MACKEREL
FILLET. Feathering or float fishing for mackerel is usually the quickest
method of securing fresh bait but be sure to take a cool box with you as mackerel
flesh goes off very quickly. Once you get home give the mackerel a quick rinse
and then freeze them individually in aluminium foil until needed for use.
A
whole side of mackerel is an excellent bait for larger predators such as bass,
tope and conger. A big bait like this is best fished on a Pennell rig with forged
hooks of size 4/0 upwards. Mackerel strips fished on size 2/0 to 3/0 hooks is
a prime bait for targeting dogfish. Black bream will happily take a sliver of
mackerel on even smaller hooks.
When
fishing for tope and conger don't forget to use a wire biting trace and an 80Lb
BS rubbing trace. A whole fillet can be left 'flat' with a hook in either end
or wrapped (skin inside or skin outside - according to your preference) to resemble
a small fish. Either way you can stuff the whole bait into the capsule.
Hold the rod if you can or leave the reel in free spool with the ratchet on.
When using a DV8 capsule you will be amazed how far a mackerel can fly!
