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Overview

How to target

Mackerel
Species ID: mackerel

Mackerel

Summer shoals push close to UK shores from late spring, with peak sport June–August. Look for clear, settled seas, birds working, and bait dimpling the surface. Piers, breakwaters,...

🌊 Tide: flood 💨 Wind: calm 📅 Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Best tide

flood

Moon

spring

Season

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Wind

calm

Max weight

2.6 kg

Day vs night

Day 90%
Night 20%
Summer shoals push close to UK shores from late spring, with peak sport June–August. Look for clear, settled seas, birds working, and bait dimpling the surface. Piers, breakwaters, harbour mouths and tidal headlands are prime; calm surf beaches can also switch on when sandeels are tight to the edge. The flooding tide up to high water is often best, especially around spring tides when bait is driven in. Dawn and dusk are standout times. Tackle is simple: a 9–10 ft spinning rod or light beach rod, a 20–30 lb leader to protect against multiple fish, and 20–40 g metals (slices, pilkers, slim jigs) worked at mid-water with varied retrieve speeds. Small sabiki/Hokkai rigs (3–5 small hooks) also score; cast uptide, count down, and lift-and-wind through the water column. Float-fishing a mackerel strip or sandeel set 2–5 m deep can be deadly on slower tides. Keep only what you need, use a drop net on busy piers, and avoid fishing in heavy swell or coloured water, which usually scatters shoals.

Temperature

10–19°C

Depth range

1–30 m

Baits

  • Feathers 9.5/10
  • Micro Metal (LRF) 9/10
  • Casting Spoon 8.8/10
  • Sandeel 8/10
  • Mackerel Strip 7.2/10

Rigs

  • Feathers / Sabiki 9.5/10

    The go-to from UK piers and rock marks in summer. Cast long, let it drop through the water column and jig. Takes fish midwater on tide runs; multiple hook-ups common. Match lead (2–4oz) to depth and tide.

  • Float (Sliding) 8.4/10

    Deadly when fish are close in or picky. Presents a small strip/sandeel at adjustable depth to drift naturally in the tide alongside piers or headlands. Stealthy and tangle-resistant in clear, moderate seas.

  • Bombarda (Casting Float) 7.7/10

    Launches tiny sandeel imitations or flies from beaches/rocks to reach scattered shoals. Use sinking/float versions to cover different layers; excels in clear water and crosswinds when mackerel are spread out.