Fish

Thick-lipped grey mullet

Lisa de labio grueso (corcón)

Chelon labrosus

SaltwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

2–5 lb.

Depth

1–20 ft.

Best time

All day; dawn and dusk are best.

Found in

9 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A gray, torpedo-shaped mullet with a broad head, two well-separated dorsal fins, large scales with dark lines along the sides, and a thick upper lip with rows of small bumps (papillae).
Typical size: 2–5 lb.
Maximum size: About 2½ ft and over 12 lb.
Diet: Algae, tiny animals and organic matter sucked from mud and rocks; bread in harbors.
Behavior: Cruises harbors, estuaries and marinas in shoals; very wary and hard to hook, then fights hard.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from United Kingdom & Ireland, France, Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), Italy & Malta, Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Scandinavia & Iceland (Norway, Sweden, Denmark), Northern & Central Europe and Morocco & West Africa. Harbors, estuaries, lagoons and rocky coasts from Norway and Iceland to Senegal and the Mediterranean.
Habitat: Harbors, estuaries, lagoons and rocky coasts from Norway and Iceland to Senegal and the Mediterranean.
Depth: 1–20 ft.
Fishing depth: Near the surface to mid-water.
Best season: Summer and autumn in the north; all year in the south.
Best time: All day; dawn and dusk are best.
Best tides: The flood tide in estuaries and harbors.
Best weather / conditions: Calm, warm days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Bread flake, bread paste and fish paste over a bread-mash chum.
Best artificial lures: Small baited spinners (the 'Mepps and ragworm' method) in estuaries.
Tackle setup: 11–13 ft float rod with a 3000 reel.
Hook size: Size 8–12 strong hooks.
Line: 6–8 lb mono.
Leader: 4–6 lb fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Float Hooks Net

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Harbors, estuaries, lagoons and rocky coasts from Norway and Iceland to Senegal and the Mediterranean.
Rig up: 11–13 ft float rod with a 3000 reel. 4–6 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Bread flake, bread paste and fish paste over a bread-mash chum. Lures: Small baited spinners (the 'Mepps and ragworm' method) in estuaries.
Fish it: Feed bread mash steadily to get the shoal feeding, then fish bread flake under a small float in the cloud. Strike at the smallest dip.
Time it: All day; dawn and dusk are best. The flood tide in estuaries and harbors.

Fishing techniques: Feed bread mash steadily to get the shoal feeding, then fish bread flake under a small float in the cloud. Strike at the smallest dip.
BigJoe's tip: Mullet have soft mouths; set your drag light and use a big landing net.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Edible; fish from clean water are good grilled or baked, but harbor fish can taste muddy.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Harmless.
Regulations: Minimum sizes apply in some areas (for example 30 cm in some UK areas); check local rules. Sea fishing rules change by country: the UK, Ireland and France need no sea license, Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Greece sell or require recreational sea licenses or permits, and Italy asks for a free online registration. All have minimum sizes, and marine reserves have no-fishing zones.
Conservation: Slow-growing in northern waters; many UK anglers release them.

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Sources & photo credits