Sea Mullet

(Mugil cephalus)

Common Names

Bully Mullet or Bully, Hardgut Mullet, River Mullet, and juveniles are known as Paddy Mullet or Paddies

Description

Sea Mullet are the largest of the Mullet family. Sea Mullet are a fat, cylindrical fish that are characterised by a thick gelatinous covering over the eyes (knon as an adipose eyelid). Colouration varies with habitat. They are usually dark on the back and grey through the flanks when in freshwater, and when the Mullet enter the sea, the clours change to green on the back with bright silver on the flanks.

Size

Sea Mullet weigh between 0.2-1.0 kilos, but they can reach a weight of 5.0 kilos.

Habitat

Sea Mullet are found right around Australia, but are more common along the eastern coast between central Queensland and southern New South Wales. They are a schooling fish, regardless of size. They are found in estuaries, harbours, bays, beaches, and a short distance out to sea.

Feeding

Sea Mullet are largely vegetarian, feeding on algae, mangrove leaves, tiny diatems, zooplankton, water fleas, sand hoppers, and marine worms. However, the will feed on food scraps.

Fishing Technique

Sea Mullet are very hard to catch on fishing line and baited hooks. Alot of people jag them, which is not sporting and also illegal in most states of Australia. If you want to try and catch Sea Mullet GOOD LUCK! Try a light rod 1.8-3.0 metres in length, 1.0-3.0 kilo fishing line, a light float on an unweighted line, hook size 10-6, and for bait, pilchards, garfish fillets, strips of squid, prawns, worms. You could also try a fly or a feather.

Eating

Sea Mullet rate as a fair to good table fish, depending on what they have been eating themselves! Sea Mullet have to be cleaned and skinned immediately and filletted. They taste better smoked. They contain alot of oil and are great to add to your berley bait.

Legal Size & Bag Limit

New South Wales: Legal Size = 30cm
South Australia: Legal Size = 21cm
Western Australia: Bag Limit = 40