Mackerel - Fishing Tips required

Yesterday I went to the Hook (Slade side) for a spot of Mackerel fishing. I was joined on the mark by another angler who was catching six to my one. I think he was getting out a bit further than me but I hit mine about 50 yards off so I can only assume it was a depth issue. I'm not sure where mackerel sit in terms of distance down from the surface. I also lost 3 sets of tackle trying to fish deeper. I was thinking about float fishing this to vary height and still get distance. Is this workable? Other anglers seem to lose tackle there as well (judging by the mess) so is this idea off the wall?

So my questions are:

Anybody got a set up that works in this situation (get 100 yards out with a float) and if so what? (I have a 2 to 4 oz rated rod).
Is there a better "set of feathers" than others?

from the shore any kind of flasher rig with a lumi bead above hook should lift mackerel if they are there. mustad shrimp rigs are good too.

for new venues have a look at in at low water for reefs that are close in.
to avoid loosing gear cast out a lead and count the time it takes to reach the bottom ie. a count of ten, when you cast out with your rig on, start reeling in after a count of eight. this should help, if fishing over a long period allow for the rise or drop of tide. if you hook a mackerel take your time reeling in, more often than not there is more than one fish is out there.

I'd say the shrimp rigs are better than good . Have only recently tried them but now they are always the first choice . They outfish the ordinary white feathers at least 2:1 .
Downside is that they are a sod to untangle because the snoods are so light , and the hooks are devilishly sharp so take care when you've got fish flapping about .
But on snaggy ground you can often break off just the one lure without loosing the whole lot . And they take launce and pollack as well ! Try them yourself .

Thanks for the fine info and I'll try both these lures but can anybody answer me the float question?

1. Is floating a worthwhile excercise on very rough ground?
2. Where do mackerel swim (top middle or bottom)
3. If floating is a good idea - what kind of setup would I need to get 100 yards + out?

Thanks,

Morgan.

To answer your question on float fishing. You will cast 50 yds easily with a light line say 10/12lb line. You will also catch mackeral at mid water level. What most people find difficult is how to get your float to sit at 20feet of dept say when you are fishing with a 12 foot rod and the stopper you are using to prevent the line travelling through the slider float is a leadshot weight.

What you need to do is get a big slider sea float that will be visible at this long distance, get a weight which is suitable for the float size you have purchased, make sure you get rubber float stoppers and a packet of beads.

First step is to attach the float rubber to your line which you do by inserting the line into the wire loop which holds the float rubbers and pull the float rubber on to the line.

Second step is to move the float rubber say 20 ft up the line.

Next put on a bead which will stop once it reaches the float rubber.

Next put on your weight drilled bullet or pear shaped bomb weight and then tie on your swivel.

Below the swivel attach your rig.

When you reel the float rubber on to the reel it will not affect your casting and when the float hits the water it will allow the bait to sink to 20 feet.

You can adjust the dept by just altering the positioning of the float rubber.

Hope this is clear. Let me know if you need any more info. on it.

It is a nice way to catch individual mackeral when fishing with strips of mackeral(or any other fish baits) as bait on an indvidual hook rig on light gear.

Good luck.

Donal.

Agree with what Don says, but i made up some floats out of 12" lengths of brush shaft, varnished and sprayed flurescent orange.
Went for miles. :)

Bill

try baiting your mackeral feathers

if you are trying float fishing. use a sliding float like you said and try different depths and places until you find the level the fish are at. To increase the chances gice theline a slow pull every now and again to prompt the fish to bite

How did your quest for ray go Bob?

no success car trouble and studies prevented me from getting out ah well there is always next year..... and I've moved to Dublin for work so next year it'll be a concentrated effort over weekends and hols. I'll be back.

Give me a shout when you return and we'll see if we can't get you one.

Well, could not go fishing off the rocks this weekend due to family commitments - I took my 5 year old with me so it was the beach. I went to Rosstoonstown (?) Why not call it "Bob" or something easier to type :D Anyway I was talking to some others there "oh yeah they will be in any minute now" well we fished and we waited...and waited..and fished....and waited till it was time to take my boy home at 8 O Clock. Went again yesterday......spoke to someone....."oh yeah....fish came in about 8 last night" Aaaaaaaargh. Had to go home again last night at 7 so I can safely assume fish came in at 5 past seven yesterday. Hey this fishing is supposed to be relaxing and stressbusting...I'm more wired after a fruitless days fishing than a week at work! Anyway all things going well might go at 7 tomorrow night and see if I can catch them then......I so love a few fresh mackeral.