Best size mackeral to use when targeting YT at La Jolla - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

YakDout · 06-25-2018, 03:20 PM

Bigger the better for yellowtail.

5-20 · 06-25-2018, 07:48 PM

I had a small YT hit what must have been a 17” Mack.

I think it might depend on how much bait is in the area. That day, it took me more than an hour to jig up a couple of brown Macks and then I started fishing a yo-yo iron and caught that Mack on that Salas and threw it out there.

On the flip side, I’ve been out there when there’s massive schools, tons of 15” or bigger Macks in what seemed to be the 2 pound range and I couldn’t get bit on any of them, and there were guys in a PB catching YT on an iron within sight!

Mr. NiceGuy · 06-25-2018, 09:20 PM

IMHO, any mackerels are good. Mackerels are durable and last a long time, compared to sardines, for example. Green are more twitchy than the blue Spanish. If I have a choice, bigger are better than smaller.

FARRIER · 06-26-2018, 01:46 PM

I like big macs because they are strong and fuss a lot while at trolling speed. This yt had this in its stomach, along with red crab, and a volcanic rock. It still ate a big hooked fin bait.

06-25-2018, 09:20 PM	#3
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	IMHO, any mackerels are good. Mackerels are durable and last a long time, compared to sardines, for example. Green are more twitchy than the blue Spanish. If I have a choice, bigger are better than smaller. __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise

06-25-2018, 03:20 PM	#1
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Bigger the better for yellowtail.

06-25-2018, 07:48 PM	#2
5-20 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 241	I had a small YT hit what must have been a 17” Mack. I think it might depend on how much bait is in the area. That day, it took me more than an hour to jig up a couple of brown Macks and then I started fishing a yo-yo iron and caught that Mack on that Salas and threw it out there. On the flip side, I’ve been out there when there’s massive schools, tons of 15” or bigger Macks in what seemed to be the 2 pound range and I couldn’t get bit on any of them, and there were guys in a PB catching YT on an iron within sight!