticked! Now to clean EVERYTHING of mackerel scales... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bornfree Posted July 11, 2020 Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 I love mackerel. Filleted a little salt and black pepper on the skin and shallow fried for 2 minutes a side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted July 11, 2020 Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 Only thing better is a sardine while on holiday and a cold beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted July 11, 2020 Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 Don't eat fish but really enjoy mackerel fishing. Off a boat/yak 6/8lb line, mepp or spoon, really good fun. Might head down next week. Where were you fishing from, and are they within casting distance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam triple Posted July 11, 2020 Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 Lovely well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted July 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 40 minutes ago, strimmer_13 said: Don't eat fish but really enjoy mackerel fishing. Off a boat/yak 6/8lb line, mepp or spoon, really good fun. Might head down next week. Where were you fishing from, and are they within casting distance? Do you know Ringstead Bay? I'll drop you a pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted July 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 1 hour ago, bornfree said: I love mackerel. Filleted a little salt and black pepper on the skin and shallow fried for 2 minutes a side. Aye. Gotta keep it simple. Tonight I think we're lightly battering some fillets and flash frying them. New pots, fresh veg and a well earned rest, me thinks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted July 11, 2020 Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 15 minutes ago, chrisjpainter said: Do you know Ringstead Bay? I'll drop you a pm Blimey I know that area, where did you launch your kayak from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted July 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 55 minutes ago, old'un said: Blimey I know that area, where did you launch your kayak from? The little run down from the carpark ono the beach. It's not so bad getting it over the shingle as the trolley takes the brunt, but I have to shut my ears a bit to the scraping sounds when getting it back up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moor man Posted August 6, 2020 Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Mackerel shoals have been very patchy here in S.Devon but finally they are here in numbers.....managed a dozen in just over an hour despite a seal intent on robbing my fish!🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted August 10, 2020 Report Share Posted August 10, 2020 I wish I enjoyed Mackerel to eat but I cant stomach it ! But used to love catching it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moor man Posted August 13, 2020 Report Share Posted August 13, 2020 Had this for tea last night..... Only fish I caught all day but I was a happy bunny, a lovely kayak on a hot day, 3 swims, and a cracking bass for tea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
243deer Posted August 13, 2020 Report Share Posted August 13, 2020 I went into my local 'fishmonger' yesterday hoping to buy some mackerel - I would not have fed what was on offer to my cat - they would have made good stinky pot bait though. I guess they get away with selling it to folk who do not know what a fresh mackie looks like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moor man Posted August 13, 2020 Report Share Posted August 13, 2020 yep, if it smells of the sea it's ok if it smells proper fishy (unpleasant )it's bait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted August 13, 2020 Report Share Posted August 13, 2020 3 hours ago, 243deer said: mackerel If it has been out of the water for more than an hour it aint fresh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted August 13, 2020 Report Share Posted August 13, 2020 6 hours ago, moor man said: Had this for tea last night..... Only fish I caught all day but I was a happy bunny, a lovely kayak on a hot day, 3 swims, and a cracking bass for tea! Well done that man 👏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted August 18, 2020 Report Share Posted August 18, 2020 Wish I knew how to fish 😞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynny Posted August 19, 2020 Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 Nice one chris, im on Anglesey next week , doing a bit tight lines flynny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 On 18/08/2020 at 19:53, Lloyd90 said: Wish I knew how to fish 😞 Hello,, its not rocket science Lloyd , you have the Severn Estuary not far from Bristol so the main consideration is knowing the tides , it can be fun fishing off a pier if they allow this or there are places to fish between Avonmouth and Weston, plenty of info on the web and I use to go in Bristol Angling shop, you do not need to spend to much to get a decent set up, just wash the rod and reel in cold water and when dry WD 40, sand eels were a good bait and feathers for the mackerel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetree Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 On 18/08/2020 at 19:53, Lloyd90 said: Wish I knew how to fish 😞 Friend of mine has gone from never having fished to becoming addicted, and rather good, in a short time. Its not as complicated as some would make it out; just know a couple of knots, and have a few diagrams of rig set ups (or just start off lure fishing) and you're off. Head out with friend who can show you the ropes, or stick a request on World Sea Fishing forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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