Mackerel?

[bulletbob]

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

[frugalfisherman]

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

[torchee]

If mackeral are really being caught I'm there!

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

[Hookmanski]

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!

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Hookmanski

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!

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

[courbeco]

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.....

[olbarneybasser]

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!

[Hookmanski]

Originally Posted by olbarneybasser

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!

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 I guess i'll give the cap a call and see what he thinks.

[tombanjo]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

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

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

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by tombanjo

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

yeah, that figures,,,,,