Mackerel From The Shore

Is it possible to feather for mackerel from the shore/off of rocks?

Replies:

1. "One of my earliest memories as a kid was shore fishing for mackerel from a beach near Dungeness. In those days you used to see the shoal on the surface (which looked as if it was boiling), and everybody along the beach would dash up to change their tackle and put the feathers on. All of us kids used to be told to throw stone at the shoal, in the hope that the splashes would keep the shoal in our patch a bit longer. I don't think it did any good - but it kept us occupied.

The technique was simple, cast as close to the shoal as you could, as soon as the weight hit the water, pump and reel as quick as you could. You would see many people bringing them in six at a time. Occasionally, when the fish were not feeding at the surface, you would catch by letting the weight sink deeper in the water, it was trial and error."

2. "It is easy if you can reach the fish, a set of six feathers, cast out, let the lead sink a little and then start pumping and winding and then start again. It can be hard work so watch the other anglers and you will see how the school is progressing towards you.

When you have a take, try and leave the fish there as it will attract others and you end up with a full house.

Watch it from the rocks as they can be dangerous.

Only take what you need for the table/friends or to freeze down for bait in the winter.

Float and spinning from the rocks are another enjoyable way of fishing and there is the chance of a Bass or Garfish."

3. "If you want to catch lots of mackeral feathering is probably the quickest way. However, the heavy lead means that you don't get much of a fight - and boy can mackeral go on light gear! I like to use 4lb line plus a single lure, and then yeeh haa........!!

I pick up a number of bonus bass this way as well. On one occasion nobody could catch the mackeral on feathers, even though they were swirling on the surface over a wide area. I managed a bass, just the one unfortunately, on a deeper fished spoon. What I think was happening was that the mackeral weren't feeding but were being chased by the bass.

BTW, rather than using a lead when feathering try using a pirk as the weight. You might get a surprise in the shape of a bonus bass!"

4. "I mackerel fish with six feathers. I couple this to a 2.5lb test curve (fairly heavy) carp rod, about 12lb mainline and a 3oz lead.

I can quite happily cast this about 70 yards which is usually far enough. I find i get the best compremise between fight and range this way, six mackerel fight really well on a carp rod."