WHAT TRADIES WANT. 29WHAT TRADIES WANT. 29Spanish I caught on a live pike under
a balloon while bottom fishing.R
elaxed, keeping one eye on
the sounder and the other on
the water’s surface, I looked
back to the rods. The baits
seemed to be trolling straight.
Without warning the drag on the port-
side reel started screaming. I cleared the
starboard line while the fish kept the reel on
the other squealing and grabbed the rod just
in time to feel violent headshakes on the other
end. My nerves were on edge. I hoped the
hooks wouldn’t be shaken from the fish’s jaw.
Then off she went again!
Another speedy run stripped line from
the spool. It was on and I felt that anxious
excitement that keeps us ocean anglers
coming back again and again.
Spanish mackerel, or narrow-barred
mackerel, is without doubt one of the most
exciting fish in the ocean to catch. The
combination of blistering runs, powerful
headshakes and the odd aerial leap make
them an exciting opponent on rod and reel.
They grow up to 2.4m long and can tip the