Moreton Bay Classic Target Species Hints & Tips – MackerelMackerel are part of a large group of species called pelagic’s. They are migratory and feed upon other fish which sets the scene immediately on how to target them. There are 3 main species that are commonly caught in and around the Brisbane area. These 3 species are: School Mackerel, Spotted Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel. Spanish Mackerel or “Spaniards” are easily the largest of the species thus making them a highly sought after sports fish.
Mackerel visit South East QLD in summer and the best months to target them are from January to March when the water really warms up and the baitfish arrive in numbers. They can be caught outside this time frame with School Mackerel and Spotted Mackerel being found in the bay but just not as often. Mackerel have exceptional eye sight which they use as their number one weapon, seeing their prey before it sees them. They then use their phenomenal speed to seal the deal. All Mackerel species have extremely sharp teeth and need to be handled with care as they will strip your flesh down to the bone very easily. Mackerel like tuna, marlin, wahoo and kingfish can encircle baitfish and push them to the surface where they take turns at swimming through them to eat.
Picture 1: BFO member Boydy with a whopping 1.37m Spaniard taken on a whole Mack Tuna on the inside of Moreton Island.
In my opinion there are 4 ways to target these fish:
1: looking for the bait balls and birds circling then approaching from up current then drifting down and throwing lures at them with high speed retrieves. Moreton Bay around any of the shipping channels is good for this.2: anchoring up or drifting the beacons in the shipping channel and using livies or floating and sinking pilchards and other baits around the beacon. Good spots for this in the bay are along the western side of Moreton Island or out in front of Bribie Island.
3: trolling lures or baits around reefs or structure like beacons or rocky outcrops with deep water around. Common baits are live or fresh dead yakkas, gar, slimy mackerel, bonito etc. Popular lures include rapalas, silver spoons, skirted lures etc.
Picture 2: BFO member Leighton with a nice spotty caught using method 1.
4: anchoring or drifting a reef which is my preferred method and using livies or baits floated and sinking. Burleying brings them to you while anchored and you can use chopped up or minced pilchards, chook pellets, prawn shells and tuna oil etc. The mackerel tend to visit inshore reefs from sunshine coast to over into NSW and a lot of these reefs are just gravely bottoms. Wire leaders are commonly used for these fish because of their teeth and there are a few different types but I like the single strand around 30 to 40lb breaking strain but if it kinks it must be cut and retied. These fish will strike a bait at speed and will need the drag set to a firm 1/3 breaking strain of the line. Do not leave it in free spool or on bait runner as they will shake your hook in a blink of an eye.
Picture 3: BFO admin Angus with a schoolie caught using slugs around the shipping channel markers.
A gaff is preferred to land them as they will go straight throw a landing net with their sharp teeth, then a tap to the head with a length of wood to settle them from thrashing about in the boat. Bleeding mackerel improves the flesh for eating and icing down in an esky will keep your fish for 3 days if camping. I like to add a bit of salt water to make it a slurry.
Good luck!
Mark Sheehan
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