Scad

[Matty_B]

Been catching quite a few Scad reecently, all of which have gone back. But yesterday I was struggling to get mackerel, but did get a few scad and wondered if they could be used for bait instead of mackerel? Any advantages or dis-advantages?

[Norrie]

Hi Matty, welcome to AN, hope you enjoy the time here.

Well, to answer your question, I dont fish too often down your way, but on the occasions I have used Scad for bait, they have outfished the Joey Mackeral we had been using for Bass....as live bait btw....

 

Might not work all the time,but does sometimes....

[Matty_B]

Hi Norrie

 

Thanks for the welcome - been lurking here for some time now, but only recently got back into the fishing.

 

Thanks for the info, does the size of the scad matter to the Bass, as these we were catching were quite big. Any thoughts on using them as bait cut up for rays etc..

[Norrie]

Hiya, Havent a clue to be honest, as we were catching them while going for Makkies for Bass bait, they were all reasonably small fish, but got some decent ( to me) Bass on them.

[peterthefisherman]

Bit off the point I suppose but I am now seeing Scad often in the shops as a pike deadbait. It worked well for me and I dont see why it shouldnt work when cut into strips as per Mackerel.

Peter

[Socksy Squirrel]

They make quite a good dead bait, we use them fresh or frozen and the local potters use them salted for lobsters and crabs. Chop scad in half, throw in bin, add salt etc, the salt dries and preserves them.

They are not bad to eat, the local Portuguese look at you in amazement when you chop them up and use them for bait.

[Tony U]

  Quote

Socksy Squirrel:

 

They are not bad to eat, the local Portuguese look at you in amazement when you chop them up and use them for bait.

The Spanish also prize them they are called Jurel (Dave, correct me if I am wrong) , and they are quite nice a la plancha

[Toerag]

As Socksy said they are popular for bait in Jersey. One of the Sea Angler videos shows a Jersey charter skipper preparing one for a ray bait. They have the advantage of being significantly tougher than mackerel.

[Matty_B]

Cheers Toerag, it was for Ray bait that I was thinking of. I'll give them a go this weekend - providing I catch some! Might even try livebaiting one for Bass!

[John S]

Matty, can't help you with your question I'm afraid, just wanted to welcome you to AnglersNet

 

Tight lines