Red mullet
Red mullet is a small pink fish with whiskers, considered a delicacy on the coast. It is fun to catch, and fried red mullet is one of the best dishes of the seaside kitchen.
- Latin name
- Mullus barbatus ponticus
- Size
- usually 10–15 cm, large ones up to 20 cm
- Habitat
- near the bottom on sand and mud, 3–20 m
- Best months
- May — June and September — October
- Main rig
- light ledger, float rod
Appearance
A pinkish-red body with a steep head profile. Two long barbels on the chin are used to probe the sand for worms and small crustaceans. The scales are large and easy to remove; the flesh is white, tender and rich.
Where to look
Red mullet is a bottom fish. It likes clean sand, shell grit and the edge between sand and rock, often close to shore near beaches and in bays at 3–10 m. From a pier, cast onto sandy patches and avoid solid rock where hooks get snagged.
When they bite
Inshore, red mullet is active from late spring to mid-autumn. The best periods are May–June, while the shallow water warms up, and September–October. In the hottest weeks it may move deeper. It feeds mostly in daylight, in calm and clear water.
How to catch them
Light ledger
The main method. A 10–30 g sinker, one or two hook lengths of 0.12–0.16 mm line and small long-shank hooks, size 10–14 (the mouth is small). Cast a short distance and drag the rig half a metre now and then: movement of the bait on the bottom attracts the fish.
Float rod
From a jetty you can also fish a float set so that the bait runs just above or along the bottom.
Baits
The best are ragworm, small pieces of shrimp and mussel meat. Keep the bait small to match the mouth.
Tips
- The bite is a series of quick small tugs. Don't strike on the first one — let the fish take the bait.
- No bites for 15–20 minutes? Move: red mullet feed in patches.
- Keep only what you will eat and release the small ones.