ideal size mac?

[CorvinaLoca]

size of bait probably doesn't matter too much in my experience, but in general i catch bigger YT on bigger baits. keep in mind that the 200 + lb bluefin love the anchovie and iv'e caught 3-5 pound calicos on the bigger macs. if you have a smaller bait tank though (which I'm assuming you do on a kayak), the smaller macs are going to do much better if you have them in there for a while. macs are pretty hardy bait, but if you look carefully, the larger ones will get a red nose quicker. the better your bait swims, the better you will fish. for sure, those 20" macs you caught would not do well in a little tank and you're wise to throw them back.

[jorluivil]

I prefer whatever I can catch

[FullFlavorPike]

i like the big fat slob macks that don't even fit in the tank, especailly when they're all hopped up on a krill bloom so they look like one of those overfed labradors that waddle around and can't lick their own butts anymore