Fish types

Hi all,
I have been fishing from a boat around the dalkey area recently. Catching a few mackerel, quite small, so just popping them back into to ocean. I wouldnt mind trying to land a different species at some stage. I was wondering if its a case of taking the boat out a bit futher in order to land something other than mackerel, or is it a case of using different lures. If so can any of you knowledgeable peeps point me in the right direction. Cheers thanks. :?

hi fishfingers
try fishing baited hokkis with rag worm at the back of the island keeping the boat as close to the island as possible 30 to 60 yards the sea bed there is made up of kelp beds and boulders and holds lots of wrasse Pollock whitening and the odd codling bring plenty of extra traces with u cause there is a chance u will lose a few

Grand stuff.

One other thing, How deep should i drop the lure, and could I use slivers of mackerel instead of rag.

try fish the hokkis as close to the bottom as u can without getting snagged u could use mackerel for bait but i find rag to out fish mackerel strips for wrasse and Pollock you should pick up plenty of whitening on the mackerel one other thing make sure u have your wits about u when fishing that close to the island the are lots of boulders just under the surface of the water

Just a little note. I've heard mackerel have a greasy outside layer instead of scales. So when they're handled the layer is rubbed off, which will result in the fish dying when returned to the sea... So the way of releasing them is by holding the hook and try to shake them off. I have had mack in my hands and this seems to be the case.

Just thought if this true, the more people who know the better for the mackerel...

Popped out today to try that mark. But wouldnt you have guessed it, the boat season is finished untill next may. Oh well ill more than likely be putting the rod away for now. :cry: