Species
Sea Mullet
Mugil cephalus
Also known as striped mullet
Tier 3Eating6/10ultralight tackleNSWVICQLDSAWATASNT
28 waypoints25–45 cm (max 80 cm) typical
Regulations
NSW30 cm min · bag 20
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 30 cm min | 20 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about sea mullet
Schooling baitfish of estuaries, beaches and coastal rivers around most of Australia. Targeted with bread or dough on tiny hooks, or netted commercially. A primary baitfish for mulloway, sharks and mangrove jack — and underrated as smoked or fresh table fare.
Biology: Sea Mullet size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Beach, Estuary, Inshore, River
- Typical size
- 25–45 cm (max 80 cm)
- Weight
- 0.5–2 kg (max 8 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–20 m
- Diet
- algae, detritus, micro-organisms
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Worldwide tropical/temperate; AU = sea mullet, sand mullet, diamond-scale mullet
How to target: Sea Mullet angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- bread dough on a tiny hook under a quill float at estuary edges
- weed flies and tiny nymphs on a 4wt for sight-fishing mullet pods
- cast net at HWM for live bait
Safety & handling
Primarily netted for bait (live mullet) or roe (bottarga).
Recent community catches: anglers who caught sea mullet
No sea mullet catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: sea mullet fishing spots in Australia
South Australia15
- Christies BeachBeach · SA-35.14°
- Goolwa BarragesRiver Mouth · SA-35.52°
- Lake Albert (Meningie)Dam · SA-35.69°
- Maslin BeachBeach · SA-35.23°
- Onkaparinga River MouthRiver Mouth · SA-35.15°
- Parnka Point (Coorong)Lagoon · SA-35.93°
- Port River (Garden Island)Estuary · SA-34.82°
- Robe BreakwallBreakwall · SA-37.16°
- Salt Creek (Coorong)Lagoon · SA-36.13°
- Sellicks BeachBeach · SA-35.34°
- Semaphore JettyJetty · SA-34.84°
- Tea Tree Crossing (Coorong)Lagoon · SA-36.02°
- The CoorongLagoon · SA-35.73°
- West Beach ShorelineBeach · SA-34.95°
- West LakesDam · SA-34.88°
Victoria5
Tasmania3
Western Australia2
Queensland1
More information: sea mullet references & sources
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