Mackerel fishing - Page 2

spartacus · 19 February 2013, 20:47

+1 for the priest... the last thing they see.

It's important they're dispatched when landed or returned to the sea (especially if they're too small).

willk · 19 February 2013, 20:48

Everyone fixates on the hooks. It's the flippin' knife that will do for yer SIB. Make sure it has a flat tip.

Pikey Dave · 19 February 2013, 20:52

been fishing off ribs for 20 years using 5&6 hook rigs, never had a problem with hooks & tubes. Missus got a hook in her thumb once though. Had to cut the trip short, bugger!

andyhuddy · 19 February 2013, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

Aye then spend an hour getting the hooks out of the netting

Oh S**T!

Does anybody want a free telescopic landing net

Its ok for bass I suppose!

willk · 19 February 2013, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Missus got a hook in her thumb once though. Had to cut the trip short, bugger!

I had crew did that once. He wanted me to nip the shank and push the hook through. I refused on general principles and did a rapid RTB, sending him to a nearby A&E. The doctor chap was quite concerned about the placement of the hook and cut it out, apparently it was beside/above a nerve. Glad I passed on the bowie knife surgery!

Pikey Dave · 19 February 2013, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I had crew did that once. He wanted me to nip the shank and push the hook through. I refused on general principles and did a rapid RTB, sending him to a nearby A&E. The doctor chap was quite concerned about the placement of the hook and cut it out, apparently it was beside/above a nerve. Glad I passed on the bowie knife surgery!

The missus' went in through the pad of her thumb & the point was behind the nail so I couldn't push it through, had to goto casualty in Bayeux, Here we go thought I, hours of waiting & a mahosive bill at the end. As it was, we were in & out in 1/2 an hour & a £40quid bill which we reclaimed off the NHS when we got home

Nos4r2 · 20 February 2013, 02:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhuddy

Oh S**T!

Does anybody want a free telescopic landing net

Its ok for bass I suppose!

You'll use it, anything over about 3lb is far easier to net.

Regards finishing off Mackerel, thumb on the back of the neck (you'll feel the 'dip', then finger in the mouth. Bend it the neck back sharply. It kills them instantly. They'll start spasming immediately then stop moving in a couple of seconds.

Don't try it for any other fish, it doesn't work.

tony t · 20 February 2013, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

You'll use it, anything over about 3lb is far easier to net.

Regards finishing off Mackerel, thumb on the back of the neck (you'll feel the 'dip', then finger in the mouth. Bend it the neck back sharply. It kills them instantly. They'll start spasming immediately then stop moving in a couple of seconds.

Don't try it for any other fish, it doesn't work.

You lot are cruel buggers ... Stab um, bash um on the head, break their neck, choke um , ..... Thank fook for supermarkets I say .... Nice in a salad ...

tonto · 20 February 2013, 07:59

I take a cool box with about 6 inches of crushed ice/cubes in the bottom with me, and as soon as they get caught/dispatched, put them straight in the box, as mackerel start to turn quicly particularly on a warm day.

Also great for putting bass in as well, straight on ice, and then when you get them back to shore they are in tip top condition.

As for catching them, I dont worry about the tubes, all 6 feathers used, and just straight into a bucket, then icebox.

I sometimes use a small dexter wedge and troll slowly back to shore, and never worry about the treble, but if you are worried, get a small split ring from a tackle shop, cut the treble hook off, and and re rig the wedge using a single hook of your own choice.

However also for trolling close to shore, just put a 6 ounce lead on the line, and the normal feathers, and troll along at 3 knots or so, works a treat. If you want the feathers deeper, just let out more line, Simples!

Also the smaller mackerel make superb livebait for Bass, or you can keep them and freeze them use them for pike bait in the winter.

Starovich · 20 February 2013, 13:09

I've used hand lines with 12+ hooks on, just leave a larger space between the hooks and unhook the fish as they get to the boat, then stick the hook into a board.

Bigmuz7 · 20 February 2013, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

especially if there be trouble at the slip. Innit

I guess.. some guys are just trouble magnets

just remember to take it out of your trouser pocket before approaching the blond at the bar you intend to chat up

... she wont be impressed with all those scales

willk · 20 February 2013, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I guess.. some guys are just trouble magnets

just remember to take it out of your trouser pocket before approaching the blond at the bar you intend to chat up

... she wont be impressed with all those scales

As with most scales, it all hangs in the balance. I can't be doin' wi' blondes though - far too rich for my blood. Test drove a couple back in the day but got a decent brunette for the long term on account of the lower cost of ownership

two stroke mick · 20 February 2013, 15:28

To finish off fish I find shooting them very effective, be careful as the tubes dont like it much

willk · 20 February 2013, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

To finish off fish I find shooting them very effective, be careful as the tubes dont like it much

Now, would that be WITH a gun, like Bigwuzz...
Or OUT of a spudgun, like Pikey Dave?

Either way, they'll settle down fairly smartish

Pikey Dave · 21 February 2013, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

... she wont be impressed with all those scales

The smell could be a winner though....depending on where she's from

Pikey Dave · 21 February 2013, 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Now, would that be WITH a gun, like Bigwuzz...
Or OUT of a spudgun, like Pikey Dave?

Either way, they'll settle down fairly smartish

The latest thing in France over the last couple of years, is that it's illegal to cut the heads & tails off at sea, you have to land them intact. Also if you are an amateur fisherman (ie for your own use & not selling the fish) you have to cut a notch in the dorsal fin. French eh! gotta love 'em

kerny · 21 February 2013, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

French eh! gotta love 'em

tonto · 21 February 2013, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

The latest thing in France over the last couple of years, is that it's illegal to cut the heads & tails off at sea, you have to land them intact. Also if you are an amateur fisherman (ie for your own use & not selling the fish) you have to cut a notch in the dorsal fin. French eh! gotta love 'em

What the hell's the reason for that?

Cant see the problem with cleaning the fish offshore....

Nos4r2 · 21 February 2013, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto

What the hell's the reason for that?

Cant see the problem with cleaning the fish offshore....

For size monitoring at a guess.I assume you can still gut them to stop them going off, and I guess the notch is so it's obvious if fishmongers are buying from anglers.

I usually gut them offshore and finish the job ashore.

Pikey Dave · 21 February 2013, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto

What the hell's the reason for that?

Cant see the problem with cleaning the fish offshore....

As Nos says, for size checking. Basically, you can be searched in the harbour & if the fish have been topped & tailed & not notched you could be liable for a fine. The notch makes the fish identifiable as "Amateur" caught & not for resale. You can still gut the fish offshore, though I prefer to do the whole job offshore & leave the bits for the fishies & the birds instead of ending up in a bin.