Hot Lips

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:50 pm

There is no doubt that the main shoals of Mullet which patrolled Bronwich Shore during the summer months have moved on.
The shore from Bronwich extends for three and a half cliff topped miles to reach the mouth of the River Hamble, with large areas accessible only on foot. I find mountain bike a quick and easy way to survey this section of coast in search of feeding fish.

Mullet in this area appear to fall in to two groups of social behaviour. Firstly, a mix of Golden Grey and Thick Lipped Mullet in the 1 to 3lb range which feed in shallow water, close to shore. The second group consists of Thick Lips and a Golden Grey/ Thick Lip hybrid ranging from 4lb upwards.

I noticed a decline in fish numbers several weeks ago, co-inciding with a drop in water temperature. Individual fish rather than shoals are now the norm. To date, the Mullet I have succeeded in catching have been part of a shoal, due perhaps to group competition overiding the Mullet's typically cautious demeanour. For the past few weeks I have chased these individual fish with a variety of flies, to no avail. I have sent Daddy Longlegs, Silver Butchers and Soldier Palmers to tempt them without so much as a sniff in return.

Today was to be the turn of the Red Tag. The morning dawned mellow and misty, recent wind and rain now a temporary thing of the past. I cycled the single mile from home to coast as the village emerged from slumber.
The sea was calm and beautiful, one of those rare days when not a breath could be felt.

Mullet were present, their movements cruelly exposed by the mirror like surface. With stealth, I waded towards the nearest fish, only to see it disappear before I was within casting range. I decide to remain motionless, hoping a fish might venture within distance. A Mullet approached to my left, and I used the current to swing my flies directly in its path. The fish consumed the Red Tag without hesitation but was not hooked. Nonetheless, I had now perhaps identified an effective fly.
I continued with my stalking and the Mullet generally continued with their disappearing.
Eventually a small group of fish presented me with an opportunity and I delicately drew my flies amongst them. The most gentle of takes followed and produced perhaps the smallest Bass ever to be caught on fly

I cast to the same shoal oncemore and this time felt a hard jab to the fly but again the fish was not hooked. The tide was now making inroads and the fish melted away with the deepening water.
Nearby, a large gravel bar remained semi-exposed and looked worthy of inspection. On the far side, I could see a decent sized Mullet in the crystal clear water, policing the margin. My flies came to rest two yards from the fish. The Mullet appeared to stop in shock before shooting towards the flies in a silver blur. Just when I was wondering why the line had not tightened, it did. Alarmingly so. The fight that followed lasted for twenty arm aching minutes with the fish producing a full repetoire of violent head shaking, incredibly powerful runs and periods where it sulked and stubbornly refused to move at all.
With great relief I slid the fish safely onto the bank and was able to admire its perfection. I estimated its weight to be a good 6lb or more. The hook was so well set that it took almost two minutes to remove from the thick upper lip. I was concerned that the fish may require careful reviving after the prolonged fight but within seconds of re-introduction to the water, it powered strongly away. My right arm took a little longer to recover.

Aptly named Thick Lipped Mullet

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:56 pm

Now thats where persistence pays off.
You deserved a fish like that after all those hours,well done.....now repeat!!!
Lovely report and nice pics.
Cheers
Simon
I told you red tags months ago!!!

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:23 pm

good report col .nice mullet aswell.ever thought of become a swffing journlist.tightlines mate mick

Member Joined: Jun 10, 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Winchester

Ab. Fab. Col!!
Red Tag eh? - might just give this a go mid week next week.
Congrats on a great fish and once again, a great write up. Rich

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 3:29 am

Super fish MF well done! winking

Very inspiring stuff...

Aren't those baby Bass beautiful though, with their little line of spots along the top of the flank?

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:21 am

May i just add to this and point out the fact that none of us were invited out on such a perfect morning.
Bloody selfish Scotsman!!!

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:41 am

Superb report and a cracking fish. Well done. applause

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:46 am

Great detailed report well done happy

Craig

Regular Joined: Jul 26, 2009 Posts: 343 Location: Surrey

Yes, well done. Gives me a bit of inspiration to have a go at the mullet again. A reg tag. Who'd have thought it. Red seems to be a good colour for mullet.

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:10 am

the red tag is suppose to be one of the most verstile flies in the freshwater fly world,so i suppose its not surprising its worked on one of our more harder to catch speices as col we know.iam just surprised he has still got a head of hair all the frustrating moments he has had with the grey ghosts .well done again col on a fine catch .mick

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:39 pm

Here's another picture of my wee pal, showing the depth of body and the tail that provides all that power.

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:51 pm

Naaaah im not having that Colin,the tail is obviously a cardboard cut out with a few pencil marks on it!

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:52 pm

Fintastic report col! You paint such wonderful pictures with your words.
I could almost see myself standing by your shoulder on that wonderful autumnul morning.

Lets hope tomorrow brings us luck?

See you at 05:15 !!!!! YAWN

Member Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 93 Location: Chichester

Very very nice bass, shame about the mullet...

Great stuff

dainger

Member Joined: Apr 14, 2008 Posts: 46

What a fantastic looking fish. Well done.
Is the fly you use a subsurface pattern?