Mike Fox Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 (edited) With the recent poor weather, and a fair amount of time in harbour, I've spent a lot of our recent holiday teaching George the art of groundbaiting and freelining for mullet, and getting resoundly beaten by him. The best bait we've found to be the cheapest white sliced bread you can find. Groundbaiting while fishing by always holding a slice, and tearing off fingernail-sized bits of crust or white flake, and keeping a slow but steady "little and often" pattern of groundbait at the back of the moored boat, with a mixture of floating and sinking (squeezed) baits drifting slowly away. The fish find the outer edge of the groundbait trail, then work up towards you. The secret is then to drop their preferred style of bread close enough to them to tempt them. We used light spinning rods, with 8lb of clear trace with a No 10 hook, no weights or swivels - just freelined. Most fish were "cherry-picked" as they were spotted with polarised sunglasses. To start with a cracking golden grey mullet of 2lb 6oz to me - from a spot outside of club waters - so this one I haven't declared officially. Mike Edited August 12, 2007 by Mike Fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 We then went to another spot, this time in club waters, where George and I had a great day of sport. George had the best, a specimen thick lipped grey mullet at 4lb 14oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 I couldn't match this, but my best went 4lb 0oz exactly. Unfortunately, I dropped the fish between netting it, and this photo, and I was spined by the fish on my bare leg. I forgot mullet had spines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 We moved to a third spot, also in club waters, and tried to repeat our luck. George's best fish here went 3lb 9oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted August 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 (edited) Again I couldn't live up to George's yardstick, getting my best at 3lb 8oz exactly. I was broken up by a huge fish the same day, which I never saw. It had taken sinking bread, just beyond the limit of visibility, and was much heavier then the earlier 4-pounder, fighting much harder and deeper. I wondered if it might have been a bass? It eventually straightened the No 10 hook. Edited August 12, 2007 by Mike Fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnasher Posted August 12, 2007 Report Share Posted August 12, 2007 that sounds like mullet fishing at its best. It has to be one of the best sport fish that we can target and the fight is like nothing else. Mike, using small pieces of bread nails them big time, and you have seemed to have got the knack at catching them. People tend to think there much harder to catch than they really are, but as long as the presentation is good, they are actually fairly easy. I suspect the golden grey is a hybrid as the spot dosn't look quite right, i landed a fish over the british record last year that i got exited about, but i have a feeling that it was the offspring from a golden and a normal grey. Top angling mike and keep catching them . The one that got e excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Hi Mike and Family, Good to see Frisky Fox back home - welcoming us back into the Marina. I notice from your catch photos that none of them were home base! I know that we are not supposed to fish for them - but I have been fattening them up with all my bait left-overs and other such goodies, for some time now, just waiting for a sneaky opportunity to have one out! Their are some real monsters lurking below the pontoons and I want one. Neal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Mike, good to see you having some fun in the sun George looks well pleased PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted August 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 (edited) The mullet were the fishing highlight of the trip. - The Rips didn't produce for us on two visits (one cookoo wrasse and a cuttlefish - both to George); -Certain offshore banks of turbot and brill fame were unfishable when in the vicinity due to strong winds, fierce tides and distinctly whumpity conditions; - Our least favourite offshore jaggedy reef had huge swells and adverse tides preventing us getting the bass we had sought, and gobbling huge amounts of tackle; - And when off our favourite bunch of offshore rocks, George failed to smash the club garfish record that he had his eye on - despite over 20 livebaits being taken by them, some right beneath the boat in gin-clear waters. They're awesome predators, scrappy fighters, and a real shame they don't grow bigger. Saw Court Jester leaving at 7.15 a.m. on Sunday, Neal, and suspected the lure comp was somehow still on, despite the Strong Wind Warning. Whatever would the Safety Officer have said? We spent Sunday morning packing down, and hosing off, etc. George had a great time, Paul, and can't wait to get out again, maybe to try some of those rocks and pits that we investigated on our way back in on Saturday, or have a crack at some of the rays that seem to be around now! Roll on the weekend. Mike Edited August 13, 2007 by Mike Fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Nice one Mike you sound as if you enjoyed some sport in the breeze Tom Baker was showing Dan a few hints on mulleting last week and he really does know how to get them to take bread. We look forward to taking a few hints next summer Well done Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Removed Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 hi all i was hoping to go out on thursday, but due to the forecast think the harbour will be a safer bet. Hope to go after mullet, but have no knowlege of poole harbour ( have caught loads in Christchurch over the years) is any one prepared to give me info on the best marks/areas to try ? I am moored at cobbs and it seems the fattest fish are just under the boat, however i understand we are not allowed to fish there, or are we ? regards max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted August 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Weather does looks grim for Thursday Max. I think it is against your MDL agreement, and they will almost certainly object if you're caught fishing. Holes Bay (along with most shallow parts of the harbour) has loads of mullet, and if you pick up a mooring or anchor, you are almost certain to bring them in with bread groundbait, as above. Also try some of the remote bays at the back of the harbour, especially just after low when they are in the deeper channels. I've found that they will also take an inch of ragworm, spun 4" behind a metal flounder spoon - no weight - just extra swivels to avoid tangles. The top of the flood brings cleaner water in and they will see it more easily, and by trying different depths (pause and count before the retrieve) you can search the water in a clock-style manner at all depths. You'll also take schoolies and flounder this way. Mike PS I don't eat the fish in Holes Bay - too many toxins! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Removed Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Good Morning Mike Thanks for the info. Hope to put it to good use this Thursday. Will p m if we do any good. By the way the comment about Cobbs was meant to be tongue in cheek ! Regards Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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