One of the biggest mistakes I see at the boat ramp is anglers heading out with massive, heavy-duty game reels to chase mackerel. When I was working in the tackle shop, everyone assumed you needed the heaviest mackerel fishing gear available to land a Spanish or Spotted Mackerel. In reality, using gear that is too heavy takes all the fun out of the fight and can actually cost you fish.
Choosing the right mackerel fishing gear is about balance. You need enough line capacity to handle that first blistering run, but you want a rod and reel light enough to stay nimble. Whether you are trolling lures in Southeast Queensland or live-baiting at anchor, here are my 7 ultimate secrets for getting your gear right.
1. Why Overkill Kills the Fun
Back in the day, a 15kg overhead outfit like a TLD 25 was the standard. While that setup will certainly catch a fish, it’s often overkill for our local waters. Unless you are up north chasing giant 30kg+ Spaniards, you can downsize your mackerel fishing gear significantly. A lighter outfit allows the lure to swim more naturally and gives you a much better feel for the strike.
2. The Old School Trolling Setup
For trolling lures at around 6.5 knots, I still go back to my “Old School” custom short-stroker rods. I pair these with a Shimano TLD 15, spooled with 10kg monofilament and a 40lb fluorocarbon leader.
Pro Tip: I don’t run wire on my trolling lures. I find that running a straight 40lb leader directly to a Rapala or Halco lure gets far more strikes. Mackerel have incredible eyesight, and thick wire can spook them in clear water.
3. High-Speed Casting Outfits
When you find bait schools or birds working, you need a casting outfit that can punch a slug or stickbait into the wind. I use a 7-foot 15kg Palms rod paired with a Shimano Sustain 10,000. Spooled with 15kg braid, this setup is perfect for Longtail Tuna, Mackerel, and Dolphin Fish. While some guys troll with these longer rods, you have to be careful not to snap the tip if a big fish hits hard—back your drag off slightly to account for the rod length.
4. The 5,000 Spin Reel “Sweet Spot”
If I had to pick one versatile piece of mackerel fishing gear, it would be a 5,000-sized spin reel. I personally use a Stradic 5,000 on a 6-foot rod. This is my go-to live baiting outfit.
I don’t use balloons; I prefer to let my live yakkas or slimies swim freely. A 5,000-sized reel might look small, but I’ve landed a 21kg Spanish Mackerel on this exact setup. It took 15 minutes, but the reel handled it beautifully.
5. Light Gear for Spotted Mackerel
Spotted Mackerel are world-class fun on light spin gear. When the fish aren’t crowded by a hundred other boats, I’ll pull out a 2,500-sized reel with 8lb braid on a Zodius rod. Casting small slugs on this gear is incredible, but there is a catch: don’t use it in a crowd. If there are dozens of boats around, a light outfit will let the fish run across everyone else’s anchor ropes. In a crowd, step up to a 5,000 reel with 10kg braid so you can put the brakes on when you need to.
6. The Downrigger “Secret” Outfit
Many fishos struggle to find the right rod to load up on a downrigger. They want something with a soft tip that can take the slack out during a strike. My secret? Use a Slow Pitch Jigging outfit. These rods are incredibly light and have a beautiful parabolic bend. They load up perfectly in the downrigger clip, and when a 12kg Spaniard hits, the rod buckles and the reel screams—it’s pure adrenaline.
7. Line Choice: Mono vs. Braid
The debate over line choice for mackerel fishing gear usually comes down to personal preference. Mono offers more stretch, which is forgiving when a mackerel makes those high-speed direction changes. Braid offers better capacity and sensitivity for casting. If you are trolling, I stick with “Old School” mono. If you are casting slugs, braid is the winner every time.
PB Tracker – Personal Best Fishing Log
ITrack every unforgettable catch with this simple, easy-to-use Personal Best (PB) Fishing Log. Designed for Aussie anglers, this printable A4 page helps you record species, weight, location, bait used, conditions, and the full story behind your catch.
Perfect for saltwater, river, reef, and estuary fishing — whether you’re chasing your first PB or building a lifetime fishing record.
Stop forgetting the details… start building your fishing story.
PRO TIP: I recommend printing out a few copies and keeping them on a clipboard in the boat. It’s the best way to track your local moon and tide patterns without getting salt on your phone!
Or
You can open the PDF on your phone, tap the “Pen” icon, and you can literally write on the screen over the log table.
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Mackerel Fishing Rigs and Lures