Oakland Estuary 9/22 (The best time I've ever had catching bait!)

I didn't get a chance to get out for a paddle, let alone fish this past weekend.  So when we ended up knocking off work early yesterday, I took it as a sign.  Go try and find some of those Mackerel that are supposed to be around.  I smashed home, grabbed a bite, and then me and my two lightest spinning set-ups were back out the door.
Picked up the kayak, and then launched at the Grand St. boat launch, heading off toward a spot I know holds a ton of bait.  Its a tough spot to access from land, and the only reason I've stumbled across it is because I can't help but bring the fishfinder (and a rod) with me when going out for a paddle with the GF. 
Along the way, I'm trolling a sabiki, but nothing is touching it. 
I hit the spot, and sure enough, start marking big schools of bait both on the fishfinder and visually.  As I troll over the school, my sabiki rod finally loads up.  On the other end, something is SMOKIN'!  The line is zipping this way, then the other way, the drag is singing;  I can't believe this is a bait fish!  Get the fish in, and sure enough, the Mackerel have found this bait haven too. 
I've never caught a Mac before.  In the past, when they were supposedly around, I never made an effort to try and target them.  So for my first time trying to catch even one, they did not disappoint.
I switched off to my other rod, which had a shad dart tied on.  Letting the wind drift me along, I caught a couple more Mackerel, casting up between pilings and working the jig back kinda stop-and-go.

 
I'd been at this for awhile, and the sun was getting lower in the sky.  The shade was claiming more of the water next to the pilings, and thats when the Mackerel all started busting on the schools of pinhead anchovy.  It was a Mendo style boil, here on the estuary!  I could cast that shad dart out, and if I didn't hook up, it got smacked at the least.  After a while, they stop hitting the dart, and I tied on a kastmaster, and it was back on.  Funny thing was, when the same thing happened with the kastmaster, I tied the shad dart back on and it was all good.  Silly fish.
It felt as if it was getting a bit late, so I left the Macs, still in frenzy mode, and paddled back to the ramp hoping I still had a chance at a decent parking spot when I got home.  Of the bunch of fish I caught, I only kept a handful to throw in the freezer for bait. 

I had no idea just catching bait could be so much fun!

Those are really cool looking little guys.  Good Times on the baitfish tour.   

That's pretty Kool....

  "That's How it always Begins....  Very Small..."   

 Quote Egg Shen...  Big Trouble Little China

 

Danglin, the fact that you just quoted BTILC is priceless. Sorry for the change of topic, but this deserves a little recognition. My fishing hat resembles that of the 3 storms.

Danglin, the fact that you just quoted BTILC is priceless. Sorry for the change of topic, but this deserves a little recognition. My fishing hat resembles that of the 3 storms.

 Thanks, It's one of my Favorite Movies, and always remember....

 When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."

 Continued thread Jack.....   

Yeah man, those mini-tuna are awesome on a light rod.

Z

We used to drive all the way down south just to fish for mackerel. Now that they
are near by, I still find myself driving quite a ways to fish for them still. Funny guy.
  WTG on the catch Nate.

Jedmo
 

that is awesome, i would be happy just catching bait fish too! let me know if you're gonna go out again, i live in emeryville...

rog

I'll join too. Just say when.

Danny

Yeah,  macs are fun to catch.  they feel like a striper the way they fight.

If you want real Mac fun, try the Capitola kelp. They carry the 1 pound plus class out there.

Z

I'll join too. Just say when.

Danny

Same here I'll join you too~

Nice job on the macks dude sounds like a lot of fun! Don't relegate them to bait status entirely without trying a couple on the table. A little salt and pepper on a hot grill with a slice or two of lemon squezed on top is an awesome and healthy meal. Lots of good omega 3 and not so much murcury!


-Eliot

Eliot,
I agree with you and every so often, I've ordered them at Japanese sushi restaurants. If I remember correctly, they call it "shobayaki". The wife loves it too.
Danny

Agreed, they are delicious.  I've caught a few in Santa Cruz.

Thanks for the report, Nate!  Had my pulse speeding up during the boil...