Popular Post Malc Posted July 11, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 11, 2023 Yes, you read it right. Inter Continental Ballistic Mackerel! I went out fairly early to have few hours up to the top of the tide to try for pollock over a reef that is topped by kelp, so perfect ambush territory for them and deeper water alongside that gives up a few codling. There were gulls picking at fry on the surface, I'd seen them on Sunday which made up my mind to go out. First drift was a right off as the drift was away from the reef, the second was better and I was able to cast onto the reef. Rig was a light-ish lure rod 28-60g and 12g texas rig and 8" curltail, I have to count down until it hits the top of the weed but it takes a few casts to get right and eventually I am fishing. Soon I am getting small rattles but no hits, so I switched from plotter to sonar and the screen is alive with colour, mackerel! Nothing unusual but a couple of times I heard splashes but wasn't seeing what it was but eventually I saw a mackerel come 4-5' vertically out of the water and a big swirl behind it. I thought it was a mega pollock but didn't bring any mackerel shaped lures with me so kept on with the curltail. A couple of minutes later I nearly fell out of my kayak as a seal came out of the water like a whale! It was about 30m away right in front of me and it got more than 1/2 its body length out of the water before slamming back down. I think that it was hiding amongst the kelp waiting for the mackerel to go over and then pushing off the rock and attacking the shoals. I tried elsewhere for codling but there was too much free food in the water but I did have a couple of drops for mackerel so I have some fresh mackerel for food and bait. More scenic pics later when I download from my camera. daio web, thejollysinker, Geoff and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 Good work! I wonder if the fish were spooked by the seal. I've known shore marks that turn right off once a seal shows up. Might explain the lack of pollack to your lures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted July 11, 2023 Author Share Posted July 11, 2023 (edited) On 7/11/2023 at 10:12 AM, Andy135 said: Good work! I wonder if the fish were spooked by the seal. I've known shore marks that turn right off once a seal shows up. Might explain the lack of pollack to your lures? The reef is covered by about 20 ft on big tides so yes. Fortunately the surrounding sea is 35-40 ft so a decent pollock can power away from them but over the reef is ideal ambush area which is why pollock like it too. Too much bait fish of all size in the water doesn't help, I gutted 9 mackerel just offshore and the gulls were too stuffed to be bothered to come over! Edited July 12, 2023 by Malc daio web 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaByte Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 On 7/11/2023 at 4:29 PM, Malc said: The reef is covered by about 20" on big tides so yes. Fortunately the surrounding sea is 35-40" so a decent pollock can power away from them but over the reef is ideal ambush area which is why pollock like it too. Too much bait fish of all size in the water doesn't help, I gutted 9 mackerel just offshore and the gulls were too stuffed to be bothered to come over! 35 to 40 inches? Do you mean feet? Malc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted July 12, 2023 Author Share Posted July 12, 2023 3 hours ago, MegaByte said: 35 to 40 inches? Do you mean feet? Yeah, my bad, probably not wearing my glasses. Sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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