Mackerel Fish bait
A tougher, oilier big-fish bait than sardine — excellent for sharks, kob and gamefish.
📍 Where to collect / buy
Frozen at tackle shops; sometimes caught on sabikis off the rocks.
❄️ Preservation
Freeze; keeps firmer than sardine. Flappers freeze well for shark trips.
🪝 Rigging
Whole live/dead for gamefish; flapper or cutlet for sharks and kob.
🎯 Presentation
Live-bait through the nose; flapper cut behind the head for scent trail.
🐟 Best species
Sharks, kob, garrick, yellowtail, katonkel
#️⃣ Hook sizes
5/0-9/0
💪 Durability
Medium-high — firmer than sardine
Note: bait collection (prawn pumping, mussel/redbait picking, cast-netting) requires the correct permit and is subject to daily limits and closed areas. See regulations.
