Mackerel fishing at Hayling Island

Member Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 36 Location: havant

Last year not a problem, this year I just can't catch a mackerel. I have been told they are about but where? Have tried various tide states, times of day and weather conditions.
If any of you are catching them at Hayling give us a clue to where and when!

Cheers

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:35 pm

Haven't seen many meself mate suggest you try Langstone Harbour entrance starting about three hours after low water - they often come in on the rising tide bomb up the harbour for a while then go back out as the tide starts to fall.

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:16 pm

even out on a boat there not in there normal numbers. hard work and a waist of time chasing them about, but ya cant beat fresh bait.

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 5:05 am

You could try up at Gunner point about half hour after the tide has turned.

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:02 am

Plenty up at Sandy Point, have had them over high and on the ebb. Both times I've been spinning with my dexters this year I've caught more than those feathering for them! They have only been about 25 yards out most of the time.

Good food, good bait and an under-rated fish on light spinning gear.

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:23 am

Don't disagree with Bassmanrob but it's a bit hit and miss at Sandy Point - sometimes they are there and other times not in my experience whereas they nearly always come in to Langstone.

Member Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 36 Location: havant

Thanks guys, will have to give it another bash

Member Joined: Jul 21, 2008 Posts: 35

fished at south parade pier on weds evening. nothing doing for the first 3 hrs but as the sun started to set a massive shoal of mackerel hit the pier. the remaing people left fishing went mad. it was like the gold rush. feathers and hooks were flying everywhere.
at one stage i had 10 mackerel on the line.
the shoal consisted mainly of young joey mackerel so most were returned but there were some good sized fish as well. big grin

Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:26 pm

They were blitzing in Chichester harbour this morning from 5am to 8am when i left the beach.There was a HUGE blitz about mid channel about 1/4 of a mile long,an awesome spectacle.
Had countless bass upto 3.5lb
Well worth getting up for.
Cheers

Member Joined: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 55

Just came back from fishing Hayling, just outside the Life Boat tower.

High Tide was around 8-8.30pm.

Got there just after 6.30pm and sure a small shoal of Mackerel when we arrived.

Then throughout the night there were numerous shoals appearing and disapearing along the beach.

At some stage they were not more than 10yrds from the beach.

Whilst I had no joy, my fishing buddy for the night Bob291 had some joy and landed some nice ones.

Sounds like they may at last be showing up.................touch wood.

Tight lines all.