Where to find those Solent mackerel?

[EugeneR]

Our "normal" way to catch mackerel is to look out for birds going after small fish which also seem to attract the mackerel. However, we don't see that as often as we would like so I'm curious where else to look for them.

Previous posts on this topic suggest simply trolling at 4 knots, with good success around the forts. Most add something along the lines of, "when the mackerel is there".

So, how do I know where they are?

Or is it genuinely just a case of trolling, for example, from Hamble to Cowes to Lymington, in the hope of accidentally running into some? I tried that before but spent more time removing seaweed from the hooks than anything else... and SWMBO does not like spending long periods cruising at slow speed.

Any guidance for this mackerel newbie would be appreciated.

Eugene

 

[Poignard]

Best way to catch mackerel is to try catching something else!

Seriously, I find trolling is usually successful (and enjoyable, especially on a forum ), 3-4 knots with a paravane and a spoon. I have caught them all over the Solent

 

[greenalien]

Try trolling in Hurst narrows on an incoming - or outgoing - tide. Just apply enough throttle to hold station and let the tidal current bring the fish to you; obviously, keep a good lookout, it's a busy spot!

 

[prv]

Try trolling in Hurst narrows on an incoming - or outgoing - tide.

My mate's dad is a keen fisherman and he reckons Hurst Spit is a good place for mackerel.

Pete

 

[srp]

I've caught them just off the shore between Portsmouth Harbour entrance and Gilkicker, between Norris Castle and Osborne Bay, between St Helens Fort and Bembridge Lifeboat Station, and around No Mans Land Fort. But as Parsifal said, anywhere in the Solent. If you're lucky you can get into a large shoal, complete with diving terns etc, but that is by no means usual.

A spinner or feathers, complete with a paravane, will almost guarantee success. If you get into a feeding shoal, there will be bass amongst them, so swop to a redgill just towed slowly on the surface, ie no weight apart from a swivel. (Please note I said bass, not sea bass, which is a fictional species dreamt up by poncy chefs).

 

[James Marinero]

Aye Aye +1

Try trolling in Hurst narrows on an incoming - or outgoing - tide. Just apply enough throttle to hold station and let the tidal current bring the fish to you; obviously, keep a good lookout, it's a busy spot!

+1 early morning, drift out with the tide and use feathers, jerking 6 at a go if you hit the shoal...or do it trolling 1 at a time...

 

[Mark-1]

A mate suggested WD40 on the lure. It worked for us with 4 going in the pan within 10 minutes around the Owers as we sailed at about 3-4knots.

Impossible to guess what we'd have got without it.

I've never had WD40 to hand since so it might have been fluke, but on the face ot it it worked a treat.