Mackerel Fishing in Kent

Kent has 61 shore marks rated for mackerel. They're ranked below by how strongly mackerel show at each spot, with today's live conditions beside every mark — so you can pick a spot that's worth fishing right now, not just on paper.

When to go

In season now
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best months: May–Sep · green months are prime, the outlined box is this month.

Tide Fish the flood

Time of day Daylight sessions fish best

Best mackerel marks in Kent

Ranked by how strongly mackerel show at each mark. The chip on the right is today's live fish forecast.

Deal Pier Hotspot for mackerel
Today 65 Good

Best summer to early autumn; use feathers, small metals or a float-fished strip bait when shoals are showing.

Folkestone Harbour Arm Hotspot for mackerel
Today 56 Fair

Best in summer and early autumn; use small spinners, feathers or a float-fished strip bait when shoals show.

Broadstairs Harbour Pier Hotspot for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Best from late spring to autumn on feathers or small metal lures when shoals are present.

Ramsgate East Pier Hotspot for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Summer shoals can be caught on feathers or small metal lures, especially on a flooding tide.

North Foreland Hotspot for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Common in summer on daylight tides; use feathers, small metals or baited float tackle when fish are showing.

Kingsdown Beach Reliable for mackerel
Today 65 Good

Summer shoals can come close in clear water; use feathers or small metal lures on a moving tide.

The Patch, Dungeness Reliable for mackerel
Today 65 Good

Available in summer when shoals are close enough; use feathers, a dexter wedge or small casting lures.

Viking Bay Reliable for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Summer shoals can reach casting range; use feathers, small metal lures or a float-fished strip bait.

Botany Bay Reliable for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Present in summer when clear water and baitfish are about; use feathers or a small metal lure at high water.

Palm Bay Reliable for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Summer shoals can come close on clear, moving water; use feathers, small metals or a float-fished strip.

Sandgate Beach Reliable for mackerel
Today 56 Fair

Summer visitor in clear water; cast a small feather rig or metal lure when shoals show close in.

St Margaret’s Bay Reliable for mackerel
Today 56 Fair

Summer daytime visitor; use a small feather rig or spinner when the water is clear.

Walmer Beach Reliable for mackerel
Today 65 Good

Seasonal shoals can come close in summer; cast feathers or a small metal lure into clear water, usually around high tide.

Samphire Hoe Reliable for mackerel
Today 56 Fair

Common in settled summer conditions; use feathers, small daylights or casting lures when fish are showing.

Joss Bay Reliable for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Often available in summer when clear water and baitfish are present; use feathers or small metal lures.

Kingsgate Bay Reliable for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Summer shoals can pass within casting range in settled weather; use feathers, small metals or float-fished strips.

The Stade, Folkestone Reliable for mackerel
Today 56 Fair

Common in settled summer conditions; feathers or small metal lures work when shoals are within casting range.

Copt Point Reliable for mackerel
Today 52 Fair

Summer visitor; spinners, feathers and small metal lures work in clear water.

Foreness Point Reliable for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Summer shoals can pass the point in clear, settled weather; use feathers, dexter wedges or small metal lures.

Louisa Bay Reliable for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Summer shoals can come close in clear, settled weather; use feathers or a small metal lure.

Ramsgate Western Undercliff Reliable for mackerel
Today 69 Good

Summer shoals can pass within casting range; use feathers or a slim metal lure in clear water.

The Warren, Folkestone Reliable for mackerel
Today 52 Fair

Summer shoals can be reached with feathers or small metal lures when the water is clear and moving.

Shakespeare Beach Reliable for mackerel
Today 56 Fair

Summer visitor; feathers or small metal lures work when clear water and baitfish are present.

Langdon Bay Reliable for mackerel
Today 56 Fair

Summer visitor; feathers, small metals and spinners work when shoals are within casting range.

Abbot’s Cliff Beach Reliable for mackerel
Today 52 Fair

Summer shoals can come close in clear, settled weather; use a small daylights or spinner on a light casting rod.

Plus 36 more rated marks — browse every mark in Kent.

Planning ahead? The live fish forecast map compares these marks across the week.

Tactics for mackerel

Top baits, best first

  1. Feathers
  2. Micro Metal (LRF)
  3. Casting Spoon
  4. Sandeel

Rigs that work, best first

  1. Feathers / Sabiki
  2. Float (Sliding)
  3. Bombarda (Casting Float)

Full tactics, seasonal detail and more baits are on the Mackerel species guide.

Mackerel fishing elsewhere