When is the best time to catch mackerel?

Mackerel arrive close to UK shores from roughly May to October, with summer the peak. Dawn and dusk are prime, and an early flood or the top of a high tide pushing into deeper water near a harbour wall or pier tends to fish best.

Should I use feathers or lures for mackerel?

Both work brilliantly. A string of feathers (three to six hooks) lets you catch several mackerel at once and is the classic shore choice. A single spinner or metal lure is more sporting, easier to cast cleanly and great if the shoal is feeding near the surface.

What tackle do I need to start mackerel fishing?

A simple spinning or multi-purpose rod, a 4000-6000 size reel, and either a set of mackerel feathers with a small weight or a 20-30g metal lure. That is genuinely all you need for a productive session from the shore.

Where can I catch mackerel from the shore?

Harbour walls, piers, breakwaters and rock marks with deep water close in are ideal, as mackerel hunt baitfish near the surface. Cornish spots around Newquay, Padstow, Mevagissey and Sennen all produce well through summer.

How do I know if mackerel are about?

Look for diving gulls, splashing baitfish or fish breaking the surface, all signs a shoal is feeding. If one angler hooks up, the shoal is usually beneath everyone, so cast in and retrieve at a steady pace.

Mackerel Fishing: Feathers, Tides & Tips

BEGINNERS GUIDE TO BUYING FISHING GEAR...

When asked which fish a beginner would like to catch, the answer is more often than not, mackerel!

Mackerel can be caught all around Cornwall but some suggestions are: Padstow area headlands, Port Isaac, Boscastle, Mullion, Porthcurno, Lamorna, Sennen, The Lizard, the rocks off Porthtowan, Helford, Mevagissey, St Ives, Kennack Sands, Coverack, Porthleven and Charlestown

Mackerel live just about anywhere and are probably one of the most prolific fish in Cornish waters. The ideal fishing methods to catch Mackerel are spinning and float fishing.

Click here for lots more information about Mackerel Sea Fishing Jargon Buster

SPINNING FOR MACKEREL

Spinning is a hands on, active fishing method. A lure or spinner is attached to the line which is then cast out and wound back in to make the lure imitate a swimming fish that a mackerel will not be able to resist!

As mackerel are one of the easiest fish to catch, you do not need expensive lures as the cheaper metal spinners are just as effective. An alternative to a single spinner is to cast out a set of feathers which then imitate a shoal of small fish as you reel them in. This way you can catch multiple mackerel at the same time.

Please see below for our recommended products for spinning for mackerel - please click on our links to browse all products suitable for spinning.

Guide to Spinning & Spinning Lures Browse All Spinning Rods Sea Fishing Reel Guide Browse All Feathers

FLOAT FISHING FOR MACKEREL

As with bottom fishing, this method of fishing uses a baited hook but by using a float mid line, you can decide where your hook is going to stay in the water - as bass swim all over this is a good method and will involve some trial and error to determine the correct depth for a successful catch. Float fishing is exciting as once the float disappears it's both hands on the rod & reel ready for the retrieve!

Suggested bait for mackerel would be sand eel, worm, prawn or shrimp.

Please see below for our suggestions below for a fishing rod, reel and tackle to fish for mackerel by float fishing. All other suitable products can be viewed by following our links.

Guide to Float Fishing & Tackle Browse All Rods for Float Fishing Sea Fishing Reel Guide Browse All Terminal Tackle

Suggested Fishing Equipment for Fishing for Mackerel

We have put together a suggested fishing reel, rod, lures and tackle which will give you everything you need to fish for mackerel using spinning lures or float fishing. The Great White spinning rod is a fabulous 4 piece carbon rod which not only performs well, but looks great too so you will be the envy of your fishing buddies! Being 4 piece also means it is a great option for travellers.

This rod is also suitable for all sorts of other fishing such as bass fishing so would be a good investment. If you are looking for a small cheap rod to take on holiday or keep in the car, then one of our 6 piece or telescopic travel rods would be a good option.

These are suggestions only so please click on the links to browse all spinning rods and fishing reels as we do cater for all budgets.

** 10% discount is deducted automatically on all orders over £70 **

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Mackerel Fishing

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BEGINNERS GUIDE TO BUYING FISHING GEAR...

SPINNING FOR MACKEREL

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Suggested Fishing Equipment for Fishing for Mackerel

Browse the matching collections

Safety first

BEGINNERS GUIDE TO BUYING FISHING GEAR...

SPINNING FOR MACKEREL

FLOAT FISHING FOR MACKEREL

Suggested Fishing Equipment for Fishing for Mackerel

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