Mackerel fishing - really seduce the North Sea tiger

A torpedo-shaped body and blue-black pattern on the back, and always in large quantities: the mackerel (Latin: scromber scombrus), popular as a tasty food fish, is a schooling fish. From May onwards, after spawning, it moves hungry to the coastal regions of the North Sea, sometimes as far as the Baltic Sea. Here you can catch them from the coast, from a fishing cutter or from a rental boat.

Fishing for mackerel from a boat

Sunny weather and calm seas are the best conditions for fishing for mackerel on a boat. You don't necessarily need an echo sounder, instead schools of seagulls are a sure sign of mackerel. The seagulls do not hunt the mackerel, but they also eat the smaller fish that flee to the surface from the predatory mackerel. When it comes to mackerel, the following applies: either there aren't any in sight, or you can catch a lot right away, because they almost always stay in the dense school.

To catch mackerel here, a mackerel paternoster is often chosen. A paternoster consists of a leader line to which several saltwater-proof hooks with fish skin, lure pearls, glittering threads or rubber cords are attached at regular intervals. At the end of the leader there will be a Lead weight or a Pilker attached, which can have an additional attraction. Since the mackerel are never very deep, you do not need to fish deeper than about 20 meters. Lower the paternoster to this depth and, with short pauses, pull the cord to the surface. If a mackerel has bitten, some anglers recommend waiting a moment. Due to the movement that the fleeing mackerel triggers in the other baits on the paternoster, several mackerels often climb in with it. This also increases the risk that the mackerel will come off the hook again. Since several fish can bite at the same time with a paternoster, you should use a sturdy rod and a sturdy reel Pirk recommendable. On Angelplatz.de you will find various Sea rigs, including paternoster.

Catch mackerel from the mainland?

Mackerel can also be caught from the surf, which is more fun for many anglers than with a paternoster. Piers and harbor edges are ideal fishing spots, especially in Denmark, Norway and the British Isles. You can fish with a light Spinning rod and a lure such as Blinker, spinner or Wobbler. Here, too, you can stick to seagulls when looking for mackerel, but experience shows that twilight and offshore winds create good conditions for surf fishing for mackerel.

What can you do with mackerel?

The red meat of this fish from the mackerel and tuna family contains many healthy nutrients such as vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids. Mackerel are very high in fat and spoil quickly, so they should be refrigerated immediately after being caught. Mackerel is processed in a wide variety of ways: steamed, fried, grilled or smoked.

Are you also a fan of mackerel? Then show us your catch or give us your best tips on equipment, methods and fishing spots for mackerel angling!