THE ULTIMATE ANGLING BUCKET LIST

Some of the mullet species are difficult to separate from each other. Fortunately, that is not the case
here. As the name implies, the upper lip is obvious and is key to instant positive recognition.
With the other species, the lips are pretty normal and evenly paired. Not so here. In the thick lipped
grey mullet the top lip is extremely prominent and enlarged or swollen looking, with rows of what are
known as papillae, which are small bumps on its lower edge.
It may well be the most common and universally best known visually observed marine fish around the
British Isles, but in angling terms, the thick lipped grey mullet doesn't sit comfortably with all the other
species on the saltwater scene. And though tactically it is more akin to freshwater fishing, it doesn't sit
too well there either.
A grey mullet, and an equally grey area. In some ways even an angling cross-over species with a foot
in both camps, and for the most part also ignored by both.
Mullet specialists need an appreciation of float choice, shotting patterns, and the use of bread flake,
coupled to an understanding of tides and their effect on the distribution and feeding habits of saltwater
fish. As a result, and despite the earlier visual reference, this is not a species most sea anglers are hands
on familiar with, often considering it too difficult or too demanding to invest time in.
Similarly, few freshwater anglers target them, despite being at a distinct advantage tactically. That said,
grey mullet are a species many of us have a bit of a dabble at while on holiday, particularly to southern
Europe where they seem to be everywhere, tempting us to pack a few floats, small hooks, and telescopic
rod in our suitcase, and in all of those regards I am no different to everyone else.
Then back home, I see them and I ignore them again. Well, most of the time anyway. But I have had
my moments both here and abroad, and it's these that form the basis of my own personal experiences
related here.
Ironically, my personal best thick lipped grey fell so far outside the regular rules of engagement that I
still struggle to believe what actually happened there.
I was conger fishing along the side a wreck in Oxwich Bay from Dave Lewis's dinghy with a full side
of mackerel on a 6/0 hook. I don't particularly recall the take. But what I do recall is eventually seeing
a grey missile of a fish shooting off across the surface, which quite naturally we both thought was a
bass. It was still a bass even as it slid into the landing net. Only when it was on the deck did the reality
kick in.
This actually is not the first time
I've seen mullet caught against
all the odds like that. I can think
of at least two previous
occasions at Looe in Cornwall
where kids lowering big chunks
of mackerel down the side of the
quay for crabs have hooked big
mullet, one of which when they
eventually got it in and weighed,
was well over seven pounds.
Dave Lewis, Thick Lipped Grey Mullet
To an extent, I can understand
why this happens at commercial
fishing ports. It's well known in
mullet circles that 'conditioning'
through loose feed is essential in
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