Mackerel

[Leif]

Any reports. Looks like the macks have gone the way of the whiting in NJ.

I miss 'em and could go for a cooler full.

Leif

[tautog]

Water is at least 5 degrees too warm

[bulletbob]

I haven't seen good fishing for big Bostons in a long time.. They have become a highly regarded species for sashemi from what I have read, and when a fish species is desirable eaten raw, especially overseas in Asian markets, it tends to disappear.. Wiki says their preferred temperature is 52-57, so I am not sure its too warm for them. Could be I guess. In summertime they are caught from docks in bays and coastal rivers in Maine, and the water is in the 50's-60-s up there mid summer.. Personally, I think too many have been netted and eaten.. I hope time proves me wrong... bob

[tautog]

I never caught them here in any number when the water temp was above the high 40s, other than tinkers. The bluefish have to be gone before you will possibly see them. There have to be small sandeels and other bait for them to eat to draw the mackerel inshore.

[loosescrews]

There was a school at the mud dump last Sunday getting torn up by blues. Hooked one on my bare hook while togging out there. Saw em on the screen too.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by tautog

I never caught them here in any number when the water temp was above the high 40s, other than tinkers. The bluefish have to be gone before you will possibly see them. There have to be small sandeels and other bait for them to eat to draw the mackerel inshore.

That does make sense actually... They are not compatible with big schools of stripers and blues in a feeding frenzy, thats for sure.. Was not taking into consideration the fact that in this El Nino year we still have blues, and lots of them.. at Christmas time... I am an old timer, and must admit never remembering blues still around at this late date...I DO recall years past that when the macs showed up in the spring, they would be around thick, until the first blues started to show, and then they were gone quick!

Maybe the macs will show later this winter... or not... bob

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Honger

And white people love hamburgers and there are still plenty of cows left

What's your plucking point ?

Look, stick your head in the sand if you want.. Facts are facts.. Mackerel were hyper abundant for hundreds of years, until recently when people in Asia started eating them raw, and paying big money to do so..They have been decimated here, and across the atlantic as well.
I am not a tree hugger. I am as radical right as they come.However, I grow weary of every year seeing fewer and fewer fish off the coast of NY/NJ.. Someone is catching these fish... They are gone from areas where they were abundant in the extreme..

Here's proof.. just look at the numbers, they should scare you...

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/P...12_031-eng.pdf

[dfish28]

on a happier note for the future, a buddy of mine did a mixed bag trip out in the canyon recently and while deep dropping (600)' was bringing up a decent number of whiting that were inhaling the smaller squids on the way down...

[Gerry Zagorski]

Can we please not turn this into another pissing contest

If you have a different opinion on something state it respectfully.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Can we please not turn this into another pissing contest

If you have a different opinion on something state it respectfully.

My apologies Gerry, just defending my personal observations ,perhaps a tad too vigorously.. Thats why I provided the link .. Not trying to start arguments,that for sure.... bob