How to Catch Mackerel with Your Mum, Dad or Carer: A Family Guide

By Andy · Reviewed by Andy · Published 3 October 2026

Mackerel
Garfish
Float fishing
Feathering
Lure fishing
Shore
Harbour or pier
Beach
Rock marks
Boat
Beginner
Spring
Summer
Autumn

Mackerel are one of the best first sea fish for families. They often swim in shoals close to piers, harbours and rocks in the warmer months, they bite readily and they fight hard for their size. This guide explains what you need, how to fish for them together, and what to try if the fish aren't biting.

Who it suits: Families and complete beginners, especially a child fishing with a parent or carer for the first time. No previous sea fishing experience is needed. An adult should be in charge of casting, hooks and safety, while children can help with reeling, watching the float or rod tip, and handling the catch with supervision.
Conditions: Mackerel are generally a warm-season fish around the UK, most often caught from late spring through summer into early autumn, though timing varies by region and year. Calm to moderate seas, clear water and the hours around dawn and dusk are often productive. Many anglers find a rising tide and the period around high water good from piers and rocks, but this varies by venue. Avoid rough seas, strong onshore winds and poor visibility, and always check the tide times and forecast before you go.

What you need

A checklist to pack before you go. Tackle recommendations are editorial — we don't sell anything yet.

Essential

Sea fishing rod, about 8–10 ftSuitable for casting feathers with a lead from a pier or harbour. Check it is rated for the weight of lead you plan to use.Alternatives: A lighter spinning rod for small lures and float fishing, which is easier for children to hold.
Fixed-spool reelA medium-sized fixed-spool reel is simple for beginners to use.Alternatives: A smaller fixed-spool reel to match a light spinning rod.
Main lineChoose line strong enough to cast your leads and lures safely. Ask a local angler or tackle club for advice on what suits your venue.Alternatives: Braid with a mono leader for lure fishing.
Mackerel feathers or small shiny lure rigsMany families cut rigs down to two or three hooks to reduce tangles and the risk of hooks catching fingers.Alternatives: A single spinner or float rig for children.
Leads for feathering, roughly 2–4 oz (56–112 g)Use the lightest lead that lets you cast and reach the right depth, and that your rod can safely handle.Alternatives: A heavier metal lure on the end of the feathers can act as the weight.
Disgorger or long-nosed pliersFor removing hooks safely and quickly.Alternatives: Forceps.
Bucket and old towelA wet towel helps you hold fish gently. A bucket of seawater is useful for rinsing hands and holding the catch briefly.Alternatives: A fish mat.
Small knife or scissors (adult use only)For cutting line and preparing bait. Keep it with an adult.Alternatives: Line clippers.
Warm, waterproof clothing and hatsIt can feel much colder by the sea, even in summer. Bring sun hats and sun cream on bright days.Alternatives: Layers that can be added or removed.
Grippy, closed-toe footwearHarbour steps, piers and rocks can be slippery.Alternatives: Wellies with good grip or walking boots.
Life jackets or buoyancy aidsStrongly advised for children near deep water and needed on boats. Make sure they fit correctly.Alternatives: None. If unsure about safety, choose a safer spot.
Basic first aid kitInclude plasters and antiseptic wipes for small cuts and hook pricks.Alternatives: None.
Charged mobile phoneFor emergencies and checking tides and weather.Alternatives: None.
Snacks, drinks and hand wipesKeeps children happy and helps keep hands clean.Alternatives: None.
Rubbish bagTake all line, hooks and litter home with you.Alternatives: None.

Useful extras

Shock leaderA stronger length of line at the end of your main line helps when casting heavier leads. Ask about whether one is needed for your casting weight.Alternatives: Not usually needed for gentle lowering or very light lures.
Small metal lures or spinnersGood for spinning. Single hooks or fewer hooks are easier and safer with children.Alternatives: Feathers or float fishing.
Float rig with small hooks and float weightsA great child-friendly method. Watching the float go under is exciting.Alternatives: Spinning with a single small lure.
Link swivelsHelp reduce line twist and make changing lures quicker.Alternatives: Tie lures directly to the line.
Bait for float fishingA thin strip of fish works well. Once you catch a mackerel, a small strip of it can be used as bait.Alternatives: Lures and feathers need no bait.
Cool bag with ice packsOnly needed if you plan to keep some fish to eat.Alternatives: A plastic box with ice packs.
Drop netUseful from high piers for landing larger fish without breaking the line.Alternatives: Carefully lifting smaller fish straight up.
Sunglasses or safety glassesHelp protect eyes from hooks and glare.Alternatives: Any wraparound glasses.

Why mackerel are a great first fish

Mackerel are fast, stripy and full of energy. When a shoal comes close to shore, they will often grab small shiny lures, feathers or strips of bait. That means plenty of action, which keeps children interested. They are also good to eat if you decide to keep a few for the table.

They are usually not big fish, but they pull hard. A mackerel on light tackle feels like a much larger fish, which makes it exciting for young anglers.

Who this suits

This guide is for families and beginners who want a simple, fun first sea fishing trip. The idea is that a parent or carer and a child fish together:

The adult handles casting with heavier gear, hooks and unhooking.
The child helps reel in, watches for bites, and learns how to handle fish gently.
As the child gains confidence, they can take on more jobs.

When and where to go

Time of year

Mackerel usually arrive close to the UK coast as the water warms. In many areas, summer is the main season, with some fish around in late spring and early autumn. Ask local anglers or a local tackle club when mackerel usually show where you plan to fish, as it varies around the country.

Time of day and tide

Early morning and evening are often the best times.
Tide matters. Many piers and rock marks fish best for a few hours either side of high water, but every venue is different.
Check tide times before you set off, and plan your trip around them.

Good places to try

Place	Why it can be good	Things to think about
Piers	Often reach deeper water, easy to get to, may have railings	Check the pier's fishing rules, opening times and whether a ticket is needed
Harbour walls	Deep water close in, often sheltered	Watch for boats, ropes and slippery steps; check if fishing is allowed
Rocks and headlands	Deep water next to the shore	Slippery, exposed to waves and the tide; best left to experienced adults
Beaches	Safe, easy footing	Mackerel are often further out, so it may need longer casts
Boat trips	Can take you to where the shoals are	Choose a licensed charter skipper; life jackets needed

For a first trip with a child, a pier or a safe, railed harbour wall is usually the easiest choice.

Signs mackerel are about

Other anglers catching them.
Seabirds diving into the water.
Small fish jumping or the surface "boiling" as mackerel chase them.

What you need

The full list is in the checklist, but the basics are:

A sea rod and reel, about 8–10 ft for piers and harbours, or a lighter spinning rod for lures.
Line strong enough for the leads or lures you are using.
Mackerel feathers or sabiki-style rigs, and leads to cast them.
Small spinners or metal lures.
A float set-up with small hooks and bait strips (a good choice for children).
A disgorger or long-nosed pliers for unhooking.
A bucket, cool bag and towel.
Warm, waterproof clothing and grippy footwear.
Life jackets where needed, especially near deep water or on a boat.

Step by step: catching mackerel together

1. Plan before you go

Check the weather forecast and tide times.
Check the local rules for where you want to fish, such as pier opening times, tickets and any fishing restrictions.
Pack the kit using the checklist.
Agree some simple safety rules with your child, such as "stay behind the line" and "never touch a hook without asking".

2. Choose a safe spot

Pick somewhere with good footing, ideally with railings.
Keep away from the edge if there are no barriers.
Leave plenty of space between you and other anglers, especially when casting.

3. Pick your method

There are three easy ways to catch mackerel. You can try more than one.

Feathering (best for the adult to handle)

Feathers are a string of several hooks with shiny feathers or tinsel attached, with a lead weight on the end.

Tie the feathers to the end of your main line and clip a lead to the bottom.
Check behind you, then cast out.
Let the lead sink. Count as it sinks so you can try different depths.
Reel in slowly while lifting and lowering the rod tip, so the feathers dance.
If you feel tugs, keep reeling steadily. You may have more than one fish on.

Tip for families: Feather rigs have lots of hooks, which can tangle and catch fingers. Many families cut the rig down to two or three hooks, and the adult does the casting and unhooking. The child can help reel in once the rig is out in the water.

Spinning with a small lure

A single small metal lure or spinner has fewer hooks, so it is easier for children to manage.

Tie the lure to the line, ideally using a link swivel to reduce twisting.
Cast out and let it sink for a few seconds.
Reel back at a steady, fairly quick speed.
Try different depths by counting down for longer before you start reeling.

Float fishing with bait (great for children)

Float fishing is gentle and exciting, because you can watch the float go under.

Set up a float with a small weight and a small hook.
Set the depth so the bait hangs a few feet under the surface to start with.
Put a thin strip of fish bait on the hook. Mackerel strip works well once you have caught one.
Cast or lower the float into the water.
When the float dips or shoots under, lift the rod and start reeling.

This method can also catch garfish, which are fun to see with their long, beak-like jaws.

4. Landing your fish

Keep reeling at a steady speed. Don't stop and start, or the fish may come off.
From a pier, you may need to lift the fish up smoothly. Mackerel are small enough to swing in carefully, but bigger fish may need a drop net.
Lay the fish on a wet towel or straight into a bucket.

5. Unhooking

An adult should do the unhooking at first.
Hold the fish firmly but gently in a wet towel.
Use a disgorger or long-nosed pliers to remove the hook.
Show your child how to do it, and let them try when they are ready.

6. Keeping or returning fish

Only keep what you will eat. Mackerel are best eaten fresh.
If you are keeping fish, dispatch them quickly and humanely, then put them in a cool bag with ice packs.
Return any fish you don't need gently and quickly, head first into the water if you can.
Check whether any local size rules or limits apply in your area.

What to do if you aren't catching

Don't worry. Even experienced anglers have days when the mackerel don't show. Here are some things to try.

Change your depth

Mackerel can be near the surface or much deeper.

With feathers or lures, count down longer before reeling.
With a float, make the depth deeper or shallower.

Change your speed

Try reeling faster, then slower.
Add little jerks and pauses to make the lure look like a darting fish.

Change your lure or bait

Swap to a smaller or shinier lure.
Try a different colour of feathers.
Use a fresh strip of bait on the float rig.

Change your spot or time

Move along the pier or harbour, if it is safe.
Look for diving birds or other anglers catching.
Come back at a different state of the tide, or in the early morning or evening.

Check your tackle

Are the hooks still sharp and not bent?
Is the line tangled or twisted?
Has weed gathered on the hooks or lure?

Ask other anglers

Most anglers are happy to help families. Ask politely what they have been catching and how.

Remember, it might not be the right day

Mackerel move in shoals and may simply not be close in. If nothing is biting, try again another day. You may catch other fish instead, such as pollack, pouting or wrasse.

Making it fun for children

Keep trips short. An hour or two is plenty for younger children.
Give them jobs. Reeling, watching the float, filling the bucket with seawater and counting fish.
Bring snacks and drinks. Hungry anglers get grumpy fast.
Celebrate small wins. A first bite or a first cast is worth cheering.
Take photos of their first fish before it goes back or into the cool bag.
Talk about the sea. Point out birds, crabs and boats to keep interest up when bites are slow.

Before you go home

Take all your rubbish, line and hooks with you. Discarded line can harm birds and wildlife.
Wash your hands well after handling fish and bait.
Rinse your rod and reel in fresh water to protect them from salt.

Stay safe

An adult should always supervise children near water and stay within arm's reach of younger children.
Children should wear a correctly fitted life jacket or buoyancy aid near deep water, on harbour walls, rocks and on boats.
Always check the tide times and weather forecast before you go, and leave if conditions get worse.
Avoid rocks, breakwaters and harbour walls without railings when seas are rough or waves are breaking over them.
Watch out for incoming tides that could cut you off, especially on rocks and beaches.
Feather rigs have several hooks. An adult should cast and unhook, and many families use fewer hooks to cut tangles and accidents.
Always look behind and around you before casting, and shout a warning if needed.
Keep hooks, knives and leads in a box when not in use, and never leave hooks lying around.
Wear grippy, closed-toe footwear; harbour steps, piers and weedy rocks are often slippery.
Keep away from mooring ropes, moving boats and working areas in harbours.
Wear warm layers and sun protection. It is often colder and windier by the sea, and sunburn can happen even on cloudy days.
Wash hands after handling fish and bait, especially before eating.

Questions people ask

What is the best time of year to catch mackerel?

Mackerel are usually caught around the UK in the warmer months, mostly summer, with some fish in late spring and early autumn. The exact timing varies around the coast, so it's worth asking local anglers when they usually arrive.

What age can a child start sea fishing?

There's no set age. Many young children enjoy watching a float or helping reel in with an adult close by. Start with short trips, safe venues and simple methods like float fishing.

Are feathers safe for children to use?

Feathers have several hooks, so they can tangle and catch fingers. It's safest for an adult to cast and unhook feathers. Children can use a single lure or a float rig instead, or help reel in once the feathers are in the water.

Do I need a licence to sea fish?

In many parts of the UK, sea fishing from the shore for recreation doesn't need a rod licence, but rules can differ between areas and venues. Always check the local rules, including any pier tickets or restrictions, before you go.

What should I do if we don't catch anything?

Try changing the depth, the speed you reel, or the lure or bait. Move to a different spot or come back at another time of day or tide. Sometimes the shoals just aren't close in, so try again on another day.

Can we eat the mackerel we catch?

Yes, mackerel are good to eat and best enjoyed fresh. Only keep what you will eat, dispatch them quickly and humanely, and keep them cool. Check whether any local size rules apply.

Can we catch other fish while trying for mackerel?

Yes. Depending on where you fish, you might catch garfish, pollack, pouting or wrasse. It's a great way to learn about different sea fish.