How to catch Thicklip grey mullet
Chelon labrosus (Risso, 1827)
About Thicklip grey mullet fishing
The thicklip grey mullet is a robust coastal fish belonging to the family Mugilidae, easily recognised by its silvery-grey flanks, elongated body shape, and characteristically thick upper lip. Growing up to a maximum length of 75 centimetres, typical adults average around 32 centimetres. This schooling species inhabits shallow marine waters, estuaries, and brackish lagoons, frequently venturing up into tidal freshwater reaches across the northeastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. As a demersal browser, it feeds primarily on benthic diatoms, epiphytic algae, micro-invertebrates, and organic detritus gathered from soft substrates. It undertakes seasonal northward migrations during summer as inshore temperatures rise, and moves into deeper marine areas during winter to spawn. Valued both as a commercial food fish and as a tenacious sport fish, it provides demanding shallow-water light tackle sport for anglers.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
32 cm SL
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Market value
Low
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Habitat
Freshwater, Brackish, Saltwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn
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Also known as
Grey mullet, Lesser grey mullet, Thichlip mullet, Thick lipped mullet, Thick-lipped grey mullet, Thick-lipped mullet
Caudal shape
Forked tail fin is typical of fast-swimming pelagic grey mullets.
Pelvic-fin position
Abdominal pelvic fins are positioned far back along the belly.
Thick lips
Thickened upper lip easily distinguishes this species from other mullets.
Pectoral fin base
Dark blotch at the upper base of the pectoral fin.
Thicklip grey mullet fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
32 cm SL (max 75 cm SL ) -
Typical weight
0.8 kg (max 4.5 kg ) -
Preferred temperature
8.8–20.1 °C -
Depth
2–15 m -
Longevity
25 years -
Body shape
Elongated -
Commercial?
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Vulnerability score
63.5
Best hours
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Low
Dawn
First light
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Peak
Morning
After sunrise
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Active
Midday
High sun
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Peak
Afternoon
Late day
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Low
Dusk
Last light
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Low
Night
After dark
When to fish for Thicklip grey mullet
How to catch Thicklip grey mullet
Tips for catching Thicklip grey mullet
Targeting thicklip grey mullet requires finesse and careful groundbaiting to overcome their cautious nature and specialized herbivorous diet. Use a light match rod or a long pole with sensitive float rigs presented just off the bottom in shallow estuaries, harbours, or around structural outfalls where natural food accumulates. Bread flake, small pieces of ragworm, or soft dough baits fished over a cloud of mashed bread groundbait are exceptionally effective presentations. Mornings and afternoons during the warmer months provide the most consistent sport, especially as the incoming tide pushes fresh food into sheltered bays and brackish creeks. Keep your tackle refined with light fluorocarbon hooklengths, as these fish possess exceptional eyesight and will readily reject presentations tied with heavy or visible lines.
Other names for Thicklip grey mullet
Local and alternate names anglers use for Thicklip grey mullet.
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Thick-lipped mullet
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Thick-lipped grey mullet
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Thicklip grey mullet
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Thick lipped mullet
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Thichlip mullet
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Lesser grey mullet
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Grey mullet
Best equipment to catch Thicklip grey mullet
Compare fishing methods for Thicklip grey mullet — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 0.8 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Float Fishing
Suspending bait beneath a float at a controlled depth.
90% Effectiveness
Rod
Float rod
A float rod is the all-round fishing rod for a float in rivers and still water, a step down in length from match.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 3.6 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Moderate
- Grip
- Cork
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
2.5 kg · 0.16 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Hook
J-hook
A J-hook is the classic J-bend fishing hook for bait. You set it with a strike. Sizes are tokens such as 12 or 1/0.
Sized for a typical fish
8
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Float
Waggler
A waggler is a bottom-only attachment float for stillwaters and slow rivers. You shot it down and watch the antenna.
Sized for a typical fish
4 g
- Attachment
- Fixed
- Habitats
- Freshwater
- Methods
- Float Fishing
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
60% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 2.1 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
2.5 kg · 0.16 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
4 kg · 0.2 mm · 80 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
4
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Best lures and baits for Thicklip grey mullet
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Bread
- Float Fishing
- Bottom Fishing
Soft inner bread compressed onto the hook for surface feeding.
02
Maggot
- Float Fishing
Segmented white body provides enticing natural movement and scent.
How Thicklip grey mullet migrates — Catadromous
Grows in fresh or brackish water and migrates to the sea to spawn. Estuaries and lower rivers fire when adults drop downstream.
1 Eggs
Sea
Spawned out at sea.
2 Larvae
→ Estuary
Drift with the currents towards the coast.
3 Juveniles
→ Fresh water
Enter estuaries, and many move on into fresh water.
4 Adults
Fresh water
Feed and grow in rivers, lakes and estuaries, often for years.
5 Spawners
→ Sea
Head downstream and out to sea to spawn.
Many only reach estuaries and the lower river; eels travel far inland.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Thicklip grey mullet
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Diet
Omnivore -
Feeds by
Browses the bottom -
Hunts
Morning · Afternoon -
Main prey
Baitfish · Plankton
Prey and predators of Thicklip grey mullet
Prey is what Thicklip grey mullet eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.
That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.
Prey
What it eats
Predators
What hunts it
Birds
Where Thicklip grey mullet lives
Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.
2–15 m
River mouth
Where this species lives
Thicklip grey mullet photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.
Where to fish for Thicklip grey mullet
Mapped fishing spots where Thicklip grey mullet is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.
