Identifying fish (from a distance, bass, s/t, mullet)

[teacher]

Anyone have any tips for identifying or distinguishing bass, mullet and sea trout from their activity. Especially surface activity like visible fins, speed, movement, jumping, etc.

For example, in shallow water bass dorsal fins create a large distinctive "slashing" V at the surface of the water as they move.

In estuaries you often see two small fins fairly static or moving very slowly. I assume these are mostly mullet (because they're largely oblivious to any lure you throw at them).

What other signs and behaviour can be used to distingush these species when sight fishing??

[kieran]

really good question...

I will never forget an unending miserable March day trying to identify the bass in mullet shoals around rotting seaweed down in Kerry a few years ago and the guide, who will remain nameless, was convinced they were all bass! :roll: With bass you can sometimes see the spikes in the dorsal fin especially in shallow water. A solitary fish hanging stationary in the water is almost always a bass as opposed to mullet which seem to be constantly on the move and prefer company. I am sure there were bass in amongst the mullet in Kerry but you could not see past your nose with the feckin mist.. or the water dropping off your nose!

Love to see what other people have come up with... oh and I have to admit that the b£$$&%d caught a bass right at the end on a fly!

:wink:

[Tanglerat]

You hook him and he says: "Oi! Where's your licence and tags?", he's a sea trout.

You hook him and he says: "Oi! Don't you know yesterday was May 16th?", he's a Bass.

You try to hook him and fail endlessly and miserably whilst he cruises past ignoring you and saying nothing, that's a mullet, that is.

hth :D

[PaddyB]

You hook him and he says: "Oi! Where's your licence and tags?", he's a sea trout.

You hook him and he says: "Oi! Don't you know yesterday was May 16th?", he's a Bass.

You try to hook him and fail endlessly and miserably whilst he cruises past ignoring you and saying nothing, that's a mullet, that is.

hth :D

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[kinsebr]

You try to hook him and fail endlessly and miserably whilst he cruises past ignoring you and saying nothing, that's a mullet, that is.

hth :D

I think I can actually see them laughing at me sometimes!

[thelegend]

Anyone have any tips for identifying or distinguishing bass, mullet and sea trout from their activity. Especially surface activity like visible fins, speed, movement, jumping, etc.

For example, in shallow water bass dorsal fins create a large distinctive "slashing" V at the surface of the water as they move.

In estuaries you often see two small fins fairly static or moving very slowly. I assume these are mostly mullet (because they're largely oblivious to any lure you throw at them).

What other signs and behaviour can be used to distingush these species when sight fishing??

only ever seen bass in shallow water once in west cork, shoals of them came into a shallow bay at mid low water, seemed tobe taking a rest , not interested in any baits i threw at them, your right about the v on the top of the water though, i wasnt sure til i caught several of them next day when the tide was flooding outside of the bay