Early mackerel appearance

[spindlefist]

While out on the kayak the other day, I trolled the waterwolf just to see if any fish about, managed to spot these lads, well within casting distance of shore, maybe 70yards off the rocks.

https://youtu.be/Gp7oltyoinQ

[johnwest]

I wonder did they ever actually leave?

[m.b3]

you might be right there i have caught them every month of the year locally although it's not reliable!

[GKC0806]

From the video imagery it's apparent that your leader (is that wire?) is highly visible to these highly observant eye-sight oriented predators.
Perhaps consider converting to a Flourocarbon leader - 15-20lbs would be more than adequate to cover most fish in Irish waters likely to take a trolled bait, and the main advantage is that is becomes virtually invisible in water. You could even run the entire section, including your beads and spinner/flasher on Flouro to make the entire set-up invisible underwater. I'm sure your pick-up/hit rate would then improve, especially in clear water and when the fish are a little on the "shy" side.
It's not like you're padding at a ferocious speed where they have to make up their mind in a flash - you can see they came in a few times to inspect the bait closely without committing.

[eoghanb]

A small spinner on the end would have gotten more hits,I’ve caught mackerel in December and January in berehaven,I think if it’s deep they stay around,I’ve heard they stay in killybegs too

[hugo]

"I think if it’s deep they stay around, I ’ve heard they stay in killybegs too."

Can anyone from Killybegs SAC confirm this?

[corbyeire]

Plenty to feed on in killybegs in the winter

[Flipperdipper]

Hi all, just found this site and joined. This is the first article on mackerel that I've found, have mackerel become scarce and practically non existent all around the coast or is it just around Wexford? For the last three or so years we haven't seen a single one shore angling where they were always plentiful.