Mackerel Fishing 101 Get ready!!!!

[Leif]

The Mackerel fishing is around the corner, and a few Sponsor boats are targeting these little gems this winter. Now is the time to get ready so you can take advantage of this great fishing. The Miss Belmar Princess (Mackerel Express)and Golden Eagle are sailing for them in December and the fishing is great when conditions are good.

Recently I have been receiving some questions on Mackerel fishing and rigs used so I thought I would do a quick post to show what I have been using. All comments additions and other recommendations are welcome.

While Mackerel fishing is relatively simple some methods and rigs do work better than others at times. So keep your eyes peeled and ask the mates as well.

Here are a couple of pictures of some productive Mackerel rigs and some material recommendations so you can make your own.

For the rigs: 3-5 hook Mackerel teaser rig. I like the "Fire Cracker" type rigs(See Pictures). They are easy to make and very flashy. I find these the most productive although the Red surgical tubing rigs work very well. Both can be purchased "ready made".

Use a 6-10 oz sinker to get the rig down to the bottom.Mackerel will often hit on the way down as well and may be found at different depths.(the mates will help you with the proper weight. If it is a fast drift you will need a heavier weight.

Rod/Reel 7 ft 20-40lb rod loaded with 25-40lb test Matched reel/ penn Jigmaster or similar. (Rental rods are fine for this type of fishing)


Be prepared to prepare your catch. Don't keep more than you can handle. TIP/PAY the mates to at least remove heads and gut if that is what you want. It will save you time, and lighten your load. It took me 3 hours after I got home to prepare my fish (250 Mackerel 72 quart cooler full) AND another 2 hours to Vacuum seal the fillets. Bring ice even if it is cold and put a little water in the cooler.

Before I go fishing I make sure I have enough bags, wrap, freezer room and a spot to prepare the fish.


Material list for making Mackerel rigs.

Red surgical tubing (Surgical supply, home depot,)

Clear surgical tubing (aquarium air hose works)

Mylar tubing/ Silver and Gold (you can find this in craft stores)

40-50 lb Leader material

1/0 2/0 2X long shank saltwater hooks

Black barrel swivels 75-90lb

Fire Cracker instructions:

1) Thread Mylar braided tubing over 2/0 2xlong Mustad hook(unravel the end so it sticks out over the bend or the hook a little.

2) Tie in and glue with crazy glue near eye of hook.

3) Cover hook with clear surgical tubing up to bend.

Have fun,

Leif

[AJFISH13]

Im gonna do it again this winter hopefully. Last Feburary when we went me and my dad had nearly 500 mackeral and herring fishing 3 teaser rigs! Capt. Jimmy took me up top to see the screen at the end of the day. From 50' to the bottom the screen was red!

[Ryan W]

I will be doing a trip on the mack express or my usual NS for a half and half deal- I can't use a full day of mackeral, although I might be able to give them all away. I missed last winter, but wanna get in this year. I haven't mack fished since we had a spring run.

[jmurr711]

Leify something fun if i may add.i used to do this all the time when the macks came around more consitently. bring a light-medium spinning/baitcasting set up and some 007-a27 avas or similar size crip or dirty dick. if the boats not crowded and you get your "meat" using the 45 hook teaser rig try the light outfit and the single jig macks fight reallly hard on the light stuff and it can be alot of fun. AGAIN ONLY IF THERE IS ROOM!

[AJFISH13]

Cool Jmurr I might try it. Sounds like fun. They look like they would fight hard on light tackle the way they are built.

[Leif]

Cool Jmurr I might try it. Sounds like fun. They look like they would fight hard on light tackle the way they are built.
They are in the "Tuna" family.

Leif

[sportfishingusa]

you filleted and cleaned 250 mackerel? WOW! your insane. haha

[Leif]

you filleted and cleaned 250 mackerel? WOW! your insane. haha

I know I did.

Leif

[sportfishingusa]

I know I did.

Leif


That's crazy, at least you got cat food for the neighborhood all year, just kidding :p ;)

[Leif]

Does this look like cat food??? LOL

Leif

[howarda780]

Leif: Let me know when you are going. I'll go and fish for your cooler. I love to catch them but, I'm not interested in keeping any.

[the1jonc]

Bump. Getting to be that time.

[Apple Panic]

Having fished for macks several times last year, I have one tip that might allow you to catch more fish.

Avoid being next to guys that have an electric reel and 10-20 hook rig. I am not kidding you. They will wait for that 10th mack and ofter times get hooked up with a dog fish and tangle up your line.

Especially avoid the one with a car battery hooked up to his electric reel. He is trouble :D

--- Harry

[njboarder]

.. or someone with a light sinker..
I've had too many instances where a rig with 5oz sinker and braid came from other side of the boat, and took 4-5 people out at once for good 10-15 mins. By the time I got out, the drift was over.. :mad:
when mack fishing, go heavy, so everyone can drop straight down without tangles..

[Leif]

Electric reels
Babies strapped to backs
Hooks flying in every direction
Cooler Surfing
Frozen fingers
Vomit flying

AHH can't wait!! Hope we get 'em good this year.

Leif

[the1jonc]

Sounds like fun! Let me know when you are going. If we get enough boarders we can form a phalanx against the hordes.

Nice Lizard.

[Leif]

Sounds like fun! Let me know when you are going. If we get enough boarders we can form a phalanx against the hordes.

Nice Lizard.

Now you are talking! NJFISHING ANNUAL MACKEREL TRIP!!! What should we call it???

That is a turtle. I have it in my office. He is trying to get out! Judy won't let him in the house.

I'll be headed to New Hampshire with Howie for Pollock. Hope the macks start when I get back.

Leif

[Capt Jimmy Elliott]

I think its gonna be a late start this year water temp is still in the 50's.

See Ya Soon
Capt Jimmy :cool:

[Chico]

HOw many rigs would you normally go thru on a day trip??? I assume it's the tangles that trash them more than anything??? I have jigged up spanish macs using the straw jigs, and they trash them up quickly.

[SanibelFisher]

I think its gonna be a late start this year water temp is still in the 50's.

See Ya Soon
Capt Jimmy :cool:


I was thinking the same thing. I will still be at the dock when you start your trips in December if you decide to try. I can see the bottom of my bait freezer. Not good.

[Capt Jimmy Elliott]

I was thinking the same thing. I will still be at the dock when you start your trips in December if you decide to try. I can see the bottom of my bait freezer. Not good.

I will be on the Golden Eagle this winter ill save your spot on the PORT Side as usual.. We were pushing for the 17th we ill see what happens.

See Ya Soon
Capt Jimmy Elliott:cool:

[Kevin Bogan]

I approve of this thread.:cool:

[sportfishingusa]

call me when you get in, my cats could use some tasty food and it would be cheaper then buying at the store. baahahahahah :p :D

[Leif]

HOw many rigs would you normally go thru on a day trip??? I assume it's the tangles that trash them more than anything??? I have jigged up spanish macs using the straw jigs, and they trash them up quickly.
Not too many. Just a couple if you are careful. It is really not that bad.

Leif

[Leif]

call me when you get in, my cats could use some tasty food and it would be cheaper then buying at the store. baahahahahah :p :D
You have cats??? The dog like them too. Gives him a nice shiny coat.

Leif

[Leif]

I approve of this thread.:cool:

Kevin, Thanks for the blessing.

Got any mackerel rods for these guys? 7.4 ft
30lb...handle a 12 oz sinker. stiff parabolic action. Longer grip for jigging. Gimble so the rod dosen't swivel around in the holder.

Blue green and silver metalic wraps!!!!

What do you think??

Leif

[Chico]

Thanks for the advice, I do not want to tie up 20 mac rigs, if all I need are a half dozen. When I jig up the spanish macs down south, the bluefish are sometimes in the mix!!! You can go thru a dozen rigs in a day of fishing, easy.

[the1jonc]

Mylar tubing/ Silver and Gold (you can find this in craft stores)


Leif


Leif,

I looked for the mylar tubing at Michaels and they don't have. Do you hav any suggestions where to buy? I have a bunch of tube rigs tied up and made some out of tinsel but I want to try to make the ones you describe.

Can't wait for those Macks.:)

[Sidewinder]

l

[Sidewinder]

http://www.youtube.com/v/NK9XkHNhUDw

[Leif]

Leif,

I looked for the mylar tubing at Michaels and they don't have. Do you hav any suggestions where to buy? I have a bunch of tube rigs tied up and made some out of tinsel but I want to try to make the ones you describe.

Can't wait for those Macks.:)

Suprised Michaels didn't have it. It comes on a roll. You have to remove the cotton/fiber center before using. I heard K MArt and Wall Mart have it in the sowing/craft section.

You can buy it from Orvis on line or maybe Cabelas, but it is more expensive.

You can use tinsel as well. Just tie it to the hook and let some hang out the back.

Leif

[the1jonc]

Thanks.
I will check out the 'Marts.

I did buy some trim ribbon with a tinsel center that came out ok. I will post some pics when I get a chance.

Thanks again for the tips and tricks.

Jon

[SanibelFisher]

I will be on the Golden Eagle this winter ill save your spot on the PORT Side as usual.. We were pushing for the 17th we ill see what happens.

See Ya Soon
Capt Jimmy Elliott:cool:

Do you think you will be running for Mack's next week?

[Leif]

Thanks.
I will check out the 'Marts.

I did buy some trim ribbon with a tinsel center that came out ok. I will post some pics when I get a chance.

Thanks again for the tips and tricks.

Jon
You are welcome Jon. Hope you get out there and get them.

Leif

[Leif]

Won"t be long now!

[SaltLife1980]

Cant Wait!! Wont be to long before they are think out there

[italianfisherman]

dont see it happening this year..

[Leif]

Too bad about the Mackerel fishing this year. Thankfully we had some great sea bass trips this year.

I saw a whole split smoked mackerel in a market near my house for $9.99....ONE MACKEREL!!!

Hope one day the mackerel fishing comes back like it was years ago but I doubt it.

They used to be so thick, you could go out for a half a day and catch all you want. We had a Spring and Winter run and they were big bostons....Now the past few years they have been small. no Spring runs and you have to stay ou there all day to fill the cooler.

Leif

[MrAC1980]

Leif I used to run my old little 19fter out a few miles from Bary Inlet and load up on the big macs in the spring. Haven't done that in YEARSSS!

[MrAC1980]

Hey I know they never came down over the winter, but anyone have any idea where they are currently??

[stevelikes2fish]

Here's an interesting article.

http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/2011/SciSpot/SS1104/

[Leif]

Here's an interesting article.

http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/2011/SciSpot/SS1104/
I saw this too. Thanks for posting. Interesting is right!

Leif

[stevelikes2fish]

I think the environment(water/sea) is going to change a lot near and long term. I had several conversations last year with my fishing buddies. Seemed like every time I went online or through my own experience, I noticed several posting about different fish in areas that was totally out of the norm. Between the Orcas in Jan of 2012 off the coast of N. Carolina chopping at the BFT's being hooked by the charter boats, YFT's being caught in numbers by the bluefish boats here in NJ while at the same time Haddock being caught in numbers last June 3 on a ling trip I was on, mahi mahi being caught on the beach in Sandy Hook, several online pics of the elusive Purple Hake, one of which I caught on a deep water mudhole trip last August 5th. Gray and Golden tiles being caught just this past winter on a local headboat fishing the mudhole area. Red Drum making a strong showing in the surf at Cape May. I know there were several other species of fish during last summer that were also caught. Just seems very odd, seems like mother nature is trying to send us a message.

[Leif]

I think the environment(water/sea) is going to change a lot near and long term. I had several conversations last year with my fishing buddies. Seemed like every time I went online or through my own experience, I noticed several posting about different fish in areas that was totally out of the norm. Between the Orcas in Jan of 2012 off the coast of N. Carolina chopping at the BFT's being hooked by the charter boats, YFT's being caught in numbers by the bluefish boats here in NJ while at the same time Haddock being caught in numbers last June 3 on a ling trip I was on, mahi mahi being caught on the beach in Sandy Hook, several online pics of the elusive Purple Hake, one of which I caught on a deep water mudhole trip last August 5th. Gray and Golden tiles being caught just this past winter on a local headboat fishing the mudhole area. Red Drum making a strong showing in the surf at Cape May. I know there were several other species of fish during last summer that were also caught. Just seems very odd, seems like mother nature is trying to send us a message.

I think you are right.....

“Atlantic mackerel is one of many species shifting their distribution range as a result of changing oceanographic and environmental patterns,” said Hare. "Those include regional temperature changes from year to year and larger scale environmental forces or climate drivers such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO).

Recent studies have indicated a northward shift in distributions of a number of species in this region (Nye et al., 2009), and work by Hare and others in 2010 documents a shift in the distribution and increase in biomass of Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) associated with warming. This latest study on Atlantic mackerel by Hare and NOAA Fisheries co-authors William Overholtz (now retired) and Charles Keith of the NEFSC’s Woods Hole Laboratory in Massachusetts indicates that the changes in distribution are related to both interannual variability in temperature and a general warming trend on the Northeast Atlantic continental Shelf.

Leif