How To Make Mackerel Feathers - Mackerel fishing for beginners and making your own feathers

Mackerel fishing is great fun and an easy way to get the bait freezer stocked. You can make it more of a challenge by making your own mackerel feathers! I just used a kit kat wrapper so you don't need any fancy equipment. There is something even more satisfying about fishing with homemade equipment!

[@Lmc88y]

I've been an MMA fighter the past 6years, injury has now stopped me from competition full stop, now needing another hobby to keep my ass of the sofa, watching you fishing and coastal foraging opens a new door for me, i am impressed with what you do and what you know, cooking for the wife and kid on the beach is beautiful, i will do the same, I'm a massive fan, keep up the good work

[@CaptainSpock1701]

Just started watching but already loving it. Now I'll tell my wife that I just *had to* buy that kit-kat!

[@tadastadux]

I watched 45 seconds only and I'm already super excited to learn more!

[@rollinraver6056]

Gotta be the easiest & cheapest mackerel lure making demo I've ever seen, other videos I've seen u e had to rewind many times because of the complicated way the other anglers make em.

[@thebusinessofsoftware5536]

Thanks for that. I did a similar thing last year when on holiday in Costa Rica. I wanted some small feathers to catch live bait right off the beach. I used a foil chocolate wrapper, but mine was blue on one side. They work everywhere, and you are right, making them yourself adds that extra bit of satisfaction when you catch a fish!

[@Gordie79hamilton]

Just needed to remind myself how you made the feathers and ended up watching the whole video again. Absolute class, shame I can't use the like button more than once. 👍

[@jameshines4012]

Absolutely love this video and it works every time and saves you a fortune.

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

Glad it helped James!

[@r.j.o.3513]

Just got back from giving this a go and it worked like a charm! I ended up using a white coloured shiny wrapper and it still did the trick.

[@colinsmith8472]

Absolutely fantastic I had my first boat trip in anstruther in fife on Tuesday and was using bought feathers Got a 4lb cod and a few mackerel I'm now going to make my own feather setup as it took you no time atall I particularly like the twisted boom method very easy to make and adds to the appeal of catching a fish yourself on a setup thats handmade I feel like having a few bars of chocolate now 🍫

[@baywick]

Just back to sea fishing after a long time away carp fishing,I have forgotten a lot but I really like your KZbin videos,very helpful and easy to follow,spot on mate

[@archiebob11]

Hi John, I’ve been watching your vids for some time now, they are brilliant. Thanks for taking the time to pass on your knowledge. I have been making Mackerel ‘feathers’ for a couple of years now and found that the silver liner (bag) of a wine box is great for making them as it’s a fair bit tougher than foil or general wrapping. It’s also great fun getting rid of the contents before making the lures 😁🍷Cheers 🐟👍

[@scotthepworth2540]

Very very good, something to while a few hours away making a few sets of these. Thanks for the video.

[@gunlokman]

Just wanted to say that all your videos are extremely helpful and great to watch - a rare combinaion. I have learned such a lot - thank you!

[@mjotd8670]

John, just found your channel, after taking my boys fishing in Devon with a standard line a and float and catching, not a lot! - will be trying your method this week, looks awesome! Cheers mate

[@marktones431]

What an excellent and informative video, really enjoyed it thanks. I'll be buying KitKat's tomorrow!!

[@geraldlrstubbs]

Always enjoy your videos. They are always instructive and interesting, thanks.

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Great work. Glued to this one.

[@tobyhatch2547]

I really enjoy your videos! Thank you for sharing them. Best wishes to you and your family!

[@martincarpenter2200]

Brilliant and easy way to make feathers, nice one :-)

[@alangrant5278]

It’s a good day fishing when your rig has 6 of these hooks and you’re catching six fish at a time. 👍

[@davidmarlonalvarez7339]

Right! Excellent show.

[@terryclarke7101]

What a great video I was glued to it till the end ,love making my own gear and recycling stuff , knowing you made it and getting results gives you a buzz . One new subscriber …...

[@LillysGymnastics]

Terry Clarke I used some handmade ones on this trip and they worked a treat! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaS8ZWCqpLKnb5Y

[@kevinjohnson2528]

Hi John and family, first off congrats on the success of all your channels including “It’s Hannah”. So I was looking to buy feathers when I remembered this video so looked it up and studied it. Now I’m 66 with failing eyes, slippery finger pads and a lack of patience. Oh, cackhanded too. When early teens we made a trace of overhand loops and snoods the same and attached by loop through and over. I thought I’d attempt yours so first found 55 lb cheap shock not ideal. Then hooks too small, but decided to soldier on. Had so much trouble trying to twist line without it slipping in fingers that the whole process took forever. Decided to use French boom for last hook!! Anyhow, if you have stopped laughing now, I’ll say thanks for continued entertainment and educational content. I’ve got pics so when I am feeling brave enough I’ll send. TTFN

[@markfahey3921]

I'm addicted to kitkats John, tomorrow I will be making some of those rigs! Thanks for another terrific video, especially with the Mackerel coming in in the next couple of months.

[@tamjack1510]

Best fishing vids I've seen top notch man

[@albertday6952]

Hi John I really enjoy watching your fishing presentations they are brutally honest and so genuine, but having been a small boat owner and fisherman for some years off the coast of Waterford Ireland my heart skips a beat at some of the lumpy seas you fish on ... one can get carried away but it is so so easy to get caught out , and even with all the technology we have and I could list it all a few fish is not worth it ... seas and winds can whip up in a flash ... take care and keep the presentations coming ... this mackerel feathers is tops,

[@derekmillen42]

Nice one John.. My Dad taught me how to make up mackerel traces out of spare line and tin foil and all sorts.. Sadly the local tackle shops ask a bit much kids to afford.

[@jasoninrikes1925]

This guy is a genius..thanks for the video bro.. am a newbee

[@HowlingWheelsAdventures]

Hi, thank you so much for your answer on our previous comment. We are based in Ireland and the nearest coast is the east coast near Dun Laoghaire. We can reach the beaches between Malahide down to Wicklow by train (no car). We saw people fishing from shore in Howth from piers for makrels. So hopefully we can figure out where, when and how to fish from shore. We are so happy that we found both of your channels. It's very inspiring.

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

Howling Wheels Adventures - If you are new to fishing I would recommend watching some of the rig tying tutorials and make up some Wessex rigs and 3 hook flapper rigs. Using size 4 to size 2 hooks and baited with ragworm or lugworm baits will find you some fish on must any venue. I would also consider getting a simple float setup. Fishing for mackerel is easiest with a metal spinner of mackerel feathers - like those shown in the video. Good luck😊👍🏻🎣

[@robertlong9552]

Good video man lots of learning info 👌

[@frankwass5511]

Brilliant video.

[@user-yj4oo1lm8v]

great easy to follow video john

[@Happydays78]

I must say Fish locker is very handy I watched a lot of interesting Video content. Keep doing what you do best Thank you .

[@EngineergamingUnofficial]

Great video, simple and it works. Thanks...

[@bobbykay9132]

Thanks for the great sabiki rig tutorial lad, I'm going first time mackerel fishing on the shores of Gaspésie in the canadian Maritimes. Using a Doritos bag and crafting it the noo. From what I've seen the catch should be successful. cheers.

[@dimawydad149]

Excellent mackerel rig

[@hightidehustle4390]

Great stuff as usual mate!

[@andy125]

Fantastic content as always

[@PhreddCrintt]

Yet more first class tuition. Thank you yet again John.

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- Any time Mike. :)

[@iantaylor9085]

Brilliant thank you

[@GCJNash]

Thanks, that was very helpful. 👍

[@warnanyoman3854]

Thank you for your information..greeting from Bali🙏

[@madvtecyo546]

Awesome!!! Love from Hawaii 🤙🏼👌🏼

[@lavell696ify]

Big fan bro..you keep it simple..

[@DanVerde]

Those Mackrels love kit kat more them me :D

[@normanrossiter7996]

Great video, we used ( back in the day hand lining commercially ) red and yellow elastic bands, two red two yellow whipped on the hook and trace. Try it I’m sure you’ll like them.

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- Haha. Its amazing what will work isn't it. :)

[@davidstokes925]

Great video!

[@kengarratt8681]

hi there another great video what other rigs do you use on the boat and also what size anchor rope do you use meant thickness cheers ken

[@thesweetestjerk8905]

Great Channel. 👍you can also add in some crystal flash or holographic tape to add more reflection but looks like yours work just fine.

[@mboutdoors_uk]

Cracking those John 👍🏼 As a newcomer to this sea angling lark catching “bait” is probably my favourite bit at the moment. I’m sure that’ll change after my thousandth mackerel 🤣🤣 Will definitely knock up a few of your feathers and give them a go next time out. Cheers fella 👌🏼

[@dcpfishingbhr2027]

thanks, bro for good information

[@Sparkey]

Thanks for showing that knot, love it . I've just been using blood loops for years. No more.

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- The twisted boom really helps it out. :)

[@benrowe681]

Great channel, would you recommend staying the same colour or could you mix and match the feathers with different colours also what gram weight were you using on the lighter gear thank you !

[@bunnysniper22]

Hi mate, i have just got started with fishing. So far mainly sea fishing for cod with a small amount of fly trout fishing. I have been binge watching most of your videos over the last week, can't get enough !! I have watched this one around 8 times now, i can't get the second stage correct with creating the loop on this after twisting the line. Any chance you can do a short video explaining this in detail please ?

[@MartinIDavies]

great video this is exactly kind of step by step skill/knowledge transfer that the old guys passed on to us lads in the early 60s on Anglesey when we didn't have the money for expensive kite.. we made our own.. out of seagull feathers and silver wrapper paper from ciggy packs.. of course no super glue.. traces of 4 or 6.. ah the adrenaline rush when you had 3 or 4 mackerel on the line.. thanks for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge and skill :-)

[@LillysGymnastics]

This is amazing. I’m definitely making these 😂👍

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- Its always a great feeling to make something from scratch and catch fish with it. :D

[@LillysGymnastics]

Lewis Klein awesome! I have to make mine soon as the Mackerel are in around the Guernsey waters! Here’s my catch clean cook Mackerel video from Guernsey - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGq7doiJgZprps0 Have a watch and subscribe to my channel if you like. We’re a moving company from Guernsey, but I make fishing videos at the weekends to show people what it’s like to live in Guernsey

[@LillysGymnastics]

Lewis Klein I used some homemade ones here! They worked an absolute treat! Buzzing - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaS8ZWCqpLKnb5Y

[@CINTAAYAT]

Amazing ...I like it...

[@colintraveller]

Superb stuff ...

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- Thanks Colin. Im really looking forward to getting into all the rigs and stuff we use. :)

[@iangardiner1724]

Hey fish locker love your vids,do I keep the little green balls that come with the mackerel feathers set.

[@shashaw.324]

Best video

[@andyb5087]

Great concepts. can anyone recommend the hooks that got big enough eyelets to feed the doubled 40lb mono through?

[@townheadbluesboy]

Great video - I'm completely new to fishing - done a tiny bit of fly fishing in the past. What size hook is that? And what line Llb? Thanks for making these videos. We're going down to Cornwall in September.

[@pompeyo7]

briliant

[@cumalitepe8848]

masallah emegine salik hocam cok guseller

[@iangardiner1724]

Love your vids can you tell me if you put a weight above or below your hooks..Thanks

[@stephenroberts7104]

John do you have a video on the reels you use I’m thinking of upgrading to decent penns, I only like fixed spool to be honest. Getting closer to finally finding a boat, I’ll be a Falmouth Fisher as well. Steve

[@AlfUckhamHall]

I started making my own trout flies when I was 8 years old, I then included sea trout and salmon flies. I'm now 63 and wouldn't mind a £ for every one I've made and another £ for those that caught fish.

[@marinkofaletar9558]

Pozdrav iz Hrvatske,ziv bio.

[@flyerh]

Try cutting a white plastic drinking straw into two inch pieces. Slide a piece onto the snood, put a hook on and let it naturally slide down over the hook shank. I did this in the Middle East with a whole straw to catch Dorados.

[@jorgerodrigues7056]

bom trabalho,trabalho completo .abraço para toda a familia.

[@obsessinging]

I hope you and your family are well. Can you tell me what hooks you are using here for making the feathers best

[@lazycarper7925]

please can you tell me what diameter the line is?, and thanks for the video

[@JimiJo]

Hey John What are your feathers held in? That roller what’s it called Fella? J

[@robertnewell5490]

Hi John, its been a long time since I did any sea fishing, could you tell how you know where to stop and fish for mackerel on the way out to fishing spot.

[@garytaylor9474]

Great video mate, you don't sound southern.. More like from my neck of the country.. Cumbria.

[@jasonmulligan8520]

I love the way you explain things so clearly another excellent tutorial. Have you ever done a video about how weather, tides etc effect fishing, if that indeed is the case?

[@MikesStory1990]

Hello there, I've tried your rig and fun fact I caught salmon here in Denmark on the coast with Sweden from 100m however no mackerel. I'll try again next time and probably to add something more sparkling when is going in depths in quite low light waters..

[@lexingtonlad5745]

Can you just cast feathers out on a beach and leave your beach caster on a stand or do you have to keep reeling in?

[@Happydays78]

Hi I’m interested in the rod and reel your using on this video. Or similar to that rod and reel Thank you kindly Jordan .

[@HowlingWheelsAdventures]

Hi, thank you for the video. When we go buy hooks, what size should we get please? The hooks you are using looks quite big in comparison what we got. We got two fishing rods for Christmas.. no description how much weight it can carry and very tiny hooks. The person who got it for us probably knows nothing about fishing.. so neither do we.. we have to start somewhere.. so we are thinking about makrels and your tips from this video.

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

Howling Wheels Adventures - Where are you fishing? I would say start off with size 2 hooks. You can catch big fish on small hooks, but you can’t catch small fish on big hooks. 😉👍🏻

[@johnmaggiorino4493]

👍 👍

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- Thanks John.

[@IainJUK70]

Can i ask the breaking strain of the line please? and the hook sizes?

[@labban6]

Hello John i have seen you using different size boats but in general small, can you let me know the boat you use, I have channel island 22ft , which seems too big for fishing and has less fishing area at the deck than your boats, please advise labby

[@antoniojuanejercito9442]

Where do u place your wieght sir? Middle? Or at the end of the line?

[@chrismaltby4777]

Hi, are you fishing out of Falmouth ?

[@MrTench8]

When you are catching Mackerel for bait does the minimum size apply or does that only apply if you take them onto land? If so does that mean you cant keep undersize fish for bait when shore fishing?

[@daniellarmour3521]

No minimum size for mackerel I believe, but the small ones are better to be thrown back to grow a bit more :)

[@OG_Chocobean]

you hid your hands at 2:00 when you said 'You loop over the top'. what does that mean? I can't figure out how to do this step

[@rollinraver6056]

What weight do you use on the mackerel feather lure ?, my rod is rated casting weight of 60 grams & other anglers say you don't want to ba to heavy or to light so I'm a little confused as to what the perfect weight would be, I'm guessing a 20 gramm weight but I could be wrong. PS, I'll be casting from a beach.

[@terryclarke7101]

Hello John , don t go throwing any old tinsel out now just the thing for mackerel feathers .Stay safe .

[@jamesefosa2304]

It says online if mackerel get touched on the sides they die after return so I always keep em for bait is that true. ?

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

No its not true.

[@patrickatkins7099]

What about a rig for flat fish

[@lesedwards936]

Do you ever put a heavy lure on the bottom of your feathers instead of your weight. That lure you use would be ideal and you could pick up a bonus fish works ok over clean ground. Tight lines

[@thefishlockerworkshop]

- I used to but as you say this is better over clean ground, and I don't fish clean ground much. And in rough ground you lose the lure - which is more expensive that a plain lead.

[@daniellarmour3521]

For feathers are you not safer off tying the proper knots connecting the snood to the main line.

[@Branno46]

I can't get the loop bit after the twisting do it slower please 😫

[@fredbloggs8362]

Good onya mate, ya clearly know your shit.

[@uskybear]

I stopped using feathers for mackerel years ago when I realised they will attack a bare shiny hook.

[@curtbennett8402]

You should sell the feathers online!

[@reefer434]

That's what fishing about every day is fishing day but not catching day..

[@glennunderwood4690]

20# mono..

[@mllangmalakasbalagtas7894]

Ko ya pahigi na mwn po kasi po samen inaaway ni la ko kasi po wa la daw ako pameg wet