Tackle Tactics » Tips-Techniques » Shallow-Reef-Light-Tackle-Offshore » Get it on Camera! Mackerel

Get it on Camera! Mackerel

By Sean Bekkers

Well it is time for me to get on the video bandwagon. I've written plenty of articles over the past couple of years and absolutely love putting them together, but it's time to start getting the raw footage to make some short videos. Not surprisingly there was a lot to consider before hitting the water. Where to start? Well, the first thing I did was research, in particular what sort of camera I was going to use. There a so many options and price points to get you started, however before I went into my closest store to buy the best action camera known to man, I did some research on the different features, recording qualities and brands. I also spoke to heaps of friends that use action cameras, even the ones that don't fish, to get a better understanding of what they find good and bad about them.

I think you could easily hit the $1000 mark to get a full set up of the newest model action camera and don't get me wrong I would love one, however filming on the water and me being chaotic when it comes to a hot bite means the chances of me losing it in the ocean are pretty high. In the end I opted to purchase a pre loved GoPro. I know there is always a risk of stuff not working, however on this occasion it paid off. I managed to find a Hero 3 Black Edition with remote control and some extra batteries for under $200. After a little more setting up, it was time to go and chase some fish to see what sort of raw video footage I could capture.

What to chase? Flathead, bream, tuna... the choices. Eventually I managed to find a gap in the weather for an early morning run outside. I planned to get out early and find some bay longtail tuna. Tuna fishing is super exciting and always looks great from both the pro and amatuer videos that I've seen, so tuna fishing was the plan. Like most of my trips outside, I shoot out before first light so that I'm hitting my first marks on daybreak. Usually from there I then chase down the tuna once they start busting up the bait.

On arrival at my first mark there was already some local fisherman, in the way of dolphins, working the bait school and usually not too far behind them is the three stooges; three local sharks that are always happy to hassle you for your catch. Although the sharks are frustrating, when it comes to getting fish in the boat, I do find them a fascinating animal and one that I have a lot of respect for. I was confident that if I started catching fish they would be lurking under the boat.

Whilst setting up for my first drift I quickly readied my GoPro and adjusted it to where I thought would make a good viewer perspective. Once sorted, I dropped my TT Lures Hard Core metal slug to the bottom. When working the lure I felt like I had to talk, even though there was no one in the boat. Do I talk and if I do, what the hell do I talk about?

While waiting for the first fish I pretty much just rambled on about the first thing that came into my head... well until I got a hook up. My first fish of the day ended up being a small snapper and in the early morning light looked pretty awesome. By the time I finished fiddling around I had drifted off the back of the mark and I motored back to set up the next drift. I kept repeating this process for the rest of the morning. The sounder showed heaps of bait scattered through the water column and with the water temp still hovering around the 25 degree mark I was thinking the odd mackerel should come out to play.

Almost on cue I felt that distinctive grab, rip and bite off... meaning I had lost my lure and the mackerel were still in town. At this point in time I was unsure how the footage would turn out, so I continued to stop and start the camera in between the boring stuff, trying to conserve battery power and keep my video files to a minimum, thinking it would be easier to sort through them later on.  

Following another drift and a couple more lost TT Hard Core metals I opted to change things up to a ZMan 5" Scented Jerk ShadZ in Fusilier colour, rigged on a 1/2oz TT Lures Big EyeZ jighead. Drifting onto the front edge of the rubble patch, I was smashed and after a quick tussle I dropped the first fish only to have a second jump on and unleash some awesome runs and specky tail walking before I lifted it into the boat. This fish I believed I had captured on video and was keen to check out camera angles and so forth when I was back on shore. I went up and started the drift again and as I thought they would be, the three stooges had moved in and started hovering around the boat. I managed to capture one of these guys on video, just keep an eye out for the grey object that comes looming into shot and you'll get a better view as it approaches the boat.

Once the sharks moved in the mackerel became very spooky, with heaps of chasing to the boat without hook ups. With some persistence and cycling through the TT Hard Core metals, ZMan Scented Jerk ShadZ and Fish Inc. Flanker sinking stickbaits (Halfbeak colour), I managed to land a further 6 mackerel for the session, with another half dozen falling victim to the sharks. The ones that I did get, I didn't bother netting or gaffing as they came to the boat and jumped, I basically flicked them in, which led to some very angry teeth flying around the floor and me tap dancing around in my bare feet. Apologies for the lack of video footage once the bite slowed... I need to press record more. At least I spared you the pain of tears and laughter from watching me dodge mackerel. Safety first when dealing with these toothy critters.

On the way back in I reflected on the session and the missed video opportunities, what I could improve and to be honest, whether the footage even turned out at all. Sitting back at home I looked through the footage and for my first attempt I was pretty happy. The light seemed ok and I managed to keep the lens clean as well, so no blurry stuff. My original plan was to film tuna, however on this occasion I wasn't able to find any. This was more likely due to finding mackerel and not really looking for them, I guess, lol. The big take out from here I guess is always have a backup plan, whether it's for fishing, videoing or both. On this occasion the mackerel came out to play and made for a fun session. I had to get an expert in to help with the editing as this is going to take a bit of work to master ;). Hope you enjoy my first video attempt.

Screaming Dragz, Sean

Gear List:

Okuma Helios Spinning Rods - HS-S-701M 7' 3-6kg
Okuma Azores Blue Spin Reels - AZORES-4000
Platypus Bionic Braid

TT Lures Hard Core Metal Lure

Fish Inc. Flanker 85mm Sinking Stickbait

ZMan 5" Scented Jerk ShadZ
TT Lures HeadlockZ HD jigheads