Catching Mackerel for bait

[ReelRider]

Evening all,

Quick question (well a few).
I want to catch some mackerel to use as bait for my years fishing, is May too early?
Also would say taking 15 fish too many or is that taking the micky?
And lastly does anyone know any decent spots for catching mackerel? I would say end of Roker/Shields pier(s) but I've heard this attracts, erm.... not so "cushty belta" types. Is this still the case?

[Kev1n]

May is a bit too early to catch mackeral from the shore round here; the boats will start piking them up then and they will be showing across on the west coast.

15 isn't a great number to take to stock up a freezer.

Most piers and headlands will be worth trying in the summer.

[gow]

mackerel legal limit 30cm north sea 20cm elsewhere have fun

[canman]

I would say the worst time to go to the piers, is when the mackerel first start showing in the catch reports, that's when it is totaly mental with the mess, the der-brains. Best hang back till late August/September for a more peacefull sesion.
15 fish will give you 30 fillets, so depends how much fish you intend to do.
Also, you could ask someone you may know going out on a boat trip who could supply you with a few.

[tonynufc]

get yourself on south shields pier at first light, thats what i do, all the numptys are still in bed then

[Juliogeordio]

I've had mackerel a couple of year ago in may whilst targeting coalies and pollock with lures. Depends on water temp etc... Still its normally a waste of time that time of year and I wouldn't bother.

I'd guess 15 fish will do you all winter depending on how often you fish. I kept about 20 fillets last summer and it lasted me all winter with a fillet coming to go along with my other baits each session. Very underrated bait.

Either get up early like you says to miss the 'crowd' or try fishing rock marks where its normally much quieter.

[ReelRider]

Thanks people shall leave it till mid summer.
I intend to fish a couple of times a month so maybe 10 should do.

[regpude]

10.

Thanks people shall leave it till mid summer.
I intend to fish a couple of times a month so maybe 10 should do.

youll be fishing a couple of times A WEEK,when the mackeral are in lol.dont forget all your family @ friends will want a few to eat {grill}.so youll need alot more than 10.goodluck on your macky bashing,think youlle get iddicted to it lol.

[beachbuddy]

youll be fishing a couple of times A WEEK,when the mackeral are in lol.dont forget all your family @ friends will want a few to eat {grill}.so youll need alot more than 10.goodluck on your macky bashing,think youlle get iddicted to it lol.

Also don't forget to take ya cans,it's thirsty work makie bashin

[paulthespark]

had a hell of a sesh macky bashing from the heugh breakwater last may,it was in the middle of may early one sunny morning, lost count after 20 all caught on a toby lure [no barbs ] and all returned using a sea soacked teacloth when handling the fish.

[ReelRider]

Also don't forget to take ya cans,it's thirsty work makie bashin

Frosty jacks or the high end "blindness not gauranteed" Barn Stormer? Lol

A couple of times a week?? If only life would allow it I'de be there every other day mate.

[Philysafc]

If ya want a quantity for the freezer ( bait or eating ) have a evening sesh on a boat out the Tyne and take a cool box with ice packs in , gut and head them on the boat then vacuum pack them at home ( I've found whole is better ) and they'll keep up to 24 month and still be fine to eat , there just like fresh ( better than the supermarkets ) when defrosted as there only out the sea a few hours before freezing .
Good luck

[dabcatcher]

when going for quantity for the freezer I take my medium sized cool box with an ice block in. I don't gut or behead the fish. once I have about 10 or 15mins passed I quickly knock off the fillets. these are layered in the bottom of the cool box and ice block put on top. this I repeat until the box is full. I can get around 30 sets of fillets in that box stacked tightly. once home any to be kept for bait are wrapped and frozen in pairs, unwashed leaving the blood on. those that will be used for food are boned and washed. again wrapped in pairs. takes up a lot less space in the freezer.