Newport Beach Mackerel Bite

Went to Newport Bay on Saturday and kicked out to the end of the East jetty and the mackerel bite was on!

Unfortunately, I fumble fingered the camera yet again and didn't get most of it on camera, but it was pretty wide open. As the sun got higher, the fish moved lower in the water column until the bite finally turned off for me around noon.

I was surprised that the initial take from the macks seems a bit tentative and they didn't really come alive until they've been on the line for a bit. But they were lots of fun on light tackle and now I'm primed for some bonito action!



Happy fishing!

Great video and thanks for sharing.
Can you tell us about the rod and reel set ups?
The reason I ask at 1:33 it looks like you are using braid, and I never get a spot where I can see if you use a leader.

Thanks for sharing.

I'm using 15 lb braid with an 8 lb flurocarbon leader. The rods and reels are bargain bin specials from 10 years or more ago.

That was great buddy thanks for sharing.

Ornery Bob wrote:I'm using 15 lb braid with an 8 lb flurocarbon leader. The rods and reels are bargain bin specials from 10 years or more ago.

Thanks.
How long of a leader are you using, and how often do you need to retie it on?

I'm using about an 18 inch leader. I fish weekends, so I put on a fresh leader Friday night and then as needed. If a lure snags and I end up yanking on it, I'll put a fresh leader on, even if it eventually pulls free, but that doesn't happen all that often.

The main thing for me with the flurocarbon is good knot tying technique. You want to get your knots as tight as possible before you put any real pressure on the line and be sure to wet it. It's less forgiving than regular mono of getting hot from friction and then stretching. If the line is curly after you pull the knot tight, the line and the knot are both cooked and you have to start over.