Mackerel

Apart from being one of the best looking fish pound for pound it’s one of the best fighting fish and great bait for Shark through to Garfish and even Mackerel it’s also good bait for fresh water fish like Pike. Although we don’t see them in great numbers off the beaches of the east coast like the south and south west coast but they do appear during the summer months mainly off the piers and harbour walls, best way to catch them is with a float rig with fine Mackerel strip or spinning this will also catch Garfish that are around in the summer months. I would always advise you having a string of feathers or some spinners in your kit just in case you’re lucky.

Mackerel is an oily fish that gives off lots of lovely scent and blood, although its best used fresh I have heard that Dog fish will take old mackerel but I have not tried it.

Presentation

This depends on what fish you are targeting large baits for large fish,

· a fillet from the side mounted and wiped on a pennel rig for Ray, Tope and Dog fish

· a 1 ½ inch chunk cut through the body and hooked and float fished for Bass

· a ¼ inch sliver float fished for Mackerel and Garfish

· or used as a tip or cocktail bait with worm great for Codling and Whiting

Keep in a cool box when fishing to keep its freshness

Herring and Sprat

Another oily fish but with softer flesh can be used the same as mackerel but I have found it less effective as a sea bait but can be very effective for fresh water predators.