experienced fisherman ???

[<(Andy2009)>]

make that 2 0f us mate i am similar to to you, macki been getting caught almost a week now on shields pier, and iv'e been on pier 4 times this last week and not once have i fished for mackeral, i prefer bait fishing even if i blank. you see the same numpties fishing for the macki day in day out whilst the macki are there getting bags of them then bragging how many thy have caught thinking no one else has done the same and that'll go on till the macki disapear..

Not forgetting the chinese who have been back n forth with a big bucket constantly filling it with macky. We watch them and if they get smalll coalies they just toss them aside and leave them on the ground. There'll be harsh words this year if they do it, those coalies could go back n grow big for the rest of us, not flap around and die on the pier, its just insane:exclam:

 

[Mogthemackem]

As the fish take a while to die I suppose this debate will go on forever as they do always swim away like bullets when put back. Unless anglers see them float to the top immediately they will think they're ok and will continue to fish for them. I've only put one back this season (my first on - superstitious/good luck thing). I just held my hook and shook it off though rather than handling it. Every mackerel you do handle fills your hands with scales so it's obvious that you're doing damage to them. I'm pro conservation as much as the next man as are a lot of people on here but unfortunately we're not the people doing the most damage. It's the numpties who only fish in the spring (we all know who they are) who do the damage. Black bags full of rotten fish and then 6 daylights and a spinner on their spinning rods throwing back full houses. If they're not throwing them back by then they're kicking them back or throwing them at eachother. As said before as long as the majority of us on here do our bit it's about as much as we can do. Unfortunately there's too many people already stuck in their ways and too arrogant to change no matter what is said. I watched a guy pulling fish after fish out on his spinner the other day and put every one back. He was obviously only fishing for sport and seemed a nice genuine bloke but maybe didn't realise he would be killing every one by holding it first and then putting it back. Suppose we can mention it to people and hopefully some of the more considerate will listen!

 

[Lowrider]

Just a question if so many die and during the summer months so many are caught and put back why is more of them not seen around the piers etc.
Ok i know tides and current have a part to play but i would still have thought more would be seen?

 

[rich666]

MACKEREL Fishing the Simple answer.

kill what you want to keep quickly and humanely (I use a brass headed priest) fish using spinners where possible with a single hook or a razor double instead of a treble, squash the barb edge to make it easier to unhook.

MOST IMPORTANTLY - once you have the amount of fish you want to keep - STOP!!


Change tactics and fish for something else using bait or give someone else a chance to catch - Go home, read a book or whatever!!

If fishing with feathers clip the rig down to 2 only, debarb the hooks and use them like that (they're easier to unhook, and you can make spare rigs with the clipped ones.)

 

[paulthespark]

MOST IMPORTANTLY - once you have the amount of fish you want to keep - STOP!! :


if you where fishing a night sesh in winter time and on your first 5 casts you had 5, 5lbs cod [total fantasy i know]would anyone on this site stop fishing,because they had caught enough fish for the table or for the sport, i don't think so,you would all keep fishing on, so why is it different for mackerel which by the way are a far superior fighting fish pound for pound than cod and on light tackle more fun.

 

[<(Andy2009)>]

Thats wat a meant. 9 out of 10 of the mackerel i return swim away. who's to say they die later?? if there was proof that the mackerel I CORT died later i would be stumped...

I only like to keep around about 20, 10 4 bait, 10 for eating, but its ok to keep fishing for them if your putting them back. OK, u may get the odd foul hooked one, but thats part of fishing

nuff said....

 

[Tompa]

MOST IMPORTANTLY - once you have the amount of fish you want to keep - STOP!! :


if you where fishing a night sesh in winter time and on your first 5 casts you had 5, 5lbs cod [total fantasy i know]would anyone on this site stop fishing,because they had caught enough fish for the table or for the sport, i don't think so,you would all keep fishing on, so why is it different for mackerel which by the way are a far superior fighting fish pound for pound than cod and on light tackle more fun.

I don't think anyone on this site would stop fishing if they were catching cod like that,,,but,,,,a cod provided it isn't deep hooked will go back, whereas a mackeral might die anyway. That's what this thread was started for,,,,,will a mackie go back and stay alive after it's been handled,,,maybe/ maybe not, but we know that cod will ;-)


Cheers

Tony

 

[5150]

ack, I hate this debate every year!

Look, ALL fish have a protective mucous coating on them (which is why some are so slimy and others aren't) - if you plan to release then go barb less and try not to handle (shake off with tongs etc. If you have to handle then use a wet (sea water) cloth so the acids on your skin are minimized in contact with them.

I'm touching 40 and have kept tropical's since I was 12yrs old, loaches (Botia) are a pain for their sensitivity in this area, but sensible handling hasn't ever lost me one.

Handle with care if you're not going to kill, simple as that.

 

[Lowrider]

Must admit with all fish i always use a wet towel anyway

 

[dizzydaz]

I don't think anyone on this site would stop fishing if they were catching cod like that,,,but,,,,a cod provided it isn't deep hooked will go back, whereas a mackeral might die anyway. That's what this thread was started for,,,,,will a mackie go back and stay alive after it's been handled,,,maybe/ maybe not, but we know that cod will ;-)


Cheers

Tony

who is to say that a cod would survive as a few i have hooed just through the lip the swimbladder has actually inflated that bad that if it was returned it would of died

 

[RedcarUk]

lets gets this into perspective we catch an odd few but the trawlers can scoop 500 tons in 1 trawl.

i keep maybe 5 or 6 rest go back if they die other sea creatures benefit namely seals or crabs or other scavangers etc so it ways the odds out.

 

[Lowrider]

lets gets this into perspective we catch an odd few but the trawlers can scoop 500 tons in 1 trawl.

i keep maybe 5 or 6 rest go back if they die other sea creatures benefit namely seals or crabs or other scavangers etc so it ways the odds out.

I agree but we always have to be wary of the anti brigade using this sort of stuff as an excuse for a ban