Mullet fishing has been a favorite activity for most anglers, whether it is for sports or food. These fish are a bit small in size and travel in large schools. You can choose to catch a large group or target a handful, depending on the fishing method you use. The question is, how do you do that?
You can either use casting nets, baits and rigs, and hooks to catch mullets. You only have to perfect your method and be precise with your techniques. You may also need to condition the fish to draw them closer to where you need them.
This article discusses various mullet fishing methods and how you can apply them to maximize your catch. The methods are;
Use a Cast Net
A cast net is one of the popular fishing methods people use to catch Mullets. They often travel in large schools and swim close to the water’s surface, making them easy to trap in large numbers. While this is an excellent and the most preferred method, be careful to execute your plan well.
Mullets have excellent eyesight. They will spot your cast net from a distance and dash away.
To make a good catch, but the best quality net you can get and refrain from cheaper options. Also, try to perfect your casting at home before you go out there for the kill. Lastly, observe fishing regulations on permitted mesh size.
Once you are out on the water body, find a good spot where mullets congregate so that you can collect them. You find mullet schools near the sea wall, shady canals, streams or off piers, and such places.
Check around the edges of creeks feeding the main river as this is where shoals are likely to lurk. Flooding tides always drive mullets up estuaries to look for food. So it would be best to take advantage of this and ambush them.
Some leg work on the banks will be necessary before you locate a perfect spot. Please remember to carry your binoculars and Polaroid glasses to enhance your vision and protect your eyes, respectively.
Once you’ve spotted your target, cast your net. Here is how to do it;
- Wrap one end of the rope on your throwing wrist and loosely coil the rest of the rope around your arm. Drop the net by your side with the weight at the bottom.
- Use your other hand to hold the lead line directly below the thumb and maintain it about arm’s length from your throwing hand (which will be on your chest).
- Rotate your body back and swing the throwing hand forward, releasing the next angle towards the mullets.
Again mullets are often alert and will spot your net as it descends in water. But you will still be fortunate enough to trap some. After getting the net in the water, give it some time until you feel some hit at the bottom; the weight may also start to draw the rope down.
When this happens, start pulling the net from the water. The sharp tug will close the net, and coiling the rope on your arm will allow you maximum grip and tidy things up.
Chumming The Water
Mullets love spots where food and other fish species go into the water. If you have the skill, you make a kill by charming chumming the water at these spots, then use food in a mesh bag to lure them.
You can use several items from detergent release bags, and stocking to fine mesh to store the food. Tie one of the bags or mesh using a cord and allow an entrance. Place your bag a few feet into the selected spot. This method is challenging because you will have to repeat this process before you get mullets to gather here.
Next, you will need to prepare your hook. Take note that a standard line and hook may be challenging to use. You will have to increase your chances by chumming the water. Chummed baits will attract some mullets to start feeding in one spot.
Select a medium-sized rod with a line not heavier than 10 pounds. Then connect your baited hooks, spacing them 10 inches apart, and provide some floating markers for the depth.
After setting up the hook, prepare the chum bait by laying mash or some oatmeal in the water. After that, mix a small amount of oatmeal with water to make a dough. Try to get the right consistency, not having something too thick or too liquid. If you have something too thin, it will drift away. Your end product must be able to stay for some time and gather mullets.
Once the mullets begin to assemble, throw your bait into the water. Cast into the chum as soon as it begins to dissolve. You might need to leave your hooks and lines in the chums before your cast. It allows chum to stick to the hooks and encourage the fish onto them.
Using Hook and Line and Baits
There are two options for this method: either using processed food as bait or opting for natural bait.
The former works perfectly because mullets naturally love some human food, primarily processed ones. You may use monofilament and the Tru-Turn hook for this procedure.
Some of the perfect food to use as mullet baits include bread, cheese, sausages, and hot dog, but in tiny pieces. You do not have to spend money on this. Just pick some leftovers and chop them into small pieces.
The second option, using natural baits, also works because mullets love to hunt around water plants for tiny insects and larvae. You can bait your hooks with maggots, larvae, and worms to attract and catch your mullets.
Always remember to use a light rod with a click and drag real for this process. For both scenarios, you must use tiny hooks that won’t overshadow your baits. Also, ensure that the bait you are using is small enough to fit in a mullet’s mouth. Otherwise, the bite may not work.
One disadvantage of this process is that it limits the number of fish you can catch at a time, unlike the casting net. It also requires a lot of patience as one mistake may drive your target away.
What Is The Best Bait For Mullet?
You can use both natural bait and human food to catch mullets. The best option would be maggots, mackerel flesh, bread flakes, or algae.
Maggots
Mullets are famous for their vegetarian tendencies but have an interest in various types of larvae and small insects. In place of maggots, you can also opt for ragworms. You must be careful not to use giant maggots. Always pick small sizes that can fit into a mullet’s mouth.
Mackerel Flesh
Like most sea fish, mullets relish the taste of mackerel flesh. For this option, you must ensure that the flesh does not have any traces of mackerel skin; Mullet may not bite it. Some other fish species may prefer fillets or whole mackerel, but you must use small strips when attracting mullets.
Bread Flakes
Bread flake is one of the most effective baits for mullets. It is ideal for fish swimming just below the water surface but requires patience with your luring.
In some cases, you might have to visit an area repeatedly for several days to feed the mullets with bread flakes. This is to condition and make them believe there is plenty of fish from that particular spot.
After these days of conditioning, you can work wonders with your baited hook.
Can You Catch Mullets on a Hook?
You can catch mullets with a hook and line, but you have to be patient and precise with the choices. Mullets are tiny fish with smaller lips, so you have to use small baits and small hooks.
The method is, however, limiting because of these conditions. Hooking small baits like algae and tiny pieces of bread flakes may also be a challenge as they can quickly disappear in water.
The major undoing of using hooks to catch mullets is that it limits the number of fish you can capture at a given time. This is why most anglers use casting nets unless they are fishing for sports.
What Size Of Hooks For Mullets Fishing?
Mullet fishing requires that you use the smallest-sided hook, probably #2 or #3. Larger sizes may not be effective and won’t fit in their mouths. The hooks you choose should be small enough, not too big, to overshadow your tiny bait.
One of the most effective techniques is tying your line to a long telescopic rod with no reel. You can also use a standard spinning rod, a light line with a small hook attached one meter or so, below a quill float.
Bottom Line
Mullets are different from other fish species due to their small size and eating habits. However, you can use the above-provided techniques to catch your fish.
If you want a more significant number, we recommend using the casting net method. But if you just want one, two, or five mullets, you can use the bait and hook method.