GETTING THE BEST FROM FEATHERS

MACKEREL are present around much of the British coastline in summer and the most reliable way of catching them is on feathers.

Feathers are much more effective than spinners as the lead your use with the rig enables you to cast far further and fish at different depths easier so you’re able to cover more water in front of you.

Feathers usually come in a set of four and when there are a lot of mackerel about it is not uncommon to hook four fish at a time.

If you’re using a light rod it’s worth bearing this in mind as swinging a ‘full house’ of four good size fish in can put excessive strain on the tackle.

Usually, if I’m using a light rod I cut one or two of the feathers off to limit the number of fish I can hook.

If you are going to use feathers the perfect rod is a Spod rod which can cast a 4oz lead a long way and easily handle a ‘full house’ of fish.

Mackerel can be present at any depth so be prepared to try retrieving your feathers at different levels.

In my experience they are usually quite deep so start by letting the lead hit the bottom before retrieving the feathers.

The most effective way is to pump them in so the feathers rise and then fall as you wind in. A steady retrieve is nowhere near as effective.

If you are going to take any fish to eat take a cool bag to keep them fresh. In warm weather a fish left on the rocks will soon dry out and become inedible. It is an unacceptable waste to take fish and then not eat them!