Mullet - Alternative Baits.

Message

#1 Post by **nobuzz** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:22 pm

I had my first attempt at carp fishing earlier this month whilst on Holiday in France.

I ended up with 4 on the fly (Bloodworm pattern) and 3 on sweetcorn.

Most of the serious carp guys were using either Boilies or Pellets.

I was wondering if anyone had ever tried using either boilies or pellets for mullet. My theory is that they might be attracted by the scent.

I know most people use "soft" baits for mullet but the fish would not know that the pellet was hard until it was already in its mouth. In any case, its not inconceivable that mullet suck in gravel etc. when feeding on algae (just watch your goldfish feeding) so the hardness might not be an issue.

Alternatively what about floating dog biscuits/mixers on a hair-rig.

I appreciate that such hair-brained ideas could cost me my credibility but:

a. If you don't ask, you don't learn.
b. It might work. (20 years ago carp anglers were still using worms and bread flake).
c. Nobody here knows me so it doesn't matter if you think I'm nuts.

In any case, next time I get fed-up not catching Sea Trout on the fly in Strangford Lough I might give it a go.

#2 Post by **jamie** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:40 pm

How is Stranford lough fishing at the moment - is there any point in spinning??

#3 Post by **Adam S** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:44 pm

i use pellets in my groundbait mix. whole and crushed but have not used them in the hook

#4 Post by **fenitbob** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:03 pm

Have you tried maggots?

the guy who wrote operation sea angler says they go for them [url]http://www.mikeladle.com/osa.html[/url] I've seen mullet very close to shore in the maharees at high tide obviously feeding on something in the rotting seaweed I was able to crawl within a couple of feet of them.
it was cool.

#5 Post by **alby** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:22 pm

Nobuzz,

I've had them take chum mixers off the top in autumn when they were really hard on the feed, but they really hoovered them up. Didn't use them as a hook bait though because they are too soft when left to absorb water.

I think the problem with using mixers or any bait on a hair is mullet don't really feed the same way as carp (i.e. sucking lots of food/bait in) or they dont have mouths as big, from my experience anyway. Thats the beauty of using the breadflake on the hook.

Maggots however would be ideal on a size 12 or something similar, I think you can even buy buoyant & suspending immitations.

The beauty of bread though is it's readily available, cheap, can be made to float (when dry/fresh) or to sink or suspend (damp/stale).

#6 Post by **Adam S** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:55 pm

you can make maggots float by barely covering them with water or even better diet coke (make sure you keep the lid on though)

the maggots sense the liquid and take on more air as a response , if you put floatant on you line and use a small hook with two or three mags on you can get them to float or sink slowly (depending on size of hook and number of mags etc)

diet coke works well as its very fizzy and the mags use the bubbes as a source of air to take in