Bass v Mackerel

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I realise it's a bit late in the year for this to matter but I'm off to Brittany next week and want to give fishing one more go.
What is the best way to catch bass and avoid mackerel whilst trolling. I've used a paravane at various depths and tried a range of garish lures and spinners but only mackerel seem interested. I don't like hauling them out with no intention of eating them - I have grave doubts that they survive when thrown back.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I realise it's a bit late in the year for this to matter but I'm off to Brittany next week and want to give fishing one more go.
What is the best way to catch bass and avoid mackerel whilst trolling. I've used a paravane at various depths and tried a range of garish lures and spinners but only mackerel seem interested. I don't like hauling them out with no intention of eating them - I have grave doubts that they survive when thrown back.

First catch a few mackerel.

Cut them into strips and put the strips on a large hook.
Bass eat mackerel. Mackerel don't.

 

[Sybarite]

Moor in an area of fast fowing tides with rocks on the bottom. Fish with a vertical line using a thin fish style lure attached to the line with the hooks at the head of the lure as opposed to the tail.

 

[ianat182]

Can I suggest you search for www.worldseafishing.com/lure-fishing/trolling-bass and print off the trolling for bass section by Mike Thrussell. Sand eels and lures are mentioned in the 8 page advice,handy to keep aboard.
A couple of catches in the Bristol area are illustrated 15lb 6ozs and 14lb! Any one would do me for a week!!
The French lures with waggly tails I bought, I haven't tried yet locally( I got them at The Range store for a couple of quid) but I live in hope - contained the instruction to allow the boat to drift downtide at no more than 1-2 knots twitching the lure/sandeels just above the bottom over rough rocky patches; obviously this has to be done with care if a deep keeled craft, and the cast is made uptide.
Wrecks are favoured also, preferably older than one's own, where pollack also congregate and may take the lure.

'Tight lines' as they say!

ianat182

 

[Neil]

First catch a few mackerel.

Cut them into strips and put the strips on a large hook.
Bass eat mackerel. Mackerel don't.

Mackerel will certainly eat a mackerel-baited hook. The OP mentioned trolling. Use a big bass lure - minimum of 15cm you'd be surprised how big a lure a bass will take. That said, I've never caught a bass trolling, only from the shore. (in fact on a recent 4-day fishing weekend, I was completely bass-less)

 

[rotrax]

I have only caught one Bass while using the diving vane-a 10 incher which was released.

The pro's who supply the rod caught Bass to expensive resturants often use joey's-7 or 8 inch mackerel-as live bait, usually on a long trace, up to 15 feet.
It is usually down to local knowlege of location and tide.

Good Luck.

 

[l'escargot]

Mackerel season is all but over, they'll be heading off to the deeper water now and won't be that plentiful.

 

[fisherman]

Live (small) mackerel is a good bait for bass, but if they come back with the back of the head bitten at this time of year, that's squid.

 

[rotrax]

Live (small) mackerel is a good bait for bass, but if they come back with the back of the head bitten at this time of year, that's squid.

Thanks-I'll remember that.

 

[Ariadne]

I've only ever caught bass on a fly rod - fantastic fun. Mackerel on really small trout gear is great fun as well.

 

[rotrax]

Earlier this year-late July- I caught the biggest mackerel I have ever seen.
26 inches long, estimated weight 2.5lbs.
I cooked the fillets in Portland Marina and ate them with bread and butter-Delicious!
First Mate will not eat fish-her loss!