Spinning Rod Beginner tip: Perfect for mackerel and mullet sessions. Let the lure sink for a few seconds, then retrieve steadily. Always fish with an adult from piers and rocks and never stand too close to the edge. IDEAL Rod: 8–9 ft spinning rod rated 10–30 g. Reel: 3000–4000 size fixed spool reel. Line: 8–12 lb mono or 15–20 lb braid with 10–12 lb fluorocarbon leader. Terminal tackle ["Small metal lures or spinners" "Feather / sabiki rigs for shoals" "Slim float rig with size 4–8 hook and a small strip of fish or sandeel"] Extras ["Polarised glasses" "Long-handled landing net" "Barbless or de-barbed hooks" "Fish-safe unhooking mat or wet towel for piers"] Light spinning or float setup for midwater and surface-feeding sea fish.
About the Horse Mackerel (Scad) Scad look like slim mackerel with a harder lateral line. They often show up under harbour lights at night and give lively sport on light tackle. Junior tip Use small sabikis or tiny hook rigs with mackerel strip or worm under pier lights. A light spinning rod makes them great fun. Logged a Horse Mackerel (Scad) recently? Add a catch report so juniors can see where they’re being caught, which baits work and how your tackle was set up. Submit a catch report Want to discover more species? Browse the full species guide. ← Back to all species