Mega Mackerel Merge 2016 - They're breaking! Mod Note #1

Warlock45

Anyone know if there is anything being caught around the clare coast yet? Might try early next week but won't bother Targeting macks if it's too early yet?

MOD NOTE: All mackerel related posts here (chat, locations, etc.) As per the charter do not start another thread while this one is stickied

monty_python

Warlock45 wrote: »

Anyone know if there is anything being caught around the clare coast yet? Might try early next week but won't bother Targeting macks if it's too early yet?

Its usally around august afaik

sheesh

you sometimes will get small amounts off fenit pier in kerry as early as April so there might be some about float fishing I find is the best when they are in small numbers.

gumbo1

Could this be the start of the 2016 Mackerel thread?

Warlock45

monty_python wrote: »

Its usally around august afaik

Caught a lot all over clare between start and mid June last year

Warlock45

Also was wondering with this 'heatwave' next week would it bring the plankton in and therefore the mackerel?

dodderangler

Warlock45 wrote: »

Also was wondering with this 'heatwave' next week would it bring the plankton in and therefore the mackerel?

Still early days yet mate. And I normally find any mackerel I catch this time of year taste rotten. They need to be around a while and get good sprat in them to taste good

nokiatom

dodderangler wrote: »

Still early days yet mate. And I normally find any mackerel I catch this time of year taste rotten. They need to be around a while and get good sprat in them to taste good

they are spent after spawning a month or two ago. it takes a few months before they build themselves up again. and rotten they do taste. !!

SeaFields

gumbo1 wrote: »

Could this be the start of the 2016 Mackerel thread?

Could be you know. Needs more mackerel

uvox

Dismal weather recently notwithstanding, today brought out the anglers on the end of the West Pier in Dun Laoghaire. Delighted to see a few mackerel coming in on the silver flies!

There are also some dolphins at play in Scotsman's Bay nearby - obviously the weather and presence of, or the hunt for fish has brought them in.

Here's to a good summer!

uvox

Dun Laoghaire pier saw a few landed today (and recently).

Warlock45

Going to try a few spots in west clare this coming weekend weather permitting, will report back if I catch or not and if I do what they taste like at the moment!

IRCA

Hi,

Any reports of Mackerel in Sligo?

Thinking about hitting Easkey Pier this weekend.

Cheers

JP

SeaFields

Saw some lads get plenty last night in south Kerry on the incoming tide

Warlock45

Fished west clare Sunday evening but the tide was out and caught nothing, although there was signs that fish had been caught earlier in the day.

Randomise

Just wondering anyone know if mackerel are in yet? Thinking ofor heading out to the pier this week.

idnkph

I'd be leaving it for another month to 6 weeks. It hasn't fished well at all last few years. Better off heading south a good bit.

skipz

Do people even catch Makerel off Clogher anymore? I'am originally from Clogher and gave up trying maybe 6/7 years ago now. Moved away since and all i've been hearing is bad results.
Seems you need a boat these days. Barren lands!

idnkph

I haven't tried it in years either skipz. But I know a few who always go down and they only ever get an odd one.
Even people on boats don't get good catches. The shoals are giving up coming near it for some reason.

bpmurray

The mackerel the past couple of years has been bad all around Louth, so it's not anything really with Clogherhead. Three years ago the fishing was great, and it has its good days. However, the earliest I have ever caught mackerel there was mid-June (and the latest in mid-Nov), so I'd guess it might be too early.

Merkin

uvox wrote: »

Dun Laoghaire pier saw a few landed today (and recently).

Were they a decent size? Hopefully if we get a good couple of weeks of sunshine it should improve things.

Randomise

skipz wrote: »

Do people even catch Makerel off Clogher anymore? I'am originally from Clogher and gave up trying maybe 6/7 years ago now. Moved away since and all i've been hearing is bad results.
Seems you need a boat these days. Barren lands!

I was out last year in clogher on the pier had abit of luck and a few around me did too. But it was hit and miss some days. But hoping to head back out next few weeks

Warlock45

Small numbers in west clare, got two yesterday in a one hour session, two of the biggest mackerel I've caught to date,tasted fine

Mihafm

Lots of mackerel being caught two weeks ago from the far side of Donegal. Last weekend i caught only three. Some pollock , ling and ballan wrasse landed too.

ronnie3585

Any reports of macks in Galway yet? Salthill to be specific.

Blondie919

ronnie3585 wrote: »

Any reports of macks in Galway yet? Salthill to be specific.

A workmate of mine was out around Spiddal last weekend and caught a few nice sized macks.

ronnie3585

Blondie919 wrote: »

A workmate of mine was out around Spiddal last weekend and caught a few nice sized macks.

Where's a good spot in Spiddal to cast a line - behind the pier?

Blondie919

ronnie3585 wrote: »

Where's a good spot in Spiddal to cast a line - behind the pier?

I don't know as haven't fished there myself but my mate went out in a boat. I suppose you could take a walk down to Salthill when it's high tide. If they are in you should see people fishing there.

.red.

I was down the old head wrasse fishing this morning and there was a lad fishing feathers. Gladly saw him blank as he ignored me when i said a cheery "morning" as i walked past him lol.

Olwas2014

I was mackerel fishing and caught a lot of tiny ones but while I was at it I caught a 5.5lb pollock. Is that a good size for a pollock

.red.

Olwas2014 wrote: »

I was mackerel fishing and caught a lot of tiny ones but while I was at it I caught a 5.5lb pollock. Is that a good size for a pollock

Pollack can grow pretty big but thats a decent fish, it wouldnt be classed as "big" but id happily catch fish like that any day of the week. Theres a great fight off them, especially when they get over 4/5lbs.

Olwas2014

.red. wrote:

Pollack can grow pretty big but thats a decent fish, it wouldnt be classed as "big" but id happily catch fish like that any day of the week. Theres a great fight off them, especially when they get over 4/5lbs.

How big would they get

.red.

Olwas2014 wrote: »

How big would they get

I think specimen weight is 12/13lbs. Most of these will be caught from boats but theres plenty of 10lbs+ fish caught from the rocks every year. Deep water and dawn/dusk are the best times.

bpmurray

.red. wrote: »

I think specimen weight is 12/13lbs. Most of these will be caught from boats but theres plenty of 10lbs+ fish caught from the rocks every year. Deep water and dawn/dusk are the best times.

Yep, the record is over 19lbs and the specimen is 12lbs. I find the best way to get the big ones is fishing slowly and steadily (NEVER strike!!) with a rubber worm on a lead-head.

bpmurray

They're catching mackerel off Carlingford from boats the past week,

The other fella

.red. wrote: »

I was down the old head wrasse fishing this morning and there was a lad fishing feathers. Gladly saw him blank as he ignored me when i said a cheery "morning" as i walked past him lol.

I thought the old head is closed off now? Or did you just fish before you come to the golf course?

.red.

The other fella wrote: »

I thought the old head is closed off now? Or did you just fish before you come to the golf course?

Wasnt, off the golf course, just off the headland on the hill upto it. They wont allow people in any more the cnuts.

270WIN

Any sign of mackerel at black head lately?

KnockCos

Does anybody know if mackerel are being caught off the pier in Helvick yet?

KnockCos

In Helvic last night caught 1 mackerel off the pier in 3 hours

cheddie

Has anybody had any luck yet in dalkey/ dun laoghaire ??

robbie67

I was out fishing in a boat from Dun Laoghaire tues and between 3 of us we only got about 12 mackerel all day I seen a lot of people fishing from the rocks in Dun Laoghaire /Dalkey but did not see anybody catching anything

Balfey1972

They are very scarce at the moment . Nothing out off Lambay atm. Few pollack and small whiting but no mackerel

cheddie

robbie67 wrote: »

I was out fishing in a boat from Dun Laoghaire tues and between 3 of us we only got about 12 mackerel all day I seen a lot of people fishing from the rocks in Dun Laoghaire /Dalkey but did not see anybody catching anything

Cheers for the heads up think I'll give it another week before I head out

dodderangler

Still think it's bit early yet. Middle of august id normally be wanting to head out.

Mikecraddock

Hi,
Tried Lambay yesterday, got nothing. Moved to Ireland's Eye, and got 50/60 but they were in fairly small shoals.
The resident seal showed up and that put an end to our day!

Mike

stretchaq

Anything showing off slade/hook head???

bpmurray

Yesterday we drifted from the Imogene buoy at Dundalk Bay back towards Carlingford - plenty of mackerel.

Randomise

Was out majority of yesterday at clogherhead. No joy

bpmurray

Randomise wrote: »

Was out majority of yesterday at clogherhead. No joy

We caught them outside so maybe they're heading in to shore. Hopefully!

GypsyBiker

Nothing in Clogherhead today.