Mackerel

Joined: Jul 24, 2007 Posts: 1

Can anyone advise me where to catch mackerel from the shore around dorset. Ive allready tried abbotsbury and hengistbury with no luck.

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 6:08 pm

The Stone Pier at Weymouth (The one below Nothe Fort). Float-fished Mackerel strip at about 11' depth, last two hours of the flooding tide.

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:01 pm

Hi, about the only thing iever catch is mackeral and then only at Burton Bradstock, many of them are too small but 1 in 10 is bigger enough for the plate.
I have been using feathers (why they called feathers if they are silver foil round a hook? and yes i knw some of them are real feathers but foil, feathers) and fishing in the evening.
How do i catch Bass?

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:17 pm

Try Westbexington.
This stretch of Chesil beach is usually alive with mackerel, fair numbers of bass there too. Mind you, the beach tends to have a very strong fishy smell about it, due to the untold numbers of mackerel heads and guts that are left on the shingle by anglers after gutting their catch. Still, this venue can produce bumper catches; very early morning or late evening are the best times to fish.
Rigwise, use Mustad tinsel lures and an 85gm dexter wedge (instead of a plain lead).

Tight Lines.

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:16 pm

Chesil just on Portland opposite the fuel tanks..... loads there

Me and the good wife caught 82 in 2 hours and all a real good size....

dont worry all, even though we caught a lot, none where wasted, we only fish for food and winter bait and not to waste

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:52 am

Why this constant obsession with mackerel? They are too easy to catch so no real challenge. They do not taste that wonderful (give me indigestion). Some folk think it's great to catch loads of them which is just pure greed and just as bad as commercial over-fishing. When are some of you going to grow up and do some proper sport?

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:04 am

eccles wrote:

Why this constant obsession with mackerel? They are too easy to catch so no real challenge. They do not taste that wonderful (give me indigestion). Some folk think it's great to catch loads of them which is just pure greed and just as bad as commercial over-fishing. When are some of you going to grow up and do some proper sport?

On the right tackle they're great sport. Brilliant fun on a fly rod or light float gear. As for the taste, it probably says more about your culinary skills than anything else. I'm guessing you don't bleed them out and enjoy them when fresh.

Perhaps you could enlighten us as to what you consider proper sport as having read your recent comments on Smoothound you wouldn't know sporting fish if they slapped you round the face with a wet kipper.

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:37 am

eccles wrote:

Why this constant obsession with mackerel? They are too easy to catch so no real challenge. They do not taste that wonderful (give me indigestion). Some folk think it's great to catch loads of them which is just pure greed and just as bad as commercial over-fishing. When are some of you going to grow up and do some proper sport?

Disagree. I think mackerel are delicious if cooked when very fresh. Also very good for you being an oily fish.

Also having read some of your posts Eccles, it's clear you have been fishing for quite a time and know what you're doing when targeting different fish. For we newbies we want to catch something easy just so we can learn our trade - like how to cast, where to go, what tackle to use, how to play a fish, how to unhook it etc. To use a golfing analogy, you don't use a driver when you shank a seven iron.

Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:15 pm

As i said in my post, we did catch loads, but they do not go to waste, so there fore not over fished...

as for the taste.... they taste real good if cooked right and are in poular demand......

Member Joined: Jan 12, 2007 Posts: 39 Location: Havant

MJB wrote:

eccles wrote:

Why this constant obsession with mackerel? They are too easy to catch so no real challenge. They do not taste that wonderful (give me indigestion). Some folk think it's great to catch loads of them which is just pure greed and just as bad as commercial over-fishing. When are some of you going to grow up and do some proper sport?

On the right tackle they're great sport. Brilliant fun on a fly rod or light float gear. As for the taste, it probably says more about your culinary skills than anything else. I'm guessing you don't bleed them out and enjoy them when fresh.

Perhaps you could enlighten us as to what you consider proper sport as having read your recent comments on Smoothound you wouldn't know sporting fish if they slapped you round the face with a wet kipper.

Must admit I found the post by eccles very condescending to! Not all of us have the time the money or the equipmemt, knowledge or skill level to fish for specific species

Perhaps instead of deriding the "average" anglers efforts you could perhpas do something more constructive such as offer to teach us the finer points of angling on the beach .... rather than look down at us from up high :roll:

Member Joined: Dec 07, 2006 Posts: 66 Location: West Wight

Mackerel

Great fun, great taste, healthy for you, great bait.
Don't be greedy, Don't be snobby

Just Enjoy :lol:

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:59 am

OK, OK, I unreservedly apologise to anyone who feels offended by my comment oh, and BTW I am always happy to help anyone who would like some tips, although I do not consider myself to be an expert. In fact I have recently been showing the ropes to an old friend who has recently taken up the sport and frequently help kids who try to have a bash on Hayling. Actually I do not always get it right - have been trying to catch sole in the last few weeks and so far have only two small ones hooked. Also, (so you can have a laugh at my expense) I hooked a biggish bass the other night and lost it through not tying the hook on well enough! I still consider mackerel to be easy meat however and usually just take 3 or 4 for bait before moving on.

Member Joined: May 31, 2006 Posts: 11

I got fed up going to Weymouth and not catching mackerel so last weekend I went and didn't catch bass fo a change! :lol:

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:35 pm

First I knew Weymouth was any good for fishing, not that I know the area but Portland has always looke more of a prospect to me.

Member Joined: Jan 12, 2007 Posts: 39 Location: Havant

Jonno wrote:

I got fed up going to Weymouth and not catching mackerel so last weekend I went and didn't catch bass fo a change! :lol:

Well if its any consolation I went to Cornwall a short while ago and didnt catch any Great Whites either :lol: