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Grey Mullet Species| Fish Species Guide | Angling Direct
Grey Mullet Species
Members of the Mugilidae family, there are three common species of grey mullet; thick-lipped grey, thin-lipped grey and golden grey mullet. Favouring shallow waters close to the shore, grey mullets are mostly located in northern European waters. Grey mullet species boast a silver torpedo-shaped body with dark horizontal stripes and tend to have a thick upper lip along with thick, hard scales.
The mullet is well deserved of the name grey ghost. This is because they are a very difficult fish to catch due to their unusual feeding habits and the fact that they are easily spooked by noise and even the silhouette of an angler.
Stats
Status
Habitat
Harbours, estuaries and naturally sheltered coves and bays.
Bait
Chopped mackerel, herring, king ragworm & bread.
Native or Invasive
Native
Where
Mediterranean and in smaller numbers in the Black Sea, along the Atlantic coast of Europe, as well as Southwest Britain.
Catch Experience
If you are looking for a challenge when sea angling, targeting one of the mullet sub-species is suggested as they require precision stalking.
Expect some tugging on the end of the line before you finally land this catch. Grey mullet are careful feeders that avoid being easily hooked as they tend to hide under rocks before you can get close enough for secure hooking onto the line.
Mullet are a slow-growing, long-living (approx 25 years) and late-maturing fish, which means they are vulnerable to being overfished, even by pleasure anglers. Anglers should bear in mind the minimum size requirements when taking mullets from the sea.
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