[619627]

Well as we come into the third week of April we usually see numerous schools of mackeral running off our waters at this time of the year. Its almost like clockwork every year. Fish work their way up the Jersey coast, and make a big swing to the east around the Ambrose Tower area. But with the winter we have had, it has put a damper on this happening. Cold water down south does not motivate the bluefish to push the mackeral up north. I spoke to someone today who reports that he has not heard of anything as far south as Cape May the other day.

I know a few guys who shark fish who are eagerly awaiting the mackeral, and i hope that we do not see a 5 day mackeral season in our area, where the fish breeze by, off between the 30-40 fathom line, and those 5 days have winds between 20-30 mph! If you guys hear of anything, please keep us posted!

EC NEWELL MAN*

 

[MakoMike]

E.C.
We have the same thread going in the offshore section. Last I heard they were still down around Ocean City.

 

[622730]

The Miss Chris out of Cape May was reporting they are still about 30 miles southeast of the Cape and have been there for a couple of weeks now. I trailer my boat and have been waiting to see them make their normal run in south jersey and that still has not happened. If anything changes I will let you know.

 

[Capt.XXX]

Next Week

I bet those little buggers will be here next week.

 

[Mad Mahi]

2nd hand info, but..

I know a captain that has a friend that did an offshore tile fish trip on Wednesday (4/16). Did good on the tiles and came across some large schools of macks on the return trip. Those macks were 15-20 miles off (S/SE?) of Sandy Hook!

Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[EdP35]

I noticed the Superspray started sailing for them out of Freeport, so they cant be too far away.

 

[ArtieFluke429]

how do you catch mackerel? i need to know everything .. i never caught one. what kind of tackle lures bait presentation ?

 

[MakoMike]

Artie,
Go to your local tackle shop and ask for a mackerel tree. Put a 4oz diamond jig on the bottom and jig it at the same depth as the fish. That's it, you'll catch 5 at a time.

 

[addict]

Artie - I don't know if the proper question is "how do I catch macks"?. Rather it's more like them catching your hooks. When it's thick, even I could catch them. Sometimes, with nothing but a bare hook.

 

[625313]

macks.....

2 questions...........what is the appropriate tackel (rod/reel) for the mackrel....plus i know the capt lou is going after them do you know of there catching them?

 

[625313]

forgot one thing......

what is with the obsessis with mackerels, can you eat them???? if not whats the deal?

 

[B.Attitude]

Few peolpe eat them,they are very oily,we hunt them down and stock up for shark bait.It saves me about 25.00 a trip.
paulie

 

[Pescador248]

so whats the latest word? where are they?

 

[loonzter]

Gunit, I've found if you call the party boat they are pretty good at telling you what fish they're going for and whether or not the fishing is good. I think they are pretty honest this time of year when everything is a little slow. Perhaps later in the year when the fish have busted loose all over most boats will say fishings great but I feel thats because any day might be a great day, spring fishing after a cold winter is usally pretty slow, water takes extra time to warm up party boat captains will let you know if it's worth your time.

 

[spygull]

Who eats mackerel?

I dont eat them, I dry them out in the sun, stick them on a pole and use them for patio lanterns. You light their tail and they will burn for 4 hours.

(This post edited by spygull on 04/21/2003)