Co Limerick mullet

[Chelon]

Been trying virtually the length of the county from the city to Tarbert; have certainly seen a few fish though not in great numbers anywhere. I've yet to get them looking at bread, having tried a great many times. Does anyone have any experience in this area, I'm thinking of trying worm or fish baits, if so does anyone know any marks here where worm can be dug? PM welcome if anyone does have any current info.

[JimC]

Most if not all mullet (that are not resident in lagoons etc.) tend to migrate offshore for the winter. Certainly you'd be hard pressed to find some down here in Cork Harbour. They'll be gone until April/May

[Chelon]

Most if not all mullet (that are not resident in lagoons etc.) tend to migrate offshore for the winter. Certainly you'd be hard pressed to find some down here in Cork Harbour. They'll be gone until April/May

Hi Jim, yes I'm well aware of their seasonal habits, this question is more for next season, though I did see a few near Foynes last week so anything is possible. In West Cork they are present and catchable year round.

[gearoid mc s.]

As Jim said above, in late summer however all the smaller channels and backwaters can be thick with them. Matter of putting time in is all it takes have seen some pigs over the years.

[Chelon]

As Jim said above, in late summer however all the smaller channels and backwaters can be thick with them. Matter of putting time in is all it takes have seen some pigs over the years.

I've put in a great deal of time there and in other parts of the country caught plenty mostly on bread, but in Limerick they do not seem interested, that's why I asked for more local knowledge on marks for digging hopefully maddies - also any alternative baits that have worked in that part of the world would be welcome. I'm not sure if some of the fish I'm seeing are thin lips, that could partially explain their disliking of the white stuff.

[JimC]

Hi Jim, yes I'm well aware of their seasonal habits, this question is more for next season, though I did see a few near Foynes last week so anything is possible. In West Cork they are present and catchable year round.

Ok, that was not clear from your post...
If you want to get mullet feeding on bread you will have to train them. By that I would suggest you use an onion bag or such like and keep it stocked and throwing out offerings over a few days. They will eventually get going. Unless maybe they are golden greys....

[Chelon]

Hi Jim, yes I'm well aware of their seasonal habits, this question is more for next season, though I did see a few near Foynes last week so anything is possible. In West Cork they are present and catchable year round.

Ok, that was not clear from your post...
If you want to get mullet feeding on bread you will have to train them. By that I would suggest you use an onion bag or such like and keep it stocked and throwing out offerings over a few days. They will eventually get going. Unless maybe they are golden greys....

Thanks Jim, yes I've been trying bread as you describe over many sessions, they just do not turn on to it at all. On a very few venues I've found you have to use fish or worm but as I say in Limerick venues they don't seem to like it. Weird because I've tried in Kerry and caught on bread from remote venues where they wouldn't see any bread at all. I'm really after a spot where maddies could be dug there, haven't found one so far.

[gearoid mc s.]

As Jim said above, in late summer however all the smaller channels and backwaters can be thick with them. Matter of putting time in is all it takes have seen some pigs over the years.

I've put in a great deal of time there and in other parts of the country caught plenty mostly on bread, but in Limerick they do not seem interested, that's why I asked for more local knowledge on marks for digging hopefully maddies - also any alternative baits that have worked in that part of the world would be welcome. I'm not sure if some of the fish I'm seeing are thin lips, that could partially explain their disliking of the white stuff.

Very few people fish for them around here given the wide variety of toothier critters available, also maddies are hard got in the Shannon. Far easier bought if possible.

[Go Big or Go Home]

Clare side of the estuary with strips of mackerel.

[Chelon]

Clare side of the estuary with strips of mackerel.

Now that is interesting, does that work in a few spots in Clare or only in harbours where they see good few fish scraps? Have you tried bread over on that side?

[eoghanb]

I used to get loads in balbriggan harbour ,what we did was take the fillets of a mackerel,then hang the carcass off the side of a boat a foot or 2 above the bottom,when the mullet start to feed on it confidently then drop freelined pieces ,just a hook no weight ,let it drift around among the mullet ,when one takes strike low and get the fish away from the rest or it’ll scare the rest ,if you get them feeding and there’s a good few around u should get a good few