Mackerel and Bass

Steve_640 · #1 02-09-2005, 12:21 PM

Apparently during the summer on a calm day, on the beaches round here, shoals of mackerel will chase whitebait right up to the beach, and that behind the shoals of mackerel there are Bass.

My first question is- What is the best way to catch the mackerel from the beach? I know in fishing terms, mackerel fishing is very much looked down upon, but 1) I like very fresh mackerel and 2) If the Bass are chasing mackerel, it must be a very good bait for them.

My second question is what is the best way to fish for the Bass behind the mackerel.

Thanks Steve.

upnorth1 · #2 02-09-2005, 01:10 PM

try casting a spinner or diving plug into the shoal of whitebait Steve, guarentee you'll hit the mackerel!

As far as the bass are concerned, try in dark hours, keeping the light OFF the water, so as not to spook them! Cast a freshly caught mackerel, or just the head with guts hanging, and then be patient! It is a waiting game i'm afraid, but thats the fun part, when a fish hits ya, it's brilliant.

If you persevere with a diving plug (one with the big tongue), you may be lucky and find a bass, but with that many mackerel (as you say), it may be impossible to avoid them, thats why darkness is best, when the mackerel have moved off into deeper water and stopped feeding.

Hope this solves your problem and good luck...

wellyfish · #3 02-09-2005, 01:24 PM

oh yes steve you are right there mate ,i do plugging for bass around the devon coast and i remember one spot where i could actually see the mackeral and bass in a feeding frenzy ,that was a good day as i was catching mackeral and bass alternitvly for about an hour ..

fishypaul · #4 02-09-2005, 01:32 PM

hi steve,i have experienced the same thing at dungeness,my kids caught mackies the usual way with feathers,i caught my freezer supply in 10 minutes by swinging my feathers out underarm(roach pole style),yes,they were that close.
i started experimenting after that,i caught mackies on spinners,all sorts of bottom baits,floatfishing and even a plug for the bass.
i thought about it,and the only way i think i could have caught bass(if they were about)was to livebait for them,a small joey or a little pouting would do the job,
its something thats worth a try next time you see that tell-tale boil on the beach next summer.

yidonsea · #5 02-09-2005, 01:43 PM

Hi steve.yep you are right loads of Mackerel,whitebait and Bass in the summer down here.You cant help but catch Mackerel !!!! And like i said before im happy to show you some really good marks. If you are free friday night i am fishing off hastings pier.So if you are free you are more than welcome to join me m8.
ILL give you details of what time and that later when i get a chance.
Happy Fishing
Andy

upnorth1 · #6 02-09-2005, 01:52 PM

Just a quick one on this thread guy's....Steve was asking for help and info, if you want to discuss anything else, could you please either PM, or email each other...us Mods and Rich (Admin), had a chat the other day and are concerned that started threads are quickly moving off the subject, organising fishing sessions and the like should be done in the 'going fishing' forum...cheers guy's, just with so many members on-line now, it gets pretty hectic keeping up and reading every new post...thanks for your co-operation fellas

Steve_640 · #7 02-11-2005, 12:02 PM

Sorry for being a bit dim, but whats the usual way with feathers? I am assuming the feathers are attached in a 3 hook flapper arrangement, with an ordinary lead on the bottom. The rig is then cast out and immediately retrieved. Is that the case, in which case should the snoods be attached via booms to stop them getting tangled, or is there some other technique.

Steve

Plod · #8 02-11-2005, 01:27 PM

Steve,
You can buy packs that have between 3 and 6 feathers on hook lengths off the main line. Use less feathers if you have a light rod and line as if you get a full house then 6 mackerel can give you quite a bend! They are crudely made usually and they don't go to the bother of swivels etc but just tie the hook lengths onto the main line. At one end there is a swivel to attach to your line, and the other usually has a loop that you thread through and around your weight, usually an ounce or so.

The manufacturers usually use thick line which negates the problems with tangling. There isn't much finesse with feathering, so light line etc isn't necessary. Basically you throw them out, leave for a few seconds to sink and then jerk, and wind to retrieve.

If unsuccessful, vary the depth you let them sink, until you find the shoals!
Good luck. I take a small gas stove and a frying pan, and cook the fillets while they are still twitching!! Lovely.

Darren

kiwimarty · #9 02-11-2005, 01:28 PM

Steve.......be brave mate and let the feathers hit the bottom. The use a lift, sink and draw method on the retrieve.

Kiwi.

Steve_640 · #10 02-15-2005, 12:14 PM

Thanks Guys,

I will get some feathers some time over the next few months.

I will have to do some research on spinning/plugging for the Bass.

Andy, thanks for the offer, but due to lack of warm dry kit I am afraid that I am abit of a fair weather fisherman, and until my skills with a rod have improved a fair bit, fishing at night would also be asking for trouble. Did you catch anything?
Sundays particularly mornings are best for me if you want to meet up.

Steve.

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