the earliest you can reasonably expect to catch the first macky off the north east coast is about the 3rd week in may (this is the earliest i have ever caught one anyways) but it is more likely around mid june before large numbers can be expected, that said the macky season does seem to be getting longer each year but it seems as if they are staying aroung longer at the end of the season rather than arriving earlier each year. the last few years i have had my best macky sessions of the year late september / early october, getting big bags of macky at this time of year was unheard of 20 years ago. there is always the exeption to the rule, i remember 20 odd years ago a macky being caught on bait from roker pier on the last day in november !!!!!!!!!!
its interesting to note that the first macky of the year in the ne is usually caught from seaham pier, its usually a couple of weeks later when they show on roker and shields piers.
