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Mackerel now a popular fish to catch and eat
Mackerel were, at one time, not on the menu for Scots who preferred staples like cod, haddock or salmon.
Many fishmongers in the UK 50 years ago did not stock or display the fish. Fast forward to now and they are an extremely popular fish to eat and to catch.
Why? They are considered a healthy fish to eat because they are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
They are closely related to tuna and are also a source of protein and other essential nutrients. What's more, they are now in the Forth area.
Derek Anderson, boss of Aquamarine Charters out of Eyemouth, said anglers on his charters along the Berwickshire coast have landed 'huge' mackerel.
Word has gone round and his regular trips on Sagittarius, a Blyth Workboat 33 catamaran, are popular with anglers from as far afield as Glasgow and Newcastle and, of course, the Lothians. He does half-day, full-day and evening trips.
Leanne Taylor of Forth Sea Safaris based at Burntisland is now regularly dropping a line from her boat to monitor the situation.
As yet, mackerel have not arrived around Burntisland, but you can book your spot on her wide-decked Pathfinder boat for a two-hour trip out of the Fife harbour. The trips are set to start in July, but, if the mackerel arrive then dates may change.
Both charter bosses state that 7ft rods are required. Equipment can be hired.
Further afield, anglers on the MV Rachel May off the North-East Coast are catching mackerel. The boat is run by Gordon Morrison and anglers on Misty Angling trips from Fraserburgh Harbour can also catch codling, haddock, ling and dab.
Fishing note. Mackerel are normally easy to catch, just ask two young girls who were on the Misty trip recently. They using several feathers on a line with a weight and simply dropped that over the side of a boat. Bingo. They went home with a carrier bag full.
Feathers can also be cast from a harbour or jetty and the fish also responds to a wide range of lures which are available in local tackle shops.
MACKEREL FISHING: Anglers drop a line from the Forth Sea Safaris boat off the Fife coast. Picture Nigel Duncan
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