Winter Orange County Mackerel Fishing

evanluck

Well-Known Member
#1
Any tips on the most reliable ways to target mackerel in the winter from either Balboa, Newport, or Huntington Beach?

Those piers slowed down so much last winter that after a few very slow outings, I just avoided them. However, they are so close to me and I'd like to take some friends fishing during the winter and want to target mackerel.
 

MisterT

Well-Known Member
#2
Sabiki with small hooks? Might help to catch sardines if mackerel aren't around.

Chumming with bread can help too.

Perhaps using bait. Shrimp? Versatile bait for different varieties of fish.
 

Ken Jones

Administrator
Staff member
#3
I don't think you need to worry about technique as much as the presence or lack thereof of the mackerel. They're pelagic and move around looking for food and unless it's in an area you are fishing you just may not see any. As a very general rule, Newport, Balboa and Redondo are the "mackerel" piers and should present the best opportunity for finding them.
 

evanluck

Well-Known Member
#4
Sabiki with small hooks? Might help to catch sardines if mackerel aren't around.

Chumming with bread can help too.

Perhaps using bait. Shrimp? Versatile bait for different varieties of fish.
Thanks for the suggestions.

Baited small hook sabiki beneath a float is my go to when I can’t get bites any other way.

But last winter I had a few outings where even that method only produced smelt.
 

evanluck

Well-Known Member
#5
I don't think you need to worry about technique as much as the presence or lack thereof of the mackerel. They're pelagic and move around looking for food and unless it's in an area you are fishing you just may not see any. As a very general rule, Newport, Balboa and Redondo are the "mackerel" piers and should present the best opportunity for finding them.
Thanks for the info! I’m taking a couple friends to Newport next Tuesday when high tide lines up with sunrise. Hopefully the mackerel will be around!
 

Rusty

Active Member
#6
Thanks for the suggestions.

Baited small hook sabiki beneath a float is my go to when I can’t get bites any other way.

But last winter I had a few outings where even that method only produced smelt.
I love mackerel fishing, even more so when people try to talk crap because they are “just” mackerel. Well, these macks fight harder than alot of other fish people chase after.

You are on the right track! Single or double hook under a float with chunks of oily mackerel works good with a really light rod.
Or the sabiki route: A lot of the regulars use 10+ hook sabikis, a 5 or 6 hook works good enough for me. I have found I like the “Sanhu” brand the best, green dot with white flasher fish skin, GOLD hooks (important!), i cut off the beads, maybe its all in my head, but i have better success cutting the glow beads off. I use big hooks, always! Size 1, 1/0, 2/0. I usually start off with the 2/0. And most of all, keep that sabiki moving, you may have to change up jig and retrieve speeds depending on their preference.

I’ve found that the time of day and amount of sunlight along with water movement is important when finding macs. At Balboa the mac attacks are heaviest in the early morning before sunrise and also during sunset hours. Its almost a guarantee at those hours, almost lol. Don’t forget the glow sticks for the dark hours! Good luck!
 

evanluck

Well-Known Member
#7
Thanks for chiming in Rusty! I do appreciate mackerel fishing too! They fight great...pound for pound better than a lot of other fish that are more prized. If only they got a little bit bigger but even with their relatively small size, it is a bonanza of fun especially for a newer angler!

Thanks for all the insight about hooks, sabikis, and time of day!

I love mackerel fishing, even more so when people try to talk crap because they are “just” mackerel. Well, these macks fight harder than alot of other fish people chase after.

You are on the right track! Single or double hook under a float with chunks of oily mackerel works good with a really light rod.
Or the sabiki route: A lot of the regulars use 10+ hook sabikis, a 5 or 6 hook works good enough for me. I have found I like the “Sanhu” brand the best, green dot with white flasher fish skin, GOLD hooks (important!), i cut off the beads, maybe its all in my head, but i have better success cutting the glow beads off. I use big hooks, always! Size 1, 1/0, 2/0. I usually start off with the 2/0. And most of all, keep that sabiki moving, you may have to change up jig and retrieve speeds depending on their preference.

I’ve found that the time of day and amount of sunlight along with water movement is important when finding macs. At Balboa the mac attacks are heaviest in the early morning before sunrise and also during sunset hours. Its almost a guarantee at those hours, almost lol. Don’t forget the glow sticks for the dark hours! Good luck!
 
#9
I love fishing for macks. Fun on light tackle...

On a picky Mack bite, I scale down to 4 to 6 pound test. Also When fishing at night, a glow light will help catch more macks. You can find some cheap lights at the Dollar Store. While your their buy some cheap cat food and chum a little bit to get the baitfish and macks to get into a feeding frenzy.