Mackerel?
 

I'm considering going out on the Big Jamaica on Monday for their mackerel trip, but i've never targeted them before. Has anyone hopped on one of these trips? I'm thinking medium sized metals would be good, and i have an 8ft MH rod that should be able to take them. My only worry is my rod and reel are kinda a POS, and I'm worried it might crap out on me. I know they have rental rods i could use as a backup, but I'm not very confident in casting metals out with a conventional reel, always been more of a freshwater/spinning guy so i'm a bit out of my comfort zone.

I hear the fishery is struggling and is nowhere close to what is had been in past years, but I'd love to hear if anyone has caught them recently. I'm trying to decide if i should do this trip or join up with some other NJF guys on the ice. Any tips or advice are appreciated! Tight Lines!

Re: Mackerel?
 

Conventional gear is best. Also be using a mackeral rig. Basically a rig made up of 4 or 5 teaser. Most tackle shops sell the. Like an over sized saiki rig. You can use metal jigs for weight or just bank sinkers

Re: Mackerel?
 

This is typically a drop & jig fishery. Pick up some mackerel rigs & diamond jigs from a Sponsor Tackle Shop. Medium conventional set-up should be fine.
You usually do not need to cast far from boat. They will drift over the fish.
Good Luck

Re: Mackerel?
 

Better off going ice fishing. In my opinion winter mackeral are loaded with fat. The spring run is better for eating.

Re: Mackerel?
 

You can catch mackerel on any tackle.. A rental rod is fine, but even a fairly solid freshwater rod will catch them without issues, if you don't mind catching 1 or 2 at a time... A boat rod will allow you to drop a jig with 3 teasers above it, and yes you can catch 3 or 4 at a time with no problem, IF they are around, which is not usually the case these days...
Plain old Mr Twisters are fine as teasers, and will get hit readily.. Personally I like plain old mackerel rigs with small pieces of stiff surgical tubing on the hooks as they are tough as nails.. Any salt water tackle store should have them. i would use a 4 oz. AVA jig as weight below the rig..

All you do is drop it down, and you can jig it in place, reel it, or even leave it right in the zone without moving it, and they will be all over it... IF they are there!.. Thats the issue these days.. Not tackle, not boats, not pressure, etc.. the fish just aren't there any more, at least not in any numbers.
However, if anyone can find them, the Bogan fleet certainly can.. good luck, let us know how you make out... bob

Re: Mackerel?
 

Be prepared you might be hauling up dogfish. They seem to be in the mix with the macks.

Re: Mackerel?
 

If mackeral are really being caught I'm there!

I love a freezer full of bait, and a few for the smoker.

Re: Mackerel?
 

thanks for all the tips! I didn't realize this was a drop and jig type of fishery. I'm really considering doing this trip.

Has anyone gone on one recently? From reading past threads it seems like people have done very well with them this time of year, but in recent years not so much. Just wondering if the risk will be worth the reward. Might go either way just to get out on the water for a day!

Re: Mackerel?
 

A few Sheepshead Bay boats got into them a few days ago, so they are in the area, and certainly within reach of the central NJ boats.. however, these days its a crap shoot and they may or may not be around when the fishing starts.. Just don't have the massive schools anymore, that we had for so many decades.
However, if they are around , the captain will find them... bob

Re: Mackerel?
 

A 3 or 4 teaser mackerel rig with a Bridgeport diamond jig (4/5oz.) should work well for you. Don't be afraid to move around the boat, sometimes they catch only on one side of the boat.....:)

Re: Mackerel?
 

Monday is gonna be 15 degrees for a high with a 20mph wind. Good luck if you go.

Hopefully you'll find the macks, if not you'll at least make ICE!

Re: Mackerel?
 

Ugh, that may change things. I wonder if they'll even sail that day. Of course the day before is forecasted in the low 40's and the day after is back up to the 30's. Always the worst weather when i have a day off :rolleyes: I guess i'll give the cap a call and see what he thinks.

Re: Mackerel?
 

Generally, how deep are the macks? I would consider going if I can use my trout gear lol

Re: Mackerel?
 

I have seen guys more than once using UL fresh water tackle for them, using small bucktails.. It pissed everyone on the boat off, but I have seen guys do it, and catch their share .. A more common sense approach would be a medium duty rig that could handle say 12-15 pound test, and 2 or 3 - one pound fish.. You could take a smaller outfit along with the more appropriate outfit for fun ,and use that if there's enough room on the boat I suppose .
Something like a 1 handed spinning or bait casting set up that you would use in the bay for fluke would be fine...

I have caught macks right on bottom in 70 feet,, and 2 feet under the boat, and anywhere in between..

The captain would let the fares know where to start jigging.


Problem with macks is they are lightening fast, and often don't stick around under the boat for long.. years ago, it wasn't a problem, because when the school left, another was right behind it.. Thats no longer the case... bob

Re: Mackerel?
 

Not sure what your looking at but if your gonna fish the ocean you should check a few things, especially in the winter. First the high temperature for Monday where you would be is 18 degrees with a wind out of the NW around 24 mph with gusts in the 30's. You do not want to be on a boat in that weather even if you are catching mackerel. I doubt the boat will sail anyway as its gonna be pretty rough. You should check windguru when you go fishing, you can see wind direction and wave height:

https://www.windguru.cz/264

good luck

Re: Mackerel?
 

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check that site out. As for the boat, I emailed the Cap and he responded quickly saying as of now they are still sailing but to keep an eye on the website. Might be an ice day for me instead, we'll see!

Re: Mackerel?
 

That Sheepshead Bay boat just cancelled their trips due to the fish disappearing. Yet another flash in the pan NJ mack season.

Re: Mackerel?
 

yeah, that figures,,,,,

Re: Mackerel?
 

Hook there's the possibility of snow this weekend as well, depending on which site you read anywhere from 5" - 12" depending on track. Water coming out of Hudson will drop significantly impacting ocean temps. With conditions forecast and weather over the weekend, you might consider other options.

Re: Mackerel?
 

yep, like putting your feet up close to the wood stove...;), thats what I'll be doing up here in the frozen north.. They are talking high winds after all the heavy snow, and below zero temps to boot.. No fish for me for a while..
Hell with it, we loaded up on medium shrimp for $4.99 a pound.. who needs fish?:rolleyes:...bob

Re: Mackerel?
 

Yeah, looking like I'm going ice fishing instead. It will be my first time so still exciting!