When it comes to mullet fishing, the golden grey mullet is a feasible target from particular beaches in the United Kingdom.
Geological Location of GOLDEN GREY MULLET
Historically, golden grey mullet have been restricted to a few southern and south-west English beaches and estuaries, as well as a few of select locations in south-west Wales. This has changed in recent years. But in recent years, a few vanguard fish have been captured in the south-east of England and even on certain beaches in mid-Wales, indicating that the species is still alive.
When it comes to Ireland, they are most often seen in the Cork region and farther west. Fish have been recorded from Wexford and Kerry beaches under ideal circumstances on occasion, suggesting that the fishery has expanded to include a larger geographic region.
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Season for Golden Grey Mullet
In general, golden grey mullet or GGs as they are widely known, are considered a summer fish, with the established period of their typical arrival being mid-June. However, milder spring conditions in County Cork, Ireland, may yield fish as early as mid-May. Around all places, the species’ populations tend to peak in July and August, however the species is particularly vulnerable to rapid dips in air temperature.
If the United Kingdom and Ireland have a mild September with calmer weather, these fish may be able to survive until the third week of September. Once they have moved away, they will not return for another year unless there is severe weather in late August and early September. Golden Grey Mullet like beaches with shallow water, sandy bottoms, and waves.
Golden Grey Mullet Behavior
There is seldom a need for a throw further than 30 yards or so, since they come straight onto the shallow edge of the surf. While looking for food, they may often be spotted in water just a few inches deep as they push their way through the inner surf tables in a shoal. Even while they may be captured on both neaps and springs, stronger tides seem to bring out more activity from the fish and cause them to quarter the surf more often, and in greater numbers than smaller tides.
They may also be spotted creeping into our smaller shallow estuaries as a result of the incoming floodwaters. They utilise the major channels to get to the higher estuary regions, where they may find shallow mudflats and other habitats. They also make their way into saltwater lagoons, and if the depth is sufficient, they may be able to remain there for the most of the summer.
On neap tides, fish are more concentrated in estuary channels and streams, as opposed to on full tides. They travel quickly along the major channels during spring tides and filter out into the flooded mudflats and into the shallow lagoons. They prefer calmer, clearer waters, and will not run in estuaries if there is even a little trace of acidity or suspended colour in the water from recent flooding. Keep in mind that they can only be captured in broad daylight.
TACKLE for Golden Grey Mullet Fishing
Golden grey Mullet are seldom more than 3lb, yet they fight effectively despite their small size. The ideal rod for this situation is anything that is light and has a flexible tip, such as an 11-foot freshwater medium feeder rod or a Shakespeare 9-foot Tipster-type rod. These should be used with a 3000 to 4000 sized fixed-spool reel, and the braid should be 15-20 lbs.
These combos are excellent for both light leger fishing and casting bubble floats into the surf, and they are quite versatile. To reduce visual awareness, add a short 6ft segment of 15lb fluorocarbon to the braid as a sight leader to reduce the length of the braid. GGs are attracted to baits that are hung in midwater to near the surface of the water.
Rigs for Golden Grey Estuary fishing
If you’re fishing for leger fish, use a two- or three-hook rig with lighter 6-8lb fluorocarbon hook lengths around 12-18 inches long, but add a semi-fixed float bead about three or four inches above the bait to raise it off the bottom. Keep your hooks modest; something like a Drennan Super Specialist size 8 to 10 is probably large enough for most people. This configuration is particularly effective in estuarine waterways.
Rigs for Golden Grey Surf fishing
For surf fishing, you may use a sliding leger and flowing trace that is approximately 18 inches long and constructed of 10lb fluorocarbon, with two hooks about 10 inches apart on the end of the trace. Hooks should be a size 6 Aberdeen for this project. This setup provides lots of movement for the baits, which will result in more bites. Additionally, this species might be leery of apparent equipment on the seabed.
The setup for fishing in calm surf and in lagoons is to slide on an oval bubble float, followed by a little swivel, and finally a small hook. 3-4 feet of 61b fluorocarbon should be added to the swivel. Slide on a tiny 2-3mm pearl bead, followed by a little silver plastic spoon blade, three additional pearl beads, and a Drennan Super Specialist hook in the size 8 to 10 range to complete the look. This is thrown and gently recovered across the surface of the water, as shown.
Best BAIT for Golden Grey
For both surf and estuary fishing, maddie ragworms are the most effective baits. These should only be nicked in the head by the hook, with the worm’s body being allowed to writhe enticingly in the water while the bait washes over the sand between the hook and the bait.
Maddies may also be used as a suspended bait in front of a float bead to catch fish. They may also be fed on freshwater maggots and, in certain cases, bread while in lagoons, provided ducks and swans are fed on a regular basis. Small bits of blow lug, or small mackerel or squid strips, may be used in place of the maddies, although they are significantly less effective.
TOP TACTICS for Golden Grey
The bubble float rig is the most effective approach for fishing in light, clean surf or when fishing in a lagoon. Adding a little water to the bubble float and baiting with a few little maddie rag can help you catch more fish. Start by casting it softly out into the waves and retrieving it in a slow and steady manner. As the fish bites, you’ll feel plucks on the tip of the rod, but you must wait until they pull the rod completely over to secure the hook.
Most of the time, when you strike, the fish will either yank the baits out of their mouths or they will rip the worms off the hook. In addition to the hook, try attaching a little plastic silver spoon and four to five pearl beads above it, then baiting it with maddie rag that has been hooked by the head alone. This imitates a little fish getting away with the worm and seems to entice ordinarily shy-biting GGs to bite the bait when presented with the opportunity.
Golden Grey leger fishing Technique
Keeping the rod tip extremely low and the line completely tight to the lead weight is essential when leger fishing. The soft tip of the rod will begin to tug around before you feel the real bite if you’re using a supple tip rod, as recommended by the manufacturer. If a fish comes up close on your hook length, wait until you feel the weight slide down on the sand and then hit softly to set the hook.
If you’re not getting any bites, twitch the lead back a few of inches to Je finches to give the bait more movement, as this will likely result in more takes from the fish. It is common for shoals of GGs to serve as a point of reference for a certain length of beach. They will swim up that length of water with the tide and then vanish, but they will return for another pass through, so if you see fish in front of you and they disappear, be patient because they will most likely return for another pass through.
When fishing for golden greys in close quarters, it is imperative that you remain discrete. Do not get your feet wet in the waves. If the fish are working extremely close to the surface, maintain a safe distance and reduce the noise to a minimum. When fishing in lagoons, the same rules apply. Fish in a semi-landlocked scenario may become quite timid, therefore it is best not to go too close to them from high up on bridges and banks, and it is also best not to make too much noise, including loud conversation. It makes a significant difference.