Hi,

I need some help catching big Mullets. I would also like to share some info I gathered online, which might help other anglers out there :).

I know you can catch them with a casting net, but this is not what I want to do.

Mullet is probably one of the most hardest fish to catch on a rod, because they tend to suck the bait, rather than snatch at the bait and hook itself. They will most likely take the bait off from the hook without you even knowing.

I've caught small mullets (the size of my palm) using bread before but finding it hard to land the big ones. You could literally see them swimming just beneath the surface and some of them jump above the surface.

In one area there are groups of big mullets. I've tried casting in that area, but they don't seem to be interested in my bait, mainly the little mullets are interested only, so what is the best way to get them all interested so I can fish for them using a rod?

I have done some research online and found some sites like this:

http://www.anglersmail.co.uk/fishing-tips/mullet-and-how-to-catch-the-thin-lipped-variety/
and
http://www.worldseafishing.com/shore/how-to-catch-shore-mullet.html

They mention using a spinner lure, which I am thinking of trying but not sure if it works in my area.

Some tips i've gathered online:

• Use a Crystal clear wagglers/bubble floats with bread on a size 6-10 hook.
• Use Spinners (Mepps lures, without the treble hook) with a worm attached.
• Use Dough baits, consisting of water + flour and maybe a bit of salt?
• Snagging them.
• Feed the area to attract the fish and get them feeding.
  

So what other tips do you recommend?
Also are there any good dough baits to make that attract Mullet?

Thanks

dont think you were catching grey mullet, the ones you were catching would have been yellow eyed mullet. grey mullet are the most insanely frustrating fish, i have tried so many different things, sooo many times and still nothing has worked...have a read of this

Yellow eye mullet are a different fish to grey mullet and are very easy to catch. A small hook depending on the size of the fish is needed. YEMs (yellow eye mullet) do get to 30cm or so but they usually inhabit deeper channels than the small ones which have a habit of feeding near the surface around structures.

Grey mullet are a totally different proposition.  What works overseas probably wont work here in NZ as they are a different species of fish even though they look similar. Some fly fishers have success catching them. They are very unlikely to take a spinner although i have skilfully managed to snag one. , They are great as a smoked fish - one of the best and a very underated bait. I use a net to catch them.

I managed to snag them, its a lot faster =D

smudge wrote: Yellow eye mullet are a different fish to grey mullet and are very easy to catch. A small hook depending on the size of the fish is needed. YEMs (yellow eye mullet) do get to 30cm or so but they usually inhabit deeper channels than the small ones which have a habit of feeding near the surface around structures. Grey mullet are a totally different proposition.  What works overseas probably wont work here in NZ as they are a different species of fish even though they look similar. Some fly fishers have success catching them. They are very unlikely to take a spinner although i have skilfully managed to snag one. , They are great as a smoked fish - one of the best and a very underated bait. I use a net to catch them.

That's very interesting ycha. Have you caught grey mullet with those techniques in NZ?

Hi sumdge,