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How to catch Surmullet

Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758

About Surmullet fishing

The surmullet belongs to the goatfish family Mullidae and is easily recognised by its fusiform body, distinctive long barbels on the chin, and vibrant longitudinal red and brown stripes along its flanks. Typically reaching around twenty five centimetres in length with a maximum potential of forty centimetres, this demersal species inhabits shallow coastal waters down to moderate depths over rough grounds, broken ground, and soft sandy bottoms. They cruise near the seabed using their sensitive barbels to root out benthic organisms including worms, small crustaceans, and mollusks. Surmullet are oceanodromous, undertaking seasonal movements and spawning during the warmer months when eggs and larvae become pelagic. Highly valued for their exceptional culinary quality, they are a frequent target for commercial fisheries and recreational marine anglers alike across European waters.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    25 cm SL

  • Market value

    Very high

  • Habitat

    Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn

  • Also known as

    Red mullet, Red stripped mullet, Striped mullet, Striped red mullet, Woodcock of the sea

Surmullet

Caudal shape

Deeply forked tail fin aids in identifying this species.

Longitudinal stripes

Body displays distinct red and yellow longitudinal stripes.

Chin barbels

Long barbels on the chin are characteristic of goatfishes.

First dorsal markings

First dorsal fin shows prominent dark markings.

Surmullet fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    25 cm SL (max 40 cm SL )

  • Typical weight

    0.2 kg (max 1 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    7–16.1 °C

  • Depth

    5–409 m

  • Longevity

    11 years

  • Body shape

    Fusiform / Normal

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    41.6

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Surmullet

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Surmullet

Tips for catching Surmullet

Targeting surmullet successfully requires presenting natural baits directly on or very close to the seabed where these bottom-feeding fish forage for marine worms and small crustaceans. Fine tackle is essential because surmullet possess small mouths and can be wary, so use light lines, sensitive quiver tips, and small hooks baited with pieces of fresh ragworm, lugworm, or tiny strips of shrimp. Boat anglers do well by drifting slowly over sandy patches interspersed with rough ground or rocky reefs, letting the rig bounce naturally with the current while keeping close contact with the bottom. Shore anglers find the best results from piers, jetties, or rocky marks during stable sea conditions in the warmer spring and autumn months. Early morning and late afternoon hours often yield the most consistent sport as fish move closer to shallower inshore structures to feed.

Other names for Surmullet

Local and alternate names anglers use for Surmullet.

  • Surmullet
  • Woodcock of the sea
  • Striped mullet
  • Striped red mullet
  • Red mullet
  • Red stripped mullet

Best equipment to catch Surmullet

Compare fishing methods for Surmullet — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Surmullet

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Surmullet migrates — Oceanodromous

Migrates within the sea between spawning, nursery and feeding grounds, and never enters fresh water. Follow its seasonal shifts along the coast and offshore.

How Surmullet migrates — Oceanodromous 1. Eggs: Laid on the spawning grounds. 2. Larvae: Drift with the currents to the nursery grounds. 3. Juveniles: Grow up in sheltered nursery waters. 4. Adults: Range widely over the feeding grounds. 5. Spawners: Return to the spawning grounds each season.
Spawning grounds Nursery grounds Feeding grounds

1 Eggs

Spawning grounds

Laid on the spawning grounds.

2 Larvae

→ Nursery grounds

Drift with the currents to the nursery grounds.

3 Juveniles

Nursery grounds

Grow up in sheltered nursery waters.

4 Adults

Feeding grounds

Range widely over the feeding grounds.

5 Spawners

→ Spawning grounds

Return to the spawning grounds each season.

It stays in the sea and never runs up into fresh water.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Surmullet

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Feeds by

    Hunts animals

  • Hunts

    Dawn · Dusk

  • Feeds over

    Hard bottom

  • Main prey

    Baitfish · Bottom prey

Prey and predators of Surmullet

Prey is what Surmullet 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

Fish

  • Raja clavata juv./adults
  • Seriola rivoliana juv./adults
  • Epinephelus marginatus recruits/juv.
  • Fistularia commersoni juv./adults
  • Scorpaena porcus juv./adults
  • Serranus atricauda juv./adults
  • Serranus cabrilla juv./adults
  • Synodus saurus juv./adults
  • Uranoscopus scaber juv./adults

Where Surmullet lives

Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.

Habitats
Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral, Bathyal
5–409 m
Water column
Demersal
On or near the bed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Surmullet

Mapped fishing spots where Surmullet is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

Banc du Caro

FinistèreBretagneFrance

Marismas de Llodero

Asturias / AsturiesAsturias / AsturiesSpain

Torrente de Garenda

Illes BalearsIlles BalearsSpain