Seasons
This calendar is approximate: a lot depends on water temperature, winds and the particular year. Watch the weather and what other anglers are catching.
Month by month
| Month | Horse mackerel | Red mullet | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January–March | — | — | Cold water, fish stay deep |
| April | — | poor | Water warms up, first trips |
| May | poor | excellent | Red mullet comes inshore |
| June | good | excellent | First mackerel schools |
| July | good | good | Hot: fish early and late |
| August | excellent | good | Mackerel season starts |
| September | excellent | excellent | Peak season |
| October | excellent | excellent | Peak season |
| November | good | poor | Fishing in a warm autumn |
| December | — | — | Cold water, fish stay deep |
Time of day
Horse mackerel are most active at dawn and dusk, and at night near lit jetties. Red mullet is a daytime fish and bites best in the morning and afternoon in calm water.
Weather and sea
- Calm or a light swell — the best conditions for both species.
- After a storm the water is murky and fish move off; the bite usually returns in 1–3 days.
- Onshore wind brings warm water and food to the coast — often good for mackerel.
- Offshore wind in summer can suddenly chill the inshore water — fish go deeper.
- Overcast days — mackerel may feed all day long.