The thick-lipped grey mullet is a streamlined silver-grey fish with a flattened snout, a thick upper lip, faint horizontal stripes and a forked tail. Our sources do not record it off the Sussex coast. British boat record: confirmed.
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About the thick-lipped grey mullet
The thick-lipped grey mullet is a streamlined silver-grey fish with a flattened snout, a thick upper lip, faint horizontal stripes and a forked tail. It can reach about 80cm and 6kg, and a fish of 3 to 4lb is a very good catch from the shore.
It likes calm, sheltered water such as harbours, marinas, estuaries and coves. It tolerates brackish water and will travel a long way up rivers. It is a summer migrant to coastal waters: mature fish stay in shallow water in summer and move deeper in winter, and spawning runs from mid-winter into spring.
The usual approach is light tackle and stealth. Ledgering, float fishing, free-lining and bread on or near the surface are all used, along with groundbait. Fly fishing can work too. Patience counts for more than power with this fish.
The British boat record is 10lb 1oz, taken at Portland in Dorset in 1952. West Sussex reports mention mullet in local rivers and golden grey mullet at Shoreham and Tide Mills, but none name the thick-lipped, so no claim is made for Sussex.
On the boat
Most of the methods in our sources are light-tackle ones for sheltered water: ledgering, float fishing, free-lining and bread, with groundbait. Mature fish stay in shallow water in summer and move deeper in winter, with spawning from mid-winter into spring. The official boat record came from Portland in Dorset. No months or Sussex information are given for boat catches, so none are claimed here.
British boat-caught record
Confirmed record
- Weight
- 10lb 1oz 0dr (4.564kg)
- Where
- Portland, Dorset
- When
- 1952
- Angler
- P C Libby
Confirmed British boat-caught record: P C Libby, 10lb 1oz 0dr (4.564kg), Portland, Dorset, 1952. This is the official British Record Fish Committee listing. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer boat claims are now by length only, with a qualifying length of 65cm.
How we label records: the British boat-caught records table explains confirmed, claimed and none listed.
Care and rules
No minimum size for grey mullet was found on the GOV.UK table. Sussex IFCA byelaws may also apply. Our sources give no release or eating advice. Rules change: check the current rules before you fish.
Did you know?
The thick-lipped grey mullet tolerates brackish water and will travel far up rivers. The official boat record, 10lb 1oz, has stood since 1952 and came from Portland.
Questions about the thick-lipped grey mullet
What is the British boat-caught record for thick-lipped grey mullet?
Confirmed British boat-caught record: P C Libby, 10lb 1oz 0dr (4.564kg), Portland, Dorset, 1952. This is the official British Record Fish Committee listing. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024, and newer boat claims are now by length only, with a qualifying length of 65cm.
Is thick-lipped grey mullet caught off the Sussex coast?
Not according to the sources behind this guide. West Sussex reports mention mullet in local rivers and golden grey mullet at Shoreham and Tide Mills, but none name thick-lipped mullet.
When is the best time to catch thick-lipped grey mullet?
Around Britain: A summer migrant to coastal waters. Mature fish stay in shallow water in summer and move deeper in winter. Spawning runs from mid-winter into spring. Our sources give no months for Sussex.
How big does a thick-lipped grey mullet get?
Can reach about 80cm and 6kg. A fish of 3 to 4lb is a very good catch from the shore.
Sources
- British Sea Fishing: Mullet species: britishseafishing.co.uk
- Planet Sea Fishing: Thick-lipped grey mullet: planetseafishing.com
- BRFC sea fish listings June 2026: anglingtrust.net
Picture: Roberto Pillon, file page on Wikimedia Commons. Every picture in the guide is listed on the picture credits page.
