Newbie mackerel questions

[joe987654321]

I'm planning to jump on an upcoming mackerel trip on one of the Belmar PBs. As I am new to it, I have a few questions:

1. It appears anglers use multi hook setups. Would one of these be enough or do anglers typically lose many per trip? Also, how does one rig them? Are they typically available for purchase on a PB or can I buy a prefabricated mackerel rig at a tackle shop?

2. Would a fluke rod and reel setup suffice? Or would I need something a bit heavier (or lighter)?

3. I have seen pics with anglers with the large size coolers on mackerel trips. Can one expect to fill a large cooler up if the bite is on and should I bring my biggest cooler on board?

4. Does the crew clean and fillet the fish as they typically do for fluke and other species?

Thanks in advance. I welcome all comments and suggestions.

[bulletbob]

I'm planning to jump on an upcoming mackerel trip on one of the Belmar PBs. As I am new to it, I have a few questions:

1. It appears anglers use multi hook setups. Would one of these be enough or do anglers typically lose many per trip? Also, how does one rig them? Are they typically available for purchase on a PB or can I buy a prefabricated mackerel rig at a tackle shop?

2. Would a fluke rod and reel setup suffice? Or would I need something a bit heavier (or lighter)?

3. I have seen pics with anglers with the large size coolers on mackerel trips. Can one expect to fill a large cooler up if the bite is on and should I bring my biggest cooler on board?

4. Does the crew clean and fillet the fish as they typically do for fluke and other species?

Thanks in advance. I welcome all comments and suggestions.

1- you typically don't lose many rigs, but bring a few spares,, I would bring at least 3... These fish are stupid easy to catch, and a plain old sinker and a few hooks with plastic tails, twisters, strip bait will catch plenty.. most guys use a 3 hook rig with small tubes, and a Diamong Jig for weight 3 or 4 at a clip is common when the fish are in thick... I don't think the nembers are what they used to be, but I;ll leave that to the guys that have gone out for mackeral in recent years.. I have not..

2.. A fluke rod would be fine if you have a rod that can swing lets say 4 1 pound fish over the rail... Thats about what I use...

3.. If the schools are big, and they are biting, yes you can catch a hundred.. As I stated earlier, I don't think most boats have been seeing that caliber of fishing in recent years, but I will leave that to others.. When I used to go, you got sick of catching them after a while...

4.. I am sure they would, thats how they make a living.. They aren't the best eating, but are ok if you like a stronger tasting fish... I like them but can only eat a few, they don't freeze well for eating, too oily.. a Lot of guys catch them and use them for bait and chum ... They are good for cut bait, and fished whole for sharks and tuna.. Smaller strips are good for fluke , but get soft quickly.... bob

[Leif]

I'm planning to jump on an upcoming mackerel trip on one of the Belmar PBs. As I am new to it, I have a few questions:

1. It appears anglers use multi hook setups. Would one of these be enough or do anglers typically lose many per trip? Also, how does one rig them? Are they typically available for purchase on a PB or can I buy a prefabricated mackerel rig at a tackle shop?

2. Would a fluke rod and reel setup suffice? Or would I need something a bit heavier (or lighter)?

3. I have seen pics with anglers with the large size coolers on mackerel trips. Can one expect to fill a large cooler up if the bite is on and should I bring my biggest cooler on board?

4. Does the crew clean and fillet the fish as they typically do for fluke and other species?

Thanks in advance. I welcome all comments and suggestions.
Mackerel Fishing 101


The Mackerel fishing is around the corner, and a few Sponsor boats are targeting these little gems this winter. Now is the time to get ready so you can take advantage of this great fishing. The Miss Belmar Princess (Mackerel Express)and Golden Eagle are sailing for them in December and the fishing is great when conditions are good.

Recently I have been receiving some questions on Mackerel fishing and rigs used so I thought I would do a quick post to show what I have been using. All comments additions and other recommendations are welcome.

While Mackerel fishing is relatively simple some methods and rigs do work better than others at times. So keep your eyes peeled and ask the mates as well.


For the rigs: 3-5 hook Mackerel teaser rig. I like the "Fire Cracker" type rigs(See Pictures). They are easy to make and very flashy. I find these the most productive although the Red surgical tubing rigs work very well. Both can be purchased "ready made".

Use a 6-10 oz sinker to get the rig down to the bottom.Mackerel will often hit on the way down as well and may be found at different depths.(the mates will help you with the proper weight. If it is a fast drift you will need a heavier weight.

Rod/Reel 7 ft 20-40lb rod loaded with 25-40lb test Matched reel/ penn Jigmaster or similar. (Rental rods are fine for this type of fishing)


Be prepared to prepare your catch. Don't keep more than you can handle. TIP/PAY the mates to at least remove heads and gut if that is what you want. It will save you time, and lighten your load. It took me 3 hours after I got home to prepare my fish (250 Mackerel 72 quart cooler full) AND another 2 hours to Vacuum seal the fillets. Bring ice even if it is cold and put a little water in the cooler.

Before I go fishing I make sure I have enough bags, wrap, freezer room and a spot to prepare the fish.


Material list for making Mackerel rigs.

Red surgical tubing (Surgical supply, home depot,)

Clear surgical tubing (aquarium air hose works)

Mylar tubing/ Silver and Gold (you can find this in craft stores)

40-50 lb Leader material

1/0 2/0 2X long shank saltwater hooks

Black barrel swivels 75-90lb

Fire Cracker instructions:

1) Thread Mylar braided tubing over 2/0 2xlong Mustad hook(unravel the end so it sticks out over the bend or the hook a little.

2) Tie in and glue with crazy glue near eye of hook.

3) Cover hook with clear surgical tubing up to bend.

Have fun,

Leif

[papabear2611]

Went 2 years ago, buddy and I.
We had two large coolers filled with small to medium size fish. We filled them in a few hours and I took breaks and started to reel up when I felt around 3 on the more tired I got.
Rigs as others described with 5 hooks is what we used but they weren't picky, if you left your rig down after you felt a few hits you caught more. You will get a feel for how many are on your hook. The hard part was reeling them in fast as possible as the sharks would crush them closer to the surface, eventually sharks got so bad we had to move away for a bit then come back, but it was a lot of fun.
As for what to do with them.
We knew from a long time ago how great they are smoked properly.
They remind me of baked ham smoked certain ways, imho
They weren't strong fishy after ours were smoked.
My buddy made some fresh when he got home and liked them, said they weren't strong but next day they got stronger fishy taste.

We found a local butcher/smoker guy, we cut a deal to give him half the fish if he smoked them free or barely paid anything. He was going to keep them for his family.
It pays to line up the smoker person Before the trip.

We took all of ours home whole, but I think we had a mate head and gut our bigger ones. Kept the medium and small ones whole till we got home.
We set up a picnic table, got a few guys and beers and prepped them production line style. One would head, one gut, etc.
Important if your taking them to get smoked.
Ask the smoker how he wants them prepped.
Left the skin on all.
Our biggest thickest we cut like fillets leaving the rib bones, these where smoked on racks, bones peeled off easy when smoked.
Others/medium size we did removed head, guts and split leaving the tail attached so they would hang on rods for smoking.
Discuss marinading etc. with the smoker guy too.
Our guy did at least a Pepper rub and some some he marinaded in Teriyaki or similar marinade. Trying to find a smoker guy who has done them and likes them can be a huge advantage in the finished product but can be hard to find these days.

Small ones:
Some we stripped them out for fluke/whatever, strips.
Some small we left whole minus guts then did following;
All small for bait we layed out on trays with paper towels and Kosher salted them, changing towels to get out excess fluid, then put about a handful with K-salt in sandwich bags, freeze them.
These bait strips/fillets/small whole packed in salt still worked great this summer, some from two or more years later still worked great early fluke season.
Would like to hear from others their ideas on what they do with theirs.
hth