Mackerel Reports '11 here...

[Gilks]

A reasonable amount of mackerel off the end Dun laoghaire, west pier yesterday (Thursday 7/7). Pink/silvery/white feathers, 0/1 hooks successful for all. Most were caught about 2 hours before high tide. Weather: mixed sun and cloud, stong blustery wind from the south-west. Most macks fairly small (and put back), a few larger ones. Had a bit of a go with the German spratt and the fire-tail jelly (before it got snagged) but no bites on either. When the swarm of sailing boats started to come back in we decided to do some bait fishing with pulley rigs off the back of the west pier for dogfish and was pleasantly surprised to see a guy catch three mackerel on his first cast by the yaght cabin - normally this place seems to be a trap for the unitiated to catch heavy rocks. Flash-fried the mackerel fillets with a bit of chilli powder. Are the bigger one's stronger in flavour or is it just my imagination? She said they weren't cooked for long enough so will find someone else to share them with next time.

[Sigvadir]

Surprisingly large Mackerel caught in numbers at Carraroe Lighthouse, Co.Galway.
Dusk, flooding tide.

I have personally never seen Mackerel that large before. Normally fishing Sligo, Donegal.

[pixieinc]

Hi all
First four mackies taken at Greys fort Helens Bay on 8/7 just before high water..5th one got away cause I got a bit over confident and let him run a bit..got my line back in such a mess
two feathers and a dexter as weight, three together then the forth on its own

tight lines

[zud25]

09/07/2011 15 macks at Streedagh point-from Low Tide ,just fith silver feathers ca.80-120m not closer...
Need a long cast otherwise the result ZEROOOOOO

[stox 1]

At Clogher Head today from 2pm until 7. No Mackerel and nothing else either. Didn't see anyone else getting any either.

[Gilks]

A near-invisible trickle of macks at Poolbeg lighthouse, Dublin this afternoon (rising tide, generally sunny and windy). The only ones I saw caught were from float/ragworm and a shiney spinner. A lot of people fishing out there mostly with light-coloured feathers. I lost quite a bit of gear to rocks.

[Kgarr]

mackeral showing in the Boyne yesterday, saw a nice one 'bout 40cm being caught on the fly

[Richie07]

Got 2 large ones this morning, Greystones, only fished a couple of hours. Anyone know why there always seems to be Joeys around Dun Laoghaire for the whole duration of the Mack season?, whereas all the ones I catch further south are fully grown.

[alannelson]

a few mackys showing at carrick harbour over high water.

[Gilks]

Anyone know why there always seems to be Joeys around Dun Laoghaire for the whole duration of the Mack season?, whereas all the ones I catch further south are fully grown.

I've caught macks up to 40cm at DL. Generally these are on some kind of metal spinner. There do seem to be a lot of small ones about this year though. Maybe they're not growing as quickly as other years or maybe the joey mackerel have less predators this year so there's more of them about. It might also be preferred food type differing between the Dublin area and further south e.g. Greystones. I think we need a professor of mackerel biology on this site.

[stevo74]

3 hours fishing today at coliemore rocks- no macks,1 garfish! Saw only one Mack caught but was a good size.....

[tex]

Not a sniff of them in enniscrone today,not even a single joey.

[stox 1]

St John's Point Sunday 10/7. Nothing for me and didn't see anyone else catch either.

[Deleted User 3488]

saw a couple of dozen caught on feathers from skerries pier last few days

[Gilks]

Dun Laoghaire, west pier, today - some caught before I arrived (late) - on the stroke of high-tide and didn't see anyone catch a fish despite a few sets of feathers in the water. Some macks were caught earlier apparently. Quite a lot of fish jumping all along the inside of the pier to add insult to the blank. Think they were both fry and macks. Wondered why nothing was biting so used pink'n'green feathers, black ones and a german spratt, non to any use. Nice calm evening though. Will bring swimming trucks next time.

[patcharlie]

Black Head Co. Clare 2 hours before high tide and 2 hours after, 2 Macks, only consolation did not see anyone else catching any thing at all.
The two Macks were small one first cast and one mid way. 12/7/11.

[no1dubliner]

got 3 good size macs in howth today over 5 hours so not a good lot around

[doggie3131]

fished mulranney today.not one mackerel.loads of small pollock,loads ofsprat,sandeel,and lauce,but no mack.....what the HELL is going on??

[Gilks]

People: Myself, Spaniard & Derek....and the rest of the folk

Region: Dun Laoghaire

Mark:end of the west pier on the wall

Time: 4-7pm (ht 9.30)

Weather:sunny, humid, light SE wind

Report: Caught a pollock on the northside by the kelp at about 5pm and a mackerel in the channel at about 6, both on 3-hook 2/0 black+silver feathers. Nothing with the pinks later. Another mack caught in the channel at about 6.30. Foreign lads using feathers+rag caught a nice wrasse by the kelp so fair play to em. Two more macks caught by a new guy...also in the kelp, just as we were packing up. Quite a few feathering down there but not much enthusiasm. Had a good time despite moaning from others about lack of fish. Am assuming the macks have moved away for a bit. Would love a few big macks.

Was wondering what the latest time of day to catch mackerel is, regardless or tide or month. I think I've only seen them caught in bright sunlight.

[eoghanb]

Try float fishing mack strip under the pier lights if they are lighting up any area of water,thats when u get bonus scad and garfish and large mackeral but It helps if there weree mackerel about earlier in the evening,iv caught macks into the early hours,also the odd big pollack wanders in under the lights so try a live shrimp or a rag on a few of ur casts,night time floating can be great fun when it all comes together