Striped Mullet(Mugil cephalus)
Quick Facts
- Size Range: These mullet average about 1 to 6 pounds, but some have been caught up to 17 pounds.
- Native Species?: Yes
- Food Value: Highly prized by many around the world, they are often smoked and fried in the south. The roe or eggs from the mullet are highly prized and are often worth more than the meat of the fish.
The striped mullet is a very common fish that is valued for both food and as a baitfish for other species. Striped mullet has a mostly silver body with faint black lines. They are mainly herbivores and are normally found in large schools schools. Mullet are often seen jumping out of the water—scientists are not sure why but believe it could be to avoid predators. The roe or eggs of these mullet are prized for eating.
Striped mullet live in coastal temperate and tropical waters around the world. They spend much of their adult lives in fresh water but migrate well offshore to spawn. Juveniles move into estuaries to grow and hide from predators. They are an important part of the food chain because they are food for many birds and other predatory fish.
Striped mullet are most often caught in nets, but some hook and line fisheries exist. Bits of earthworm are often fished amongst various chum types to attract the grazing mullet to a hook.
Striped Mullet Rules and Regulations
| Bag and Possession Limit : | 100 pounds daily |
| Seasons : | Finfish |
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Related Fishing Methods
Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing is normally about fishing bottom structures in order to target benthic or bottom dwelling fish. There are a wide variety of techniques, but the common element is the targeting of species who dwell around or hide in natural and man-made structures. Fish like grouper, snapper, amberjack and catfish would be considered bottom fish. It is very popular amongst anglers and success is often determined by the fishermen's ability to crank a fish away from the structure before the fish can duck into it and cut the line. Anchoring or drifting the boat over the structure is key to having success. There are many versions, and many of the bottom fish are prized eating.
Dead Bait
Dead bait consists of many different types of bait that is no longer alive. Dead bait is still attractive to many fish as they are normally feeding by smell and dead bait is the ticket for smell. Fresh cut fish, dead shrimp, half crab, shucked clam, cut squid and all popular examples of bait that will catch a wide variety of fish. Many sport fish that are predators, will gladly take the opportunity to slurp up a fresh dead bait. A redfish is equally happy to chase down a baitfish or slurp up a dead shrimp on the bottom. Dead bait has the benefit is being easy to obtain, maintain and transport, as opposed to live bait which takes livewells, quality water control and can be harder to obtain.
