Nocturnal Mackerel

MJB · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject: Nocturnal Mackerel

The bass fishing's not been great so far this year (just the 2 over 3lb), so the arrival of the Scad shoals has been something I've been looking forward to. Sadly, it looks like the Scad are going to be a bit late this year, going by last nights trip. Went to a banker of a spot for some fish after dark on the fly. Not a single Scad showed, but I did get two bass around 1lb and a huge number of mackerel. I was hoping to fish light with a 6-weight set up, but conditions dictated that it stay in it's tube and the 8-weight was used. Can't grumble when the fish put a good bend in the heavier set up.

I can't understand how people can enjoy using a set of feathers on a beachcaster when the fish provide good sport on light gear. I lost count after 20, but I reckon I had somewhere between 30 & 40 fish by the time I packed up about 0130. Two distinct types of mackerel were caught - The deep bodied, wannabe Bonito which pulled hard in the current and a more slender, torpedo shaped 'ASBO' mackerel which went mental when hooked - jumping, tail walking and trying to rip the rod out of your hand with a rapid change of direction and a good turn of speed. Great fun and hopfully the weather will be better next time and the 'salty-six' can come out to play.

sniggle · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

That looks like fun MJB were you dingy or shore fishing at the time and do you keep the headlight on for the scad and macks i`ve read somewhere that scad are attracted to light is it true as i know the rule is no lights on the water if you want good bass.
As for the light lining for mackerel your right , light spinner is fun and fly is even better but i couldn`t help picturing the scene of 250 people at chesil waiting with their fly rods then the mack shoal shows doing 6 knots downtide............ big grin

MJB · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

The only light I use when fishing is a small 1xAAA maglite for changing flies etc. Scad will respond to a static light and I know people who have hung a tilley lamp down the side of harbour walls to attract fish, but a moving light like a headlamp will spook them. I just try and find a spot that gets some light from nearby piers or roads etc.

eccles · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject:

Man after me own heart MJB, When I arrive at the beach I always move on if there are other gents there with dam great headlights and tilleys. I reckon that's why a lot of night comps don't produce much - there is usually a whole battery of lights along the beach in such situations.