Mackerel ???

[Norfolkboy]

Does anyone know the best place to catch mackerel around Norfolk? I've tried around Pakefield and Gorelston pier, but just can't catch them from the shore.

I'd love to know where everyone catches theres around here....

Cheers in advance

[kiwimarty]

Dan, as you know i don't know your area too well but the piers in the summer should be good.

Fish a light float on one of ya carp rods mate at a depth of around 12 to 15 feet. Bait should be Mackerel but if you find this is not working for you try some live sandeel if you can get them or the ammo stuff is really good. Fish with a size 2 or 1 hook for best results and give the float some movement from time to time. If you catch only Garfish drop the depth you are fishing about 3 feet, this should put you amongst them.

They are great sport mate.

Kiwi.

[Norfolkboy]

Thanks Kiwi, wouldn't mind getting into some gars too though

Roll on summer....

[Simon TorbayFishing]

It's also worth looking out for the tell tale tells of water disturbance and sea gulls hovering about. Mackerel can travel in very large numbers so always have a couple of feather rigs set up and ready to go at a moments notice.

If you're on a pier the mackerel tend to stay quite close to the wall. Last year the water was clear enough to see them in the water and the majority of the time they were only 2 to 10 yards off the wall.

As for the bait as Martin said using mackerel as bait is perfect and all I'll add is to hook the top thin bit and let it dangle down. The mackerel will swim up and take it pretty much every time so they will close their mouth around the exact point the hook is. You only need a small piece but change it constantly as it loses its smell pretty quickly. I change it every 15 minutes in the summer.

If I don't have any mackerel myself I buy it whole and after I've cut the pieces up I put everything back in the bucket including the head etc which I won't be using. This keeps them soaked in their own juices which I think helps keep the smell going.