Mackeral Minimum Size limits????

How's the going lads, I was wondering is there a minimum size limit for the retention of mack??? The reason I ask this is I was in a local tackle shop and noticed packets of 3 joey macks! I would estimate the size to range from 24cm to 28cm max! I found this strange as I have never come across macks of this size for sale before.

Any bit of info would be nice cheers folks take care!

As far as im aware there is no minimum size limits!

your right Chris no size limits.

them small joey mac's are mainly used by pike anglers, and i also dont think there is a size limit on them

is there an official size limit to any fish besides bass?? i know the uk do but never heard of any here

Sea trout.

Thanks for the replies lads. I've heard of them being used as deadbait for pike and fresh ones for huss but never seen them on sale before! It just seemed strange that fish of such a small size were being retained in such big numbers!! It doesen't seem right! anyways thanks again for the replies tight lines Chris.

I read somewhere that size limit or not, as soon as humans touch the macks, they are in trouble cos of the acid on our hands

I read somewhere that size limit or not, as soon as humans touch the macks, they are in trouble cos of the acid on our hands

Also heard this before when i was collecting mackeral for an aquarium..was told that your skin burns them. Was told this by the people working in the aquarium so i presume they know what their talking about

As far as I know, when you touch a mackerel you remove a layer of oil (slime) and if it goes back in the sea the salt water burns it. They have very thin skins which need the protection of the oil. If you don't want to keep the mackerel it's best to try and shake it off the hook.

I read somewhere that size limit or not, as soon as humans touch the macks, they are in trouble cos of the acid on our hands

Also heard this before when i was collecting mackeral for an aquarium..was told that your skin burns them. Was told this by the people working in the aquarium so i presume they know what their talking about

There was an excellent thread on the site a couple of years back about this. Really interesting and it led to lads trying to shake them off the hooks once the had enough for bait or food. Lads were even switching t a single spinner and such to get more sport.... Can't find the thread, but if you have the time to search, it would be worth a read. Some good explanation at to what exactly happens

Kev