mackerel fishing

BlueBandit

Hill Billy wrote: »

You obviously caught a few after I left. Good meeting you man.

Likewise, didnt get any on Saturday but got down a bit earlier on sunday morning and had a few fish before the place got overrun. Getting manic off the pier there so many people, reckon Ill try my luck along the north strand this evening. Will let ous know how it goes anyway:D

SuperSean11

Any more luck in Howth?

learnerplates

feathers are the answer indeed:p now what to do with the mackeral!

The Hill Billy

learnerplates wrote: »

feathers are the answer indeed:p now what to do with the mackeral!

Eat them or put them back. Personally, I only catch what I or friends & family will eat (& a couple for bait).

World's Simplest Mackerel Recipe:
Prepare the fish by removing head & guts, & rinse.
Simmer in pot of water for 7/8 minutes.
Serve with malt vinegar & white pepper.
Delish!

Mackyboy

Iam doing to try that Mackerel dish, it looks so easy, thanks HB
is there lots of ways to cook mackerel, if so can someone send more reciepes

cheers
MB

SuperSean11

Mackyboy wrote: »

Iam doing to try that Mackerel dish, it looks so easy, thanks HB
is there lots of ways to cook mackerel, if so can someone send more reciepes

cheers
MB

Heres loads of recipes
http://www.cookitsimply.com/category-0020-0c102.html

Mackyboy

Cheers for that website

MB

Cormdogg

Gut it, clean it,throw it on the bbq, Nicest fish in the sea!

learnerplates

Hilly Billy,
thanks for the website. I'll catch a few tomorrow and give them a go, they have to be cooked immediately I'd say as they smell like hell. Taste similar to cooked sardines I'd imagine, be nice grilled for sure.

The few I have in the freezer I hope to use s bait, I'm not sure how or for what yest, pike like them I know but I won't be freshwater fishing for a while. Any recommendations?

jimi_t

They're great eating fish but annoyingly boney - they're a member of the Tuna family IIRC. Great way to do them is to fry them in yellow meal (as long as you don't mind stinking out your kitchen - you can either take a fillet off either side or cut the belly out of them.

In terms of catching them, experience points toward dark green feathers as being the single most effective lure. Black feathers are exceptional as well, but you bring up a load of pollack with them, especially rock pollock, which can get very annoying after a while. They will (and have gone) for bare hooks before - but always sand down or use fresh jigs as they don't go for rusty ones. (Someone here said white feathers? I find them great for codling, sometimes even Wrasse, but never mackerel)

Tbh, those hokai and 'deep sea' rigs are pretty useless, as are ragworm. I've caught maybe 3 mackerel off a spinner - If I'm casting using light gear off a pier or rocks I'll generally use a heavy sprat spoon in lieu of a weight - but would definitely not recommend them as your primary lure. A cheap set of feathers and you're flying - cut about half the feather off though, smaller feathers catch more fish.

A few things worth noting is the turn of the tides (esp in late evening during august) is when they tend to congregate near the head of piers, off rock outcroppings etc... Compared to a lot of other fish, they prefer shallower waters - about 3 metres I think - so if you're planning to stay in the same spot casting you'd do well to mark your line.

Another nice trick is to clip off the bail arm when you've one hooked. I use red line so I can approximate where the shoal is when he starts swimming back. I've often got five or six fish on a four hook jig as they get snagged and caught up in the line when the panicked fish swims back to join the shoal. Be careful though as you can often lose the original fish.

Gannets are great indicators, as are seals sitting out enjoying the fine evening Unfortunately, the little feckers are damn fast - more than once have I reeled up to find only half a mackerel, still flapping, and my weight gone.

jimi_t

learnerplates wrote: »

Hilly Billy,
thanks for the website. I'll catch a few tomorrow and give them a go, they have to be cooked immediately I'd say as they smell like hell. Taste similar to cooked sardines I'd imagine, be nice grilled for sure.

Take two fillets off them and leave them somewhere cool in a bowl of fresh water. You've about 36 hours to eat them, no more (although fresh fresh mackerel is superb). If you've had tuna, they're quite similar - more of a 'meaty' taste than any other fish.

The few I have in the freezer I hope to use s bait, I'm not sure how or for what yest, pike like them I know but I won't be freshwater fishing for a while. Any recommendations?

Take strips off them, *small* strips, skin intact. They'll catch other mackerel quite well but dogfish go crazy for them - to the extent that you'd really want to secure your rod. I've managed to catch plaice and dab before when I set a spiller out with them (two buoys with a row of hooks), but I'm not sure how effective it'd be normally.

blue4ever

Bizzar tip - works but....

Gut can clean them –when you land. But then rince the fillets and clean them in the Sea water. When you fry them they are not half as oily as then would be if all that’s is done at home.

(they are excellent on a bar-b-que!!)

Cormdogg

I say use white feathers! Caught plenty on white feathers but if they're there they'll take anything so maybe Im wrong, I always cut my feathers down to three unless Im deep sea in the boat and the finder says theyre below me. thats the only time for 5 or 6. Or if you're a skilled caster (I am not) and have a huge beach caster.

Had Mackerel for my tea yesterday. Two casts in the rain in Dun Laoighre yesterday, 3 Mackie on each, job done,went home barely even wet! Two in the freezer for bait, Made 4 neat butterly fillets (harder than it looks), put them meat side down on a couple of sheets of kitchen roll, (sometimes after a good rinse too much water gets into the meat and it tastes a bit watery). Put them skin down on the grill, bit of salt.bit more black pepper under the grill about 5 min. On the plate with cider vineger,Amazing! I love them fried whole or fillet but my pan is a sticky and the grill makes the pepper from a lovely light crust on top.

Mackyboy

How long can you keep Mackerel in the freezer, if you intend to eat them.
coz some people say not too long.

cheers

Macky Boy

jimi_t

Cormdogg wrote: »

Had Mackerel for my tea yesterday. Two casts in the rain in Dun Laoighre yesterday, 3 Mackie on each, job done,went home barely even wet!

Whereabouts exactly were you fishing. Never fished on the east coast before, wouldn't mind giving it a shot as I'm in Dublin most of the summer.

Cormdogg

I have been a long suffering Dublin fisherman for a while,Theres no amazing spots like on the west or south east. A few spots I go to are:Dun Laoighre,Bottom fishing with mackerel strips or lug worm at the first elbow of the east pier,with the construction work and walkers make it almost impossible to cast out spinners or feathers on the east pier on the inner side but the end of the pier on the sea side you can get mackerel and pollack if you can get a good cast,can be a bit snaggy. The west pier is less walked and you can get good casts out to sea and in the harbour,thats where I was yesterday. If you can get a boat in Bulloch-brilliant,good fishing.The Geystones pier is good and also beach fishing if you walk about 20 along the railway past the driving range. Avoid at all the costs the rocks at bulloch and colliemore harbour,very snaggy and lots of seals.There is a park further past colliemore thats supposed to be a good spot but never tried it. Never treid Bray and Killiney Beach is to be good for beach casting. If you drive, hop in your car and head an hour away to Court Town in Wexford.

Cormdogg

I would never eat defrosted Mackerel but alot of people do,they never smell or taste right.Always gut them before they go in the freezer.Id keep a fresh gutted one in the fridge for 2 days wrapped up and eat it no probs.

Degsy

Trying to catch mackies where they're being caught is the most headwrecking experience in the world.Howth for example,there could be up to 20 people casting away,another 100 watching and keeping up a running commentary and usually a fair few drinking and/or playing music.I'm seriously thinking about buying a small boat,heading out,catching the fish and sticking them on the bbq and inviting everybody round.Last year clogher head peir had just reopened so nobody but a few of us were fishing,caught a laod of macks..it was great.Two weeks later it looked like a lidl photoshoot,there was so many snags it caused more snags and the amount of spectators just took the good out of it.On the upside,Tandoori Mackerel is a feat fro the Gods.In an asian shop buy some tandoori mix,slit the fish both sides and rub the seasoning in,barbeque the fish ...wonderful!

jArgHA

Mackerel is without doubt my favourite fish to eat, I just can't get enough of them. I had a friend who worked on mussel rafts out in Kinvara Bay who used to eat mackerel for breakfast, lunch and dinner for weeks on end

Unfortunately I'm yet to catch a mackerel this year Has anyone been catching off the Cork coast yet and if so where? I have tried Roches Point 3 times and Crosshaven once in the past month or so with no joy as of yet.

In late May I was mackerel fishing in Inis Oirr (Co. Galway) and after an hour's fishing gave the rod to a friend while I took a cigarette break, on his 2nd cast he catches 3 mackerel - Hehe sometimes the luck just goes against you.

I generally gut and clean caught mackerel at the fishing spot, within half an hour of landing. My favourite way to eat them then is making a honey & mustard mix which is brushed over the 'meat' side of the mackerel, which is opened to its two 'halves', and then putting it in the grill until cooked through. Then devour with lemon juice.

Recently I've been trying Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's method of preparation which is essentially just pat the fish dry with tea towel, season the fish with salt & pepper, leave aside for a while to take in the seasoning (eg. 15-20 minutes), then massage olive oil in the skin of the fish and barbeque (without filleting/flattening out the fish - it is just gutted with head and tail removed) with plenty of bay leaves tucked into the belly cavity - also delicious! If trying this it is very important that your barbeque's bars are hot before putting the fish on top, and it is essential that you do not move the fish once you have placed it on the grill bars until it is ready to be flipped (3-5 minutes). Massaging the olive oil into the skin of the fish (just a small bit it shouldn't be dripping) is crucial to prevent the fish sticking to the grill bars, when turning take a 'run up' along the bars with a suitable spatula.

dodgyme

Cormdogg wrote: »

.Always gut them before they go in the freezer..

i freeze mine whole (not gutted) soon after catching them and gut them before they are fully defrosted. Havent noticed any real difference in taste.

Glydeside white

Mackyboy wrote: »

I was in Greennore yesterday, there were about 6 people fishing. I was talking to one chap, he had 3 mackerel between 1pm and 5pm (he was the only one to catch. So their slowly on their way in lads.

Anybody know how Clogherhead is doing

MB

Yeah i was just curios about that, how is greenore doing is it any good at the minute , did you catch anything yourself?? Theres some lovely bass to be had up there too!

Cormdogg

Plenty of Mackerel caught off the rocks at Dalkey past colliemore yesterday again not by me!(WTF!). I have yet to replace my shattered beach/pier rod and I was using a borrowed spinning rod which was too short and too flexible so my casts wern't going where I wanted them. After 4 arm straining hours and about 20 quids worth of gear tangled up somewhere I borrowed some bait and got a doggie,a dab,a pollock and a starfish!

Anyways everyone else there had a bag full of delicious macks!

Went on ebay today to restock my bare tackle box.Pretty sweet deals on feathers and swivels.

Cormdogg

Victory!

At last Dalkey rocks yield some Mackerel for me! Using a flimsy Lidl, telescopic Carp rod! My friend using his own (jinxed) spinning rod got none!

Then on the same rod with the Mackerel as bait, I caught a fairly decent doggie, twice as big as Mondays, it was a real wrestle on the carp rod and I thouraghy enjoyed it.Even had to get it away from a hungry seal (which I first thought was shark of some sort, dont laugh) . Was using my home made rigs for the first time too. I was beaming. Had a half past midnight Mackerel grill too, Victory!

Me mate dropped his phone in a rock pool too! ha!

Mackyboy

Glydeside white wrote: »

Yeah i was just curios about that, how is greenore doing is it any good at the minute , did you catch anything yourself?? Theres some lovely bass to be had up there too!

No I wasn't fishing myself, just went for the spin. As for now i've not been there in a couple of weeks, I must try again.

Can you tell me how to catch the bass up there, the best methods.

Cheers
MB

seandugg

For mackerel would you stick a german spratt on the top or better off using a weight? what other fish would you get using feathers with the german spratt if fishin of a pier?

pullandbang

Spent an hour either side of high tide last night (Monday) on the back of the pier in Clogherhead and blanked. So did the other half dozen peolpe there so no sign of any macks yet.:mad:

Glydeside white

Mackyboy wrote: »

No I wasn't fishing myself, just went for the spin. As for now i've not been there in a couple of weeks, I must try again.

Can you tell me how to catch the bass up there, the best methods.

Cheers
MB

Well i would normally just use a spinner like this one.[URL="javascript:popupWindow('http://www.seafishingsupplies.co.uk/popup_image.php?pID=182')"][/URL]


These are brilliant for catching bass, aslo the sand eel

[URL="javascript:popupWindow('http://www.seafishingsupplies.co.uk/popup_image.php?pID=371')"][/URL]

is good too. Just cast it out reel it in and hope for the best

Popanddrop

Good numbers of Mackerel coming from the bridge in Kinsale, Co.Cork if anyone is interested.:D

TheAlmightyZeus

Went fishing out in one of the boats in Dalkey about 3 years ago with my bro. Threw out a big hook with half a mackerel on it just incase anything was interested. Then just used handlines for a few hours, nothing bit on the half mackerel but the we took in about 40 mackerel, great day. Gutted them all that day and we were set up nicely for a few weeks!

Remember another time fishing off the end of the West pier where I brought in about 6 or 7 mackerel, within about 30 seconds of of landing two at once, 4 old women came over, whipped plastic bags out of their handbags and asked if they could have some. Since I'm a nice guy I gave them a few and they were soon on their way.

Popanddrop

Always nice to share your passion for fishing by helping someone else out.:D

Degsy

Popanddrop wrote: »

Always nice to share your passion for fishing by helping someone else out.:D

I caught 20 odd in Clogherhead last year and gave a load away to my elderly neighbours on both sides.Me and the GF ate about 6 of them between us on the barby and then i wished i hadnt given the rest away.It was nice though when the lady next door confided that she and her hubby had eaten the lot that day instead of freezing some as was the original plan.

Popanddrop

Again its always nice to hear that you helped someone out by giving away some of your catch for free. Just as a general note, its a nice idea to give away a few mackerel but when doing other types of fishing only keep what you are going to eat yourself so that our fish stocks are some what preserved. Also I see that maybe must of you only use feathers and spinners to catch mackerel, does anyone go float fishing for them? Its a great way to catch a few fish and much more exciting to see the float go under and if you are at the right place at the right time you will catch just as many fish as anyone else.+ you have the added bonus of maybe picking up some different species.

Degsy

Popanddrop wrote: »

Again its always nice to hear that you helped someone out by giving away some of your catch for free. Just as a general note, its a nice idea to give away a few mackerel but when doing other types of fishing only keep what you are going to eat yourself so that our fish stocks are some what preserved. Also I see that maybe must of you only use feathers and spinners to catch mackerel, does anyone go float fishing for them? Its a great way to catch a few fish and much more exciting to see the float go under and if you are at the right place at the right time you will catch just as many fish as anyone else.+ you have the added bonus of maybe picking up some different species.

I only started feathering last year,before that i'd fish a strip of squid or mackerel under a float,usually about 12 ft depth.TBH i find feathering too much like hard work,if the fish are there its a great way of landing loads but if its a slow day a float is much more fun..you wont wear yourself outr casting and retrieving and chances are it'll pay off.I agree with you,nothing gets the heart pounding faster than watching a big old jif-lemon float vanish from sight.Fishing should be about relaxing as well as catching!

Popanddrop

True very True. I only use feathers when I am at a rock mark and I need fresh mackerel quickly.

prentice

Hear a lot of lads saying that when there are mackeral about you will catch them with anything if you can reach them.
This is mostly true.. 90% of the time.

Just curious to hear if anyone else has experienced a shoal of mackeral breaking the durface, a bit like farmed salmon been fed.

When they do this, they wont take any single thing.

It may be a phenomenon you only see out in a boat. I grew up in the bows of a currach...

Popanddrop

I have expericed this but have found it one of the most preductive times to catch mackerel, you wont catch them straight off the surface but cast a spinner into the shoal or just beyond and your gaurnteed a hook up.:)

pullandbang

Popanddrop wrote: »

I have expericed this but have found it one of the most preductive times to catch mackerel, you wont catch them straight off the surface but cast a spinner into the shoal or just beyond and your gaurnteed a hook up.:)

I'd agree - saw this one evening last year in Clogherhead and cast as close as I could to them. Caught fish each time. Took 22 home that night, gave 6 each to two friends and kept the other 10. Me and the missus ate well that week.

Bit off the track, but a couple of weeks later she bought "fresh" mackerel in our local SuperValu. They tasted nothing like the ones I caught myself. We were able to compare like with like because we could still remember the taste of the fresh ones.

Popanddrop

Fantastic, speaking of mackerel, I just finished eating one now, but not the european one, it is a Scierra/Spanish Mackerel, weighted about 3 pounds, small as the get but theres nothing like trolling for them. Just incase anyone is wondering I am in Panama for 3 months June-August on a fishing trip, fishing on my fathers charter game boat(known as Panama Fishing Safari`s). Out hear the fishing was unreal, even caught a nice dorado by sight casting to it, in just 10metres of water just 80 yards from the shore.

yop

Lads,
Going out Saturday week for the annual fishing trip, been BRUTAL last few years, caught a couple of dogs, caught a few mackerel.
Can anyone give me a idea off Ebay link below what might help me

Thanks very much

http://sports.search.ebay.ie/mackerel_Fishing_W0QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQdfspZ17QQfromZR2QQfrtsZ200QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZ14104QQsaobfmtsZinsif

A-Trak

Anyone been out or had any success in Bullock Harbour so far?

Was planning on heading out, renting a boat and getting some mackeral for the baitbox.

adonis

anyone know of good spots in sligo to fish for mackerel?

pullandbang

Popanddrop wrote: »

I am in Panama for 3 months June-August on a fishing trip, fishing on my fathers charter game boat(known as Panama Fishing Safari`s). Out hear the fishing was unreal, even caught a nice dorado by sight casting to it, in just 10metres of water just 80 yards from the shore.

Jammy git................................

There's no smiley face for jealousy but if there was............

The only consolation is you're missing all the fantastic weather we're having. 25 degress every day, clear blue skies, gentle breezes. it only rains between 2.30am and 5.00am - just enough to water the lawns and keep the rivers topped up. :D

Degsy

yop wrote: »

Lads,
Going out Saturday week for the annual fishing trip, been BRUTAL last few years, caught a couple of dogs, caught a few mackerel.
Can anyone give me a idea off Ebay link below what might help me

Thanks very much

http://sports.search.ebay.ie/mackerel_Fishing_W0QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQdfspZ17QQfromZR2QQfrtsZ200QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZ14104QQsaobfmtsZinsif

White 3 hook feathers should do ya,you really dont need anything fancy or expensive.Chances are you'll lose a few too so keep em cheap i reckon!

Popanddrop

pullandbang wrote: »

Jammy git................................

There's no smiley face for jealousy but if there was............

The only consolation is you're missing all the fantastic weather we're having. 25 degress every day, clear blue skies, gentle breezes. it only rains between 2.30am and 5.00am - just enough to water the lawns and keep the rivers topped up. :D

Not what I have been hearing, its all rain in Ireland, but here in Panama its 31 degrees on average and it rains for 1 hour a day due to the tropical climate.:D The word Panama means abundance of fish.:)

superbluedub

anyone know any good spots for mackeral in nw donegal

jasonh

whats the story like for catching mackeral in newquay/blackhead and galway at the mo?

Has anyone tried catching bass in Oranmore????

ta

j

stevecrow74

jasonh wrote: »

whats the story like for catching mackeral in newquay/blackhead and galway at the mo?

Has anyone tried catching bass in Oranmore????

ta

j

loads of mack north clare at the moment.. bass in oranmore... good luck:eek:

you'll find them further west alright ballyvaughan has a small population, newtownlynch has an even smaller population of them... they were netted to near obliteration in the bay up until a few years ago, i wouldnt be supprised if its still going on in the bay to be honest

adonis

was fishing today in clogherhead...no mackerel!

HeatLoad

No mackerel anywhere around Cork unless you go after them in a boat. The blue pool in Clare swarming with them as usual but dangerous place to fish (too many lifes lost the council dynamited the cliff to try to stop people going down - so now they go down on ropes). Very dangerous if you don't know it. A lot of eastern europeans being swept off there, just not used to the sea I suppose. Dunlickey a bit safer - just. Mullaghmore in Sligo good at the moment too. I can't remember a worse year for mackerel - global warming or what?

Degsy

HeatLoad wrote: »

I can't remember a worse year for mackerel - global warming or what?

No,its just the poxy weather we've been having.they may be inshore but they wont bite if the water's murkey because they hunt by sight.