6/22 amazing whiting/haddock - Page 3 - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

fishark531 · #21 06-29-2018, 05:43 PM

I would skip on Mackeral

8 hours is enough

Use Squid and cut up Whiting for bait

Mackeral are a waste of time on an 8 hour trip

But it is your trip and do as you please

MohawkJD · #22 07-01-2018, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigal427

Yes I did schedule a Whiting trip and said I would also like to catch some mackerel for bait. Do you bring your own rigs or use theirs?

With mackeral, you'll be constantly changing bait or losing it. I found squid to be the easiest. You can use the the same pieces over & over so you can get back to the bottom faster. 3/0 or 4/0 hooks, but we've 5/0 on some trips. You don't lose rigs up there, so bringing all 3 sizes is easy. I use circle hooks, but most use J's. Reels with 300-350 yards of 50lb braid & a 10-20 ft mono top shot will work. I use a Saltist 30. Very simple fishing.

bigal427 · #23 07-01-2018, 08:04 PM

Thanks for the reply. The mackerel would be for bait in Jersey. It's my favorite fluke bait and you can't get Boston Mackerel around here anymore.

MohawkJD · #24 07-02-2018, 06:17 AM

Eastman's has incredible mackerel fishing when it's in season which I believe is now. Not sure how it is at the end of Aug. Check their fishing reports before your trip. It's a long way to go for a half day trip, but you could go the afternoon before your trip. I'll be up there the 13th, I'll let you know how they're doing.