MAKE THE MOST OF THAT MULLET MAGIC
They’re rarely caught on hook and line, but mullet are one of the most important species in southern coastal waters. Primarily vegetarians that consume algae and various plant matter, these big-eyed wanderers play key roles for anglers seeking the sexier species.
For starters, mullet are a good sign of productive waters. Easing into a cove or a pocket off a major bay, you’re looking for movement, some sign of life. Baitfish schools are always encouraging, but seeing leaping mullet immediately confirms the type of habitat that’s likely to hold redfish, trout, and snook (Florida and Texas).
Drilling down a little deeper, mullet schools provide cover and ambush feeding opportunities for predators that blend in with the crowd and gobble any finfish or crustacean forage displaced by the mullet’s movement. Also, mullet schools are constantly splashing and swirling, so any predators in their midst are less wary, so you can often land a paddletail jig or topwater bait closer without spooking anyone.
Prime Prey
Bull redfish, big trout, snook, and even big jack crevalle eagerly gobble any straggling mullet they spot. The smaller, 4-6-inch finger mullet are most vulnerable, and the new LIVETARGET® Mullet Swimbait offers an easy-to-cast presentation that looks and moves like the real thing.
The Mullet Swimbait features LIVETARGET’s Injected Core Technology (ICT), which combines a lifelike Inner Core that mirrors the vibrant colors and ultra-realistic profiles of live mullet forage with a clear, durable Exo-Skin that produces natural light refraction and flash. Pre-rigged with a Mustad UltraPoint hook, this bait includes an additional underbelly hook attachment point.
With holographic eyes, the Mullet Swimbait features dual split dorsal fins and an oscillator dual-action tail. A user-friendly design, this bait offers a simple and effective cast-and-wind presentation.
A bait for many scenarios, the LIVETARGET Mullet performs well for the snook and big trout that often lurk the drop-off edges of sandbars and island perimeters where lines of finger mullet often traverse. In the classic scenario, a sudden surge of water erupts with mullet leaping for their lives as predators push and corral them against the sidelines.
Elsewhere, use the LIVETARGET Mullet as a search bait to cover broad grass flats and locate redfish feeding on the rising tide. On deeper flats, hit those lighter sand holes and expect attacks on the grass edges.
Bigger Can Be Better
And don’t overlook a full-size mullet’s bait potential. Live ones make excellent options when slow trolling for kingfish or wahoo. For this technique, use a stinger rig comprising a 2/0 Mustad O’Shaughnessy Hook and hang a 3-inch wire trailer segment with a Mustad Kingfish Treble Hook from the bend of that single hook.
Snook anglers targeting true giants know that a big bait weeds out the little ones and makes room for the ones that prefer a hefty mouthful over chasing lots of smaller baits. Nothing fancy here, just free-line a 10- to 12-inch live mullet on a 7/0-8/0 Mustad Demon Perfect Inline Circle Hook and hold on tightly.
Tarpon anglers also like their mullet, but while live baiting can work, the tarpon’s upturned jaw makes this fish highly effective at scooping dead baits off the bottom. A large deboned mullet fished on an 8/0-10/0 Mustad 3X Strong Demon Perfect Circle Hook will connect you with the fish they call the Silver King.
