OPINION: Broadbar macks keep anglers satisfied

Broadbar Spanish mackerel are regularly being encountered in huge numbers, with hundreds of fish often seen launching into the air as they smash bait.

They will take just about anything you throw at them especially minnow lures, such as a Halco Laser Pro, or stickbaits.

Broadbars generally weigh up to 10kg and are often mistaken for their close relation, the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel which grow much bigger and are more widespread along the coast.

Although they have slightly different markings, there is no doubting the similarities between the two species, with thebroadbar having a noticeably smaller and more pointed head.Also, the second dorsal and anal fin of the broadbar are bigger in relation to the size of the fish.

While they look ostensibly the same, the general consenus among anglers is that broadbar lack the power of a narrow-barred spaniard when hooked.

There’s been so many about that anglers who drop one often hook up again within seconds anyway, and this regularly happens just metres from the boat, with the fish getting airborne on the strike.

Much of the mackie action has been in 10-20m and there have also been good numbers of narrow-barred Spaniards about.