Who wants to gloat

[Paul the Gardener]

For all you fishermen, Whats the biggest fish that you have ever chaught.

[benner]

Don't go often enough tbh... I work in Hamble Point Marina so have no excuse really!
Biggest eating fish was a Ray 5 or 6 lb ish! I only ever seem to catch little ones I've caught bigger carp but they don't really count. Went out on a charter boat a few weeks before xmas really bad day for all on board but my 2 yr old enjoyed her Pouting and Chips the following day! I preferred the whiting I have to add.

Might try and go this weekend if the cold weather hangs about

[ajstone]

57lb Conger Eel that I never ate, a 31lb Cod that I did, it was really yummy.

[Milims]

I've never actually been fishing - but it's something I'd love to do. In fact I reacently said to my OH that for my birthday he was to book me a place on the local sea fishing boat trips!

[jim]

Never actually weighed any. But I do enjoy June when the mackerel are running and feathers can get you half a dozen on the line at a go! Barbied mackerel, soused mackerel, smoked mackerel ..... salivating at the thought!

Love and Peace
Jim

[Odsox]

I only ever fish for mackerel off the rocks in front of the house ... now that's really fresh fish, can be caught, cooked and on your plate in minutes.
Not sure the biggest but one day I caught 6 on all 6 feathers on the trace, it was one hellovva job to land them.

[Birdie Wife]

4 1/2lb pollack caught with light spinning gear from a SOT kayak. Nearly caught a young basking shark while spinning for mackerel on the same day though! Ah, the one that got away...

[red]

I only ever fish for mackerel off the rocks in front of the house ... now that's really fresh fish, can be caught, cooked and on your plate in minutes.
Not sure the biggest but one day I caught 6 on all 6 feathers on the trace, it was one hellovva job to land them.

oh I'm jealous of you there... I have only caught mackerel off a boat.. and i get horrendously sea sick.. so its just not worth it

any advice for mackerel fishing from the shore? high tide?

[Odsox]

any advice for mackerel fishing from the shore? high tide?

Yes, high tide is best. The water is deep though, it goes straight down for about 20 feet from the rocks I stand on, so at high tide there's not so much chance of snagging the hooks on the weed.
On a good day the surface of the water "boils" with fry being chased by the mackerel, then you have a pretty good idea where to cast

[Green Aura]

OK - stupid question time. Do you have to have a real rod and tackle or can I have some sort of homemade gizmo. Advice appreciated.

[Odsox]

OK - stupid question time. Do you have to have a real rod and tackle or can I have some sort of homemade gizmo. Advice appreciated.

Yes you do really need a rod, a reel, good quality line, some sort of lure type hook and a weight.
The reason for that is you have to cast out as far as you can and then wind in the line either smoothly or in a jerky fashion until either you catch a mackerel or you have rewound it. The lure (I use feathers) is designed to look like a shoal of small colourful fish and your job is to make them look realistic as they apparently swim through the water. Mackerel being greedy predators will then grab the "fish" only to find a hook in it's mouth.
If you go out in a boat, you only need the line and lure but a rod is a lot cheaper than buying a boat

[benner]

OK - stupid question time. Do you have to have a real rod and tackle or can I have some sort of homemade gizmo. Advice appreciated.

Ever since I was a kid I know that loads of people have caught fish on the Hamble with crab lines. Although I've never tried myself, a few of the guys at work have caught plenty of bass in the summer on hand lines baited with bacon! Also I've seen mullet caught on line tied to a big bit of bamboo, small hook baited with bread flake. But then I guess it depends where you can get access to the water.

You can knock up a hand line from nylon twine or something similar. If you can get to a pier or breakwater or anywhere where the water is deep close to the shore, then I don't see why you shouldn't have a good chance of catching fish.

[jim]

Dear Green Aura,

Good old Ray Mears has shown designs for catching fish from a line wrapped round an empty beercan, and most seaside tat-shops have cheap, hand-held crabbing lines for sale. Our hunter/gatherer ancestors didn't have access to carbon fibre rods, nylon line and steel hooks. So, go on, improvise, you never know your luck!

Benner, what size hook? How much bread crumb? And do you have to drop it very close to the mullet? I've never caught one and have only ever seen anyone get them by foul-hooking, to find out there's a more humane way interests me.

Love and Peace
Jim

[benner]

Benner, what size hook? How much bread crumb? And do you have to drop it very close to the mullet? I've never caught one and have only ever seen anyone get them by foul-hooking, to find out there's a more humane way interests me.
Jim

Fishing for mullet is similar to stalking carp on fresh water, they are both notorious for throwing hooks, so I reckon something like a size 8 carp hook with a small amount of bread pinched over the bend and eye. Keep an open for fish feeding on the surface, this is easy in the marinas as in the summer they can be found feeding on the weed on the pontoons. Drop your bread flake as close to the fish without spooking and see how you get on. They can be very difficult to catch so have patience!

Just out of interest, where in Hants are you?

Give it a try, good luck
Benner

[jim]

Dear Benner,

Thanks for the info, will give it a try in when I next see mullet in Fareham Creek.

I'm on the outskirts of Fareham, near the Wickham road,

Love and Peace
Jim