to go night fishing Mackerel you first need to understand the species. Young mackerel feed on microscopic copepods. As they grow, they feed on progressively larger prey. Adults will eat any fish smaller than themselves, feeding heavily upon
small herring, sand lance and young mackerel. They also consume a variety of invertebrates such as copepods, crab larvae, squid and shrimp.
Fishing Season May-September Angling Tips
Atlantic mackerel can be found anywhere along the shore, from deep water to shallow bays. Anglers fish for them from boats or shoreline sites such as piers, jetties,
bridges and beaches.
Some may be caught holding in structure such as old ship and plane wrecks A medium spinning rod rigged with 15 pound test monofilament line
is best for casting, although adventuresome anglers may use medium or light action spinning rods with a single 1 ounce mackerel jig (a good quality jig is a Bridgeport by Bead Tackle
Co.) or a saltwater fly rod rigged with a streamer.
Any metal lure that resembles a sand eel or other bait fish can be used when casting (for example a miniature Hopkins,
Kastmaster, or leadhead or even small plugs). also see wreck bait and tackle below.for more details about the mackerel vist our Mackerel Habitat
web page.
Many anglers fishing from a boat use a mackerel tree, which is a small diamond jig preceded by several 1/0 surge tube worms. These can be different colors or silver with red
tips. The tree is jigged so that it resembles a larger fish chasing small bait fish.Typically the jig is dropped down 6 to 12 feet, lifted with a jerk, allowed to settle, this action should be repeated
at a rapid pace.Mackerel can also be pursued with bait such as sand eels, sea worms, squid or small fish on long shank hooks with on line sinkers. this method works great while night fishing
for mackerel. submerging a underwater fishing light works best. Mackerel strike hard and them momentarily release the bait before attempting to swallow it. Therefore, the greatest success is achieved by setting the hook on the second strike.
Mackerel lose their flavor rapidly if they are not kept cold. Fish should be iced immediately upon capture. You may want to try marinating mackerel in citrus juices to lighten
the full flavor that the oil imparts to the fish. Marinated mackerel that has been cooked skin down on a covered grill provides the angler with a pleasurable ending to a day's
successful fishing. Another way to prepare mackerel is first remove the head and tail, then split the fish down the back stopping just after entering the body cavity. The fish will
spread open, remove the entrails, wash the insides, cover the flesh with 1/8 real mayonnaise, grill first the flesh side then the skin side for about 10 - 15 minutes.
Saltwater Structure And Wreck Fishing
The term Wreck fishing is when you fish rough bottom, artificial reefs, and shipwrecks. The methods and descriptions are generic and can be used for all saltwater areas and locations.
This section highlights on fishing specific species but more specific information about individual fish speciesis is available elsewhere on this site. Finding good structure is trickly
buisness and takes some research and practice. But with practice you can become a good fisherman. Depending on where you plan to fish or where you are located, there is allot
of public information on where old ship wrecks and plane wrecks are located.
This type of structure will hold many different species of fish. One of the best ways to find wrecks when you
first get stated is to follow the charter captians, if you pull up to a wreck and the charters are pulling in fish, stop and try your luck. Make sure you document the gps location so you
can come back at a later date.Today, you can find information about wrecks from many sources, there are books, webpages, and user forums to aid you in finding good fishing
spots.
An easy structure to seach for on the internet are artificial reef locations. When you are night fishing for mackerel at these locations
you can incewase your chances of success by submerging a Underwater Fishing Light source.
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These Locations are widely published and many of the structures are large and easily found. When you locate a wreck don't
drop anchor right away. Make three or four passes around the wreck in a circling mothing documenting depths so you can determine the layout of the wreck . There maybe
many brocken pieces around the main wreck that will hold fish too. Also make sure you monitor your sonar to make sure fish are there. some wrecks are only seasonal.
Also your sonar can give you clues as to the type of fish species that is located at the wreck.
Bait And Tackle
You need to prepare before you make your trip. Do some research as to what live bait is best to bring along. I recomend you use medium to heavy action rods with conventional reels. Make sure all your tackle is saltwater quality. I use 30lb spiderwire line.
I recomend you make up some quick change leader about 24 long that can easily be replaced when you get a snag. tie on a swivel clip on your main line that way you can change
or replace rigs quickly. make sure your rig has has the sinker on the bottom and a #4/0 hook about 18 above it. Make sure the rig at the top has a hangmens noose type clip. These rigs work if you are night fishing for
mackerel too.
Before any trip I catch good live bait for the trip. Live Fish Bait to see how I catch the live bait click on the link that says live fish bait.
Different fish species take different baits. for example, mackerel feed on small herring, squid and shrimp,Tautog like hard crabs or clams. Trout eat only squid or clams. for fresh
cutbait cut up into strips, Dolphinfish, skipjack tuna or false albacore. Sea bass will bite on any bait, but Squid is the basic sea bass bait. if you are going for
larger sea basS then you need to fish with large cut bait strips. The larger sea bass will be located in the schools of smaler fish. The smaller fish may pick at your large
strip baits but they cannot swallow it. Larger fish will hold back until they see larger baits. You won't catch as many fish, but they will all be of the larger sizes.
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