All species
UK shore species
Thick-lipped grey mullet
Chelon labrosus
Also Grey mullet, Thick-lip
Popularfloatledger
Habitat
Harbours, marinas, warm outfalls, estuary walls, weedy corners.
Season
Peak: Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Also possible: May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
The harbour ghost. They graze slime, bread and small invertebrates in marinas, creeks and harbour corners, and they are far harder to catch than they look.
- Very thick upper lip with papillae
- Blunt head, small mouth
- Two short dorsal fins, well separated
- Silver-grey, several grey longitudinal stripes
Harbour fish 30–50 cm are common. Bigger fish live in the same puddles and ignore you.
- Colour
- Grey-silver with longitudinal stripes.
- Fins
- Two short, separated dorsals.
- Mouth
- Small, thick upper lip with papillae.
Ranked for this species, not as a universal law. Local crab runs and what is actually fresh matter more.
- Float rigA bait suspended under a float for wrasse, mullet, garfish and the odd bass. You watch the float, not a rod tip.Intermediate
- Running ledgerThe lead slides on the line so a shy fish does not feel the weight. Simple and sensitive close in.Beginner
Hooks: 10–6, fine wire. This is not bass fishing.