Mackerel rigs

[UNDEROVER]

Curious as to what everyone is using to catch these tasty speedsters. I have my own methods, but I'm rapidly finding out that dependant on where you live, everyone seems to have a particular "rig" that they use.
Looking forward to a few variations!

[roverrescue]

3 options up this way... for me anyways!

1/ stickbait, 5cm single strand, popper stick + saltiga - awesome visual aerial hits.

2/ trolling Xrap deeps or Halcos, good for new anglers or exploring new ground.

3/ 10/0, 30cm single strand a balloon and a 20cm yellow tailed fusilier. On the right bommies they are not called "5 second fusiliers" for nothing!

Spanish are the only keepers for us, sharkies & schoolies go back and we dont get many/ any spotties.

Steve

[Pilbara130]

Hi underover

I fish in the Pilbara W.A and i usually troll for Mackys with a red head Halco lure they love them.

When ever i am bottom bouncing i will have a mullie out the back on a gang floating once the action is on down the bottom the Mackys get all stired up and smash it.

Nothing hits harder than a good size Spanish Mackeral and you gotta love the text book second run from the boat.:D

[UNDEROVER]

I did a trip to the new hanover region of PNG chasing GT's a couple of years ago, and was astonished at the amount of macks we were getting on poppers and stickbaits, and yes the air that these fish were getting was amazing!
Mind you, they didn't put up much competition with the drag settings we were using. Although not big fish (about 8-12kgs) at best they pulled a few metres of braid. The GT'S on the other hand.:D

[Bearman]

Here's one I got out the reef a few years ago. The bait used was 180gr solid military .303. Had to dive over to get him!!!!

[Pilbara130]

Bearman your one crazy dude.
Love your work

[Ean Austral]

When I was Makeral fishing we used to use spoon lures. easy to make , get some thin stainless and shape it like a shoe horn, then screw a hook to it.
It they weren't biting the silver, we used to get different colour rope and unlay it then cover the lure in it and see what colour they went for.

Put an old bike tube on the boat end if trolling to take the strike..or a rubber ring of some sort..

Cheers Ean

[UNDEROVER]

The bloke who ran the property we used to go to on Cape York used exactly the same method Ean.

Bike tube attached to the boat, venetian blind cord, 2 feet of single strand wire then a huge spoon, and after the strike, the mack planed to the surface where it was unmercifully dragged to the back of the boat then dispatched with a hardwood club.

It was fairly brutal but it definately beat the noahs who were always on the hunt for an easy meal.