Mackerel are the most accessible sea fish for recreational anglers in the UK. They arrive in vast shoals around British coasts from late spring, are catchable on almost any tackle including spinning gear, float rigs, and feathers, and are arguably the best-eating sea fish regularly taken by UK recreational anglers.
A day of mackerel fishing in July or August – fishing with feathers over a mark where shoals are pushed to the surface – is one of the most productive and satisfying sessions in UK sea fishing. Multiple fish per cast, bent rods, and the prospect of fresh mackerel for supper. It is typically the species that hooks children and beginners on sea fishing for life.
[Image placeholder: An angler holding a string of freshly caught mackerel on a boat, showing the iridescent green and blue metallic bands on the back contrasting with the silver-white belly, the characteristic wavy dark lines on the upper flanks]
Identification
Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) are one of the easiest fish to identify in UK waters:
- Wavy dark lines on the upper back: Distinctive zigzag or wavy dark bars across the back and upper flanks, on a metallic blue-green background. This pattern is unique among common UK sea fish.
- Forked tail and streamlined body: The narrow wrist before the tail (caudal peduncle) and deeply forked tail are characteristic.
- Finlets: A series of small finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins, giving the tail section a distinctive appearance.
- Iridescent colouration: When fresh, mackerel are spectacularly coloured – the metallic blue-green of the back, contrasting belly. This colour fades rapidly after death.
- Size: Typical UK mackerel are 25-40cm; fish over 40cm are specimens. Minimum landing size 20cm in English waters.
Distribution and Seasonality
Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) arrive in UK inshore waters from approximately May-June and are present through to October-November, when they move offshore to deeper water. The inshore season:
- South coast (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset): First to arrive, from late April/May. Falmouth, Newquay, Plymouth, and Weymouth all have strong mackerel seasons.
- East coast: Arrive slightly later, June-July. Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk marks.
- West coast: Available from Wales and north-west England from June onwards.
- Scotland: Present from July-August; particularly prolific from the Firth of Clyde and west coast.
By late October, mackerel have generally moved offshore from most UK shores.
Shore Fishing for Mackerel
Float fishing (standard method)
A simple and effective approach for shore mackerel:
Tackle: A spinning or sea fishing rod 8-12ft, medium fixed-spool reel with 15-20lb braid or 12-15lb mono. A sliding or fixed float to set the bait depth.
Rig: A float rig with two or three size 2-4 hooks below the float, set at different depths (0.5m, 1m, 1.5m below the float). Small strips of mackerel belly, sandeel sections, or a small metal lure on each hook.
Technique: Cast ahead of the direction of tidal flow and allow the float to drift with the tide through the productive area. Mackerel intercept the moving bait. The best results are when mackerel are visible at the surface (often being pushed up by predators – bass, dolphins, tuna – beneath them).
Feathers
Mackerel feathers (a string of 5-6 small feathered hooks on a single trace, fished behind a heavy chrome lead or pirk) are the most efficient mackerel catching method from boats and sometimes from piers. They produce multiple fish simultaneously – a full string of six mackerel is a common result.
From shore, feathers are cast and retrieved rapidly through a mackerel shoal. On busy pier heads in summer, the feather-and-pirk approach is common.
Spinning
Small silver or chrome spinners (5-10g) cast and retrieved quickly through areas where mackerel are showing produce results. Any flash and vibration attracts mackerel. Small metal lures, silver spoons, and even small sabiki rigs (multiple very small hook rigs) are used.
Boat Fishing for Mackerel
From boat, mackerel fishing is fast and prolific when fish are located:
Drifting with feathers: The standard approach. A 6-hook feather trace (white or silver feathers, size 1-2 hooks) is lowered to a depth where fish are located (often 3-10m beneath a shoal visible on a fish finder), then jigged up and down with a sharp lifting action. Multiple fish simultaneously.
Live bait and pollack connection: Many boat anglers catch mackerel specifically to use as live or fresh dead bait for bass and pollack fishing. A live mackerel is an excellent bass lure from boat marks.
Bag Limits and Conservation
As of recent UK regulations, recreational anglers can retain up to 20 mackerel per person per day from English waters. These figures change with stock assessments – verify current bag limits with the Marine Management Organisation before your session. Mackerel stocks are not under the same pressure as cod, but over-filling freezers with mackerel you cannot use is irresponsible.
Keep only what you will eat fresh. Mackerel deteriorate very rapidly – gut and ice them immediately, consume within 24-48 hours for best quality.
Eating Mackerel
Mackerel are one of the finest eating sea fish available to UK anglers. The oily, firm flesh is at its best within hours of catching. Classic preparations: – Grilled whole with a slash on each side, seasoned, skin charred – Smoked mackerel (hot smoking is a straightforward process) – Mackerel pate – Mackerel fillets griddled with gooseberry sauce (a classic British combination)
The quality of fresh mackerel from the sea compared to commercially caught fish is significant – a mackerel eaten the same day it was caught is a completely different experience to a bought product.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do mackerel arrive inshore in the UK?
The south coast receives mackerel from late April-May. The north coast and Scotland typically see inshore mackerel from June-July. Most UK shores have mackerel through July and August. By October-November, fish move offshore and shore fishing declines significantly.
What is the minimum size for mackerel?
The minimum landing size for mackerel in English waters is 20cm (total length). However, the bag limit is more relevant as a conservation tool – keeping only what you will eat and not exceeding the current bag limit is the responsible approach.
Can I fish for mackerel at night?
Mackerel are primarily daytime feeders. At night, mackerel shoals disperse and move deeper. Most productive mackerel fishing is from dawn to dusk, with peak activity often in early morning and evening. Night fishing produces very few mackerel by comparison.
Are mackerel the same as horse mackerel?
No. Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and horse mackerel (scad, Trachurus trachurus) are different species. Scad have a distinctive row of sharp-edged scales (scutes) along the lateral line and a different body shape. They are caught alongside mackerel in summer but are generally smaller and less desirable to eat.
What is the British record for mackerel?
The British record mackerel stands at just over 5lb (verify with the British Record Fish Committee). Mackerel this size are exceptional – typical UK mackerel are 0.5-1lb. The largest mackerel are taken from boat marks offshore in late summer.