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Overview

How to target

Scad (Horse Mackerel)
Species ID: scad-horse-mackerel

Scad (Horse Mackerel)

Scad (horse mackerel) are a warm-season shoal fish that move close to UK shores in late spring and stay into autumn, with the most reliable fishing from late summer into early wint...

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

Best tide

flood

Moon

none

Season

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Wind

calm

Max weight

1.2 kg

Day vs night

Day 40%
Night 90% (best)
Scad (horse mackerel) are a warm-season shoal fish that move close to UK shores in late spring and stay into autumn, with the most reliable fishing from late summer into early winter if temperatures hold. For shore anglers, the prime areas are piers, harbour mouths, breakwaters and headlands with steady tidal flow—especially where there’s artificial light at night. A flooding tide that pushes bait in is often best, and the peak window is dusk into darkness. Work the midwater layers but don’t ignore just-off-bottom in deeper harbours; search the full water column until you locate a shoal. Light spinning/LRF tackle excels: a 2–15 g rod, small fixed spool, fine braid with an 8–12 lb fluorocarbon leader. Effective methods include small sabiki/feather rigs (sizes 6–10), 5–20 g metals and spoons, or a float-fished sliver of mackerel/squid or small sandeel. Retrieve slowly with twitches and pauses, or lift-and-drop a small jig so it flutters—scad often hit on the drop. At lit venues, cast beyond the light line and bring the lure back through the bright/dark edge; by day, target current seams and eddies. If bites are shy, downsize lures and hooks (size 8–12) and lengthen the leader. Keep a tight line—scad have tough mouths and can throw hooks. Handle carefully due to sharp lateral scutes. They’re best bled and iced quickly if keeping a couple for the table; otherwise unhook with a disgorger and release. Expect activity to dip after the first prolonged cold snaps.

Temperature

11–19°C

Depth range

3–35 m

Baits

  • Sabiki 9.2/10
  • Micro Metal (LRF) 8.6/10
  • Soft Plastic (Finesse Minnow) 8/10
  • Feathers 7.8/10
  • Mackerel Strip 7.2/10

Rigs

  • Feathers / Sabiki 9.3/10

    Fine-wire size 6-10 sabikis bag scad from piers/harbours, especially at dusk/night under lights. Work mid-water with a slow jig. Tip with tiny fish/squid slivers if bites are shy.

  • Float (Sliding) 8.5/10

    Presents small mackerel/squid strips mid-water around structure. Adjustable depth tracks moving shoals and casts better than fixed floats—great for calm harbour nights.

  • Dropshot 8.2/10

    LRF approach with size 8-12 hooks and isome or tiny fish imitations. Precise depth control for scad tight to quay walls and lights; subtle shakes and pauses draw takes.

  • Bombarda (Casting Float) 7.8/10

    Launch micro soft plastics or tiny metals to distant surface shoals from beaches or breakwaters. Slow retrieve with pauses holds the lure mid-water where scad patrol.

  • Jighead 7.5/10

    1-5 g head with 1-2 inch soft plastic. Work along pier edges and current seams; count down to mid-water and retrieve steadily. Good when fish are scattered.