Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: Spud on June 14, 2011

Title: mackeral
Post by: Spud on June 14, 2011
think i'll head out tonight for a spot of mackeral fishing after work, looks like it gonna be a good evening for it!  ;D
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Scribble on June 14, 2011
think i'll head out tonight for a spot of mackeral fishing after work, looks like it gonna be a good evening for it!  ;D

A few mackies on the BBQ you can't beat it  ;D , do you use feathers or do you have a bit of fun with them on a really light rod
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Spud on June 14, 2011
think i'll head out tonight for a spot of mackeral fishing after work, looks like it gonna be a good evening for it!  ;D

A few mackies on the BBQ you can't beat it  ;D , do you use feathers or do you have a bit of fun with them on a really light rod

depends, if I am looking to get a load of them (for pike bait  ;D) then I will use heavy line etc, but for fun its hard to beat a light rod with a spinner, if you get a decent sized one it can put up a bit of a scrap, great fun!!  ;D
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: RedLeader on June 14, 2011
Where do you fish from? We were pondering at the weekend whether the mackerel season would have started yet but I forgot to look it up.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Matthew on June 14, 2011
From talking to my brother he said fishing from a boat is the best bet right now and from the rocks in 2-3 weeks.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Spud on June 14, 2011
Where do you fish from? We were pondering at the weekend whether the mackerel season would have started yet but I forgot to look it up.
i go to st johns point up from the lighthouse, it might be a bit early yet but i have caught them off the rocks earlier than this, headin out now so will let you know how i get on!
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Spud on June 14, 2011
just back, conditions were less than ideal, very windy! Didnt get any mackeral but got a nice wee pollock which will make a nice meal for mrs pike at a later stage lol and it was good to get out in the fresh air!
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: RedLeader on June 15, 2011
How easy is it to fish from the shore down there? Also, do you know what the general feeling is on camping there?

just back, conditions were less than ideal, very windy! Didnt get any mackeral but got a nice wee pollock which will make a nice meal for mrs pike at a later stage lol and it was good to get out in the fresh air!
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Spud on June 15, 2011
How easy is it to fish from the shore down there? Also, do you know what the general feeling is on camping there?


Bit of a walk over the rocks but nothing major, once you are there the fishing is very easy, I am sure a couple of people could camp down there on the q.t, but like so many places it would be where to leave the car overnight that would be the problem!
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Spud on June 20, 2011
a couple of pics taken at where I fish, one night when the mackeral were really running! we had great fun watching them chase the fry!

(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i334/redspud1/mackeral/mack2.jpg)

(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i334/redspud1/mackeral/mack1.jpg)
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: pablo on June 24, 2011
good luck finding mackeral ANYWHERE !

it used to be almost a guaranteed certainty to catch em almost everywhere in the summer months,especially the favorite spots like bangor,ardglass and carrickfergus, even st johns point only has a few at the minute.

the big factory boats have started targeting them in the last few years so the huge swarms of them are no more , those boats life 500tonnes of fish at a time and now norway and iceland are trawling for them.

sure, they show up here and there in big numbers but nothing like they did years ago.

im in a nation wide kayak fishing forum and the reports are the same all round the coast. not just this year but for the last couple of years.

of course, these muppets who take home as many macks as they can catch dont help either. and the usual bull about `catching them for the neighbours `  should be met by a hard punch in the face ....
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 24, 2011

of course, these muppets who take home as many macks as they can catch dont help either. and the usual bull about `catching them for the neighbours `  should be met by a hard punch in the face ....

Bit harsh.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Rumblebum on June 25, 2011
Class pictures Redspud, St johns point always provides the goods for me, touch wood. I normally fish to the left of the light house before the slipway though im always being told to go just below the lighthouse but when ive done this i get dang all!  Myself and 2 mates are hoping to go there next weekend for a bit of fishing and a couple of beers, were gowin to take the tent and although it would be pretty cool to camp there we'l probably go back to 'killybegs motorhome stopover', its a nice wee campsite with showers and a pretty nice view. High tides around 7 oclock so we should stand a good chance of gettin a few.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: whoRya on June 26, 2011
Make sure you have a go at Slieve League while you are down there mate.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Rumblebum on June 26, 2011
Mornin lad, i had thought about trying to get that squeezed in but im not sure if i would have the time or the other two lads would be interested in it, however, i say with a crafty smile, i would be interested in a return trip to it before the end of the summer, maybe do a bit of walking and an overnighter, i dont know if youd be allowed to camp on it or if theres a site near by but the views in the morning would be sweet.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Spud on June 26, 2011
Class pictures Redspud, St johns point always provides the goods for me, touch wood. I normally fish to the left of the light house before the slipway though im always being told to go just below the lighthouse but when ive done this i get dang all!  Myself and 2 mates are hoping to go there next weekend for a bit of fishing and a couple of beers, were gowin to take the tent and although it would be pretty cool to camp there we'l probably go back to 'killybegs motorhome stopover', its a nice wee campsite with showers and a pretty nice view. High tides around 7 oclock so we should stand a good chance of gettin a few.
  the st johns point i go to is the one in county down, lol although i do know the other one, my granny is from donegal, never fished there though, will have to get a go at it before the summer is over!
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Rumblebum on June 26, 2011
Ah haa, it all makes sense now, when you were talking aboiut gowing to st johns point for a few hours fishing i was thinking, frig this guy must drive like a rite nutter, lol.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: pablo on June 26, 2011
we fished st johns two weeks ago, one of us caught ten different species of fish. ling, conger, cukoo wrasse ,corkwing wrasse,ballan wrasse, pollock,pout,whiting,mackeral and poor cod. personally i had loads of ling up to 10 lbs three conger,loads of pout ,mackeral,pollock and poor cod and a lonely ballan wrasse.

its a fantastic area to fish.......from a kayak that is .
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Spud on June 27, 2011
Ah haa, it all makes sense now, when you were talking aboiut gowing to st johns point for a few hours fishing i was thinking, frig this guy must drive like a rite nutter, lol.

 :D No comment on my driving lol, i will deffo have to have a drive up and stay overnight soon, see how I get on, is it easy enough to fish from the shore?
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Rumblebum on June 27, 2011
yeah its a doddle from the shore, theres a stone track that you can leads to the light house so you can drive along (minding the cows) and pull up on the grass beside, then just walk over to the rocks, ive never had too much of a problem with snagging on weed aroung there. Bring loads of bait! I spoke to the motor home stop over today so its 15 euro for two people.

Where abouts were you fishin from pablo?
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: pablo on June 28, 2011
we launched from the little beach on the right then paddled round ,fished right along but concentrated about 1/4 mile from the point.

the seabed has some great fish holding features and drops from 25 ft to 100 ft deep over a distance of twenty yards. drop offs like that is where you find the fish.unfortunatly for shore anglers they cant access the spots we hit and its a little too far to cast out too, maybe 150yds from the rocks.

seriously, kayak fishing is the way to go. we had pollock up to 11lb last friday up the north coast , again close to the shore but inaccessible to shore fishing.

check out the website, kayakanglingireland.com and read a few reports, you,ll be amazed.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Mourneman on October 21, 2011
flip me
            thats the best fish photo's i've ever seen redspud,would look to take a shot like that,nice one mate
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: sjh1 on May 12, 2012
Mackerel in anywhere yet?
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Dowser on May 12, 2012
Mackerel in anywhere yet?

From experience it's probably just a tad soon... Probably another few weeks then you'll start getting them at the usual haunts.

I know I'll be giving it a go soon accompanied with a coastal bivvy  :)
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Spud on May 12, 2012
A bit early for the shore fishing, I have caught them from the start of June before, hard to beat a bit of mackerel fishing!
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: basloan82 on June 07, 2012
they are in at ardglass. haad 7 on tuesday morning niceeeeeeeeeeee ;D
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Dowser on June 07, 2012
I had a go in Strangford last night but nothing biting.  Strangford is always a bit later in the year.

Going to have a go off the pier in Ballyhalbert at the weekend and will keep you posted  :)
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Mourneman on June 07, 2012
I had a go in Strangford last night but nothing biting.  Strangford is always a bit later in the year.

Going to have a go off the pier in Ballyhalbert at the weekend and will keep you posted  :)

Fisherfelim is putting the boat back in the water later this week,we'll take you out for a blast at the mackeral if you want Dowser

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7348440140_4e677b290e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/7348440140/)
DSCN6589 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/7348440140/) by paul surginor (http://www.flickr.com/people/75601656@N07/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7163230149_24378d12ef_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/7163230149/)
DSCN6554 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/7163230149/) by paul surginor (http://www.flickr.com/people/75601656@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Dowser on June 07, 2012

Fisherfelim is putting the boat back in the water later this week,we'll take you out for a blast at the mackeral if you want Dowser


Excellent... I never say no to an offer to go fishing.  Just let me know where and when and I'll be there.

Thanks Mourneman  :) :) :)
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: chink1211 on June 07, 2012
We had a few in bangor just behind the peir last week soon as the rain goes away were goin to try a bita fishing from a kayak see how it goes lol ,
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: sjh1 on June 11, 2012
No mackerel yet but this weekend I'd cod, wrasse and pollack off the rocks south of Newcastle (Near Shannaghmore Outdoor Centre).

Cod and wrasse caught with lugworm on a hook, fishing three or four feet from the bottom with a four ounce weight on. Simple set up.

Small pollack caught on feathers.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: RedLeader on June 12, 2012
Not mackerel unfortunately but still, it's the first catch of the season.

(http://i.imgur.com/SClB5.jpg)
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: fourman on June 12, 2012
I was out on Sunday just between the Copelands and Groomsport ,caught about a dozen mackies.
About a third of them to small for the barbie.
Also caught two small Whitting ,caught them all on feathers about three foot of the bottom.
So the mackies have of fish ly arrived ,excuse the pun. :D
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Mourneman on June 13, 2012
for mackeral fishing a spinning rod is ideal,which you can pick up for around £20.00 or so,something about 8-9 feet is ideal,for the reel pretty much the sorta reel you would use for pike would suit with line ranging from 15 lb breaking strain for a single spinner set-up to around 25 lb fpr jigging on a boat,better to use an old reel for sea fishing as the sea water can destroy tackle,also run you reel under the garden tap & dry off after each use
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Rumblebum on June 13, 2012
I usually try and get fishing from Ardglass a couple of times during the summer months, the rocks behind the golf course is a great wee spot.
Id use a 9 ft spinner rod and reel with a 3 hook trace and spinner on the end, (the same trace as mournemans photo). I usually seem to do well with this setup, though its really good fun using a float and bait, watching it sink always has me leap to my feet.
As Mourneman says, i always hose the life outta my gear when i get home.

Maybe we should have a wee fishing competion at Ardglass for a days crack?
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Rumblebum on June 13, 2012
Yeah mate can do, a few beers and a wee barby would have to accompany us too of course.

Il have to have a look at the tide times and see if we can organise a wee saturday or sundays crack, oh there could be some serious competion between us all. ;D
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: RedLeader on June 13, 2012
Don't let the pic of me with a fish fool you into thinking I have any idea what I'm doing ;)

Ive never been sea fishing, used to course fish every weekend and match fish, what size rod is ideal for the sort of coastal fishing you guys are talking about? Do you use normal single hooks or trebles? what size hooks? breaking strain of line etc? Does the setup use a float?

Ive had a daydream of going and catching my own mackeral for a long time :)

This is a great idea, am sure we could come up with a spare rod somewhere. I really fancy a fishing and camping day, preferably cooking the catch on an open fire for dinner!

A NI-Wild Fishing competition could be great :) Could you lend me a rod ? ;) I gave all my gear away when I stopped fishing :(
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Dowser on June 13, 2012
A NI-Wild Fishing competition could be great :) Could you lend me a rod ? ;) I gave all my gear away when I stopped fishing :(

Agreed... This is a brilliant idea.  I would be well up for this.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Kayakgirl on June 13, 2012
I wouldn't mind getting in on this..
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Dowser on June 13, 2012
Not mackerel unfortunately but still, it's the first catch of the season.

(http://i.imgur.com/SClB5.jpg)

I notice Redleader didn't post the photograph of the fish I caught on the same day in Ballyhalbert  ;)

(http://i.imgur.com/q8Yuy.jpg)

8)
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Dowser on June 13, 2012
Lol size envy :)

Off topic - do you know what the rig just off shore at ballyhalbert is? ( has a jcb on it) It might not still be there I noticed it during the may bank holiday.

It's still there...  It's there to lay new sewerage pipes.  There has been a lot of new development in Ballyhalbert over the last few years and the existing system couldn't cope with the new levels of waste created.

I would like to think the new pipes will be carrying treated sewerage out to sea and not raw sewerage or I wont be eating anything from that bay again.  To be honest, even the thought of treated waste being pumped out has put me off  >:(

Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Rumblebum on June 13, 2012
Not mackerel unfortunately but still, it's the first catch of the season.

(http://i.imgur.com/SClB5.jpg)

I notice Redleader didn't post the photograph of the fish I caught on the same day in Ballyhalbert  ;)

(http://i.imgur.com/q8Yuy.jpg)

8)
Don't fall for it! Dowsers only looks bigger cus the crafty beggar is closer to the camera!

It's one of those father ted moments, no Dougal those cows are wee cus they're far far away. ;)
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: sjh1 on June 13, 2012
Ive never been sea fishing, used to course fish every weekend and match fish, what size rod is ideal for the sort of coastal fishing you guys are talking about? Do you use normal single hooks or trebles? what size hooks? breaking strain of line etc? Does the setup use a float?

Ive had a daydream of going and catching my own mackeral for a long time :)

Sea fishing is easier and better! Plus you can eat the catch.  Eight or nine foot spinning rod is fine. About 15lb line is good.

We usually just fish with feathers and a three or four ounce weight. That or a spinner. Two very simple set-ups and great for mackerel when they're in.

If fishing with bait we were shown a great setup by two fellas there at the weekend. It's a normal single hook. Stick a weight on at the bottom of the line. Then tie a loop about three or four feet up from the weight and stick on a hook here. Thread a lugworm onto the hook and cast away. No need for a float. We got cod and wrasse like this. Ate the cod battered tonight, was munch.

I would probably be up for the Ardglass fishing competition and a few mates might as well.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Mourneman on June 13, 2012
not Mackeral,but the pike are really starting to feed  ;D
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7221/7369799672_b365264730_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/7369799672/)
fish (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/7369799672/) by paul surginor (http://www.flickr.com/people/75601656@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Dowser on June 14, 2012
Not mackerel unfortunately but still, it's the first catch of the season.


I notice Redleader didn't post the photograph of the fish I caught on the same day in Ballyhalbert  ;)

8)
Don't fall for it! Dowsers only looks bigger cus the crafty beggar is closer to the camera!

It's one of those father ted moments, no Dougal those cows are wee cus they're far far away. ;)

It is the fish I caught but, I lifted it out of the photo in Photoshop, enlarged it by 10 and then stuck it back in  ::)

No magic perspectives lol
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: RedLeader on June 14, 2012
Whereas I photoshopped mine to look smaller so Dowser didn't feel bad, it was actually gi-fricken-normous :P

Not mackerel unfortunately but still, it's the first catch of the season.


I notice Redleader didn't post the photograph of the fish I caught on the same day in Ballyhalbert  ;)

8)
Don't fall for it! Dowsers only looks bigger cus the crafty beggar is closer to the camera!

It's one of those father ted moments, no Dougal those cows are wee cus they're far far away. ;)

It is the fish I caught but, I lifted it out of the photo in Photoshop, enlarged it by 10 and then stuck it back in  ::)

No magic perspectives lol
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: sjh1 on August 08, 2012
Mackerel def in now. I got four yesterday on spinner and feathers at Donard Cove between N'castle and Bloody Bridge. Two on at once was great! Guy beside me had half a dozen and boys were catching before us as well.

Cooked two up this afternoon. Wrapped them in tinfoil with butter, pepper, salt and mixed herbs and stuck them in the oven for 15 mins, munch!
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Dowser on August 08, 2012
Yeap... I can confirm they are in too!!! I was out with my daughter on Saturday in the canoe on Strangford and got 3 within 20 minutes. 

One was filleted, dipped in flour and fried in the pan with butter and served with Chips, Peas and Red Sauce (My Daughters) and my two were Oven Baked with Red Wine, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Sundried Tomato, Black Olives, Red Onions and Button Mushroooms. Guess who's been eating Tapa's in Spain for a week  ;)

Heading out again tonight for a few hours so hopefully get a few more for the table  :D
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: whoRya on August 09, 2012
Dowser, I'll pm you my postal address and you can send me up one, sure fire a bit of that sauce you cooked it in as well.  Bubble wrap it if you don't mind.  Good lad!
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: whoRya on August 09, 2012
not Mackeral,but the pike are really starting to feed  ;D
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7221/7369799672_b365264730_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/7369799672/)
fish (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/7369799672/) by paul surginor (http://www.flickr.com/people/75601656@N07/), on Flickr

Mourneman is this a wall mural on the feature wall in your lounge, it would look well.
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Dowser on August 09, 2012
I had a great nights fishing yesterday evening with Sonya and Kevin.  15 Mackies for the table, lifted out of Strangford Lough, which was like a mirror.  I'm going to be super brainy by the time I've eaten all those fish  :D

I can't think of a more relaxing way to spend an evening:

(http://i.imgur.com/edXtY.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/r8Q2Q.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/9YARq.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/OCLNg.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/cHAXD.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/WFMKK.jpg)

Poor Sonya didn't catch any. I caught 12 and Kevin caught 3.

Sonya fished for over an hour and only passed her line to Kevin to hold a few times, for less than a minute, so that she could jiggle about a bit and get comfy. Every time Kevin got hold of the line he caught another. It was hilarious!!!

Better Luck next time Sonya  ;)
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Mourneman on August 09, 2012
proper job Dower with the hand-line,bet you felt every last wriggle  ;D
Title: Re: mackeral
Post by: Spud on August 09, 2012
Thought it was a great night for a spot of fishing tonight so sky plussed the football and headed out for an hour after work to st johns point, wasn't home til after 7 so didn't start fishing til about 830, I would normally fish on a high tide out there, but I found this site today

http://www.tides4fishing.com/uk/northern-ireland

It said there would be high fish activity at around 9pm or so, and it wasn't wrong!! I caught 14 mackeral in 45 minutes!!! Also caught a couple of pollack, (or blochan as we call them in these parts) one of them was about 4 or 5 pounds, a cracking fish that was spitting the fry it had been eating at me when I was unhooking it! Great nights fishing, they were literally jumping out of the water!  ;D