Where is mackerel fished?
The mackerel is found in the north east Atlantic from Norway to Morocco and the Canaries, and in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. In the north west Atlantic it occurs from Labrador to North Carolina.
Where do mackerel migrate to?
North Sea mackerel overwinter in the deep water to the east and north of Shetland and on the edge of the Norway Deep, whereas mackerel found around the western shores move out to the continental slope, over-wintering across a vast area.
Can you catch mackerel from the beach?
Being a highly mobile migratory fish, mackerel like deeper water and any beach, jetty, pier or breakwater that gives you access to deep water is a great choice, particularly if it’s in open ocean.
Where can I find Atlantic mackerel?
Atlantic Mackerel are pretty abundant in most coastal waters of the Northern Atlantic. In North America, you can easily find them along or near the coasts of Labrador up north in Canada, down to the waters of North Carolina. They are, however, a pelagic schooling fish that often migrates.
Can you catch mackerel in August?
But it’s in the warmer months when they can be found in colossal shoals, pursuing bait fish such as sandeels near to shore, making peak summer, autumn and anytime the water temperatures are highest the best time to catch lots of mackerel.
Can you catch mackerel in June?
May-June is the best time to catch mackerel, although they are caught all summer in numbers and larger specimens are sometimes caught in winter.
Where is the best place to catch mackerel?
Mackerel like to hang around close to structures where it’s easier to ambush their pray. Breakwaters, piers and rock marks are good spots to fish for mackerel. When the mackerel are hunting near the surface they are quite easy to spot. Just look for the baitfish jumping at the surface.
What kind of bait do you use to catch mackerel?
The best baits are the shiny ones. The most common bait used to catch mackerel is mackerel themselves. Mackerel strips are excellent baits. You may also want to see my “Setting up a mackerel for bait” guide in the Beginner’s guide section.
How big of a mackerel can you catch?
Depending on the size of your bait, you can go down to a size 4 or even 6. If you want to keep mackerel for the pot or for bait, dispatch them straight away. A firm knock on the head with a priest works best. Another way to dispatch mackerel is to break their neck.
What to do if you catch a mackerel without scales?
All those scales on your hands or cloth are what the mackerel needs to control their temperature and without those scales it will die within a day or two. Either jiggle the hook out while it is on the ground or try to hold it by the top and bottom of the mackerel to unhook it.