At a glance the thin-lipped grey mullet looks much like the thick-lipped. Our sources do not record it off the Sussex coast. British boat record: confirmed.
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About the thin-lipped grey mullet
At a glance the thin-lipped grey mullet looks much like the thick-lipped. Look closer and the differences show: the lips are thinner, the colour is lighter, and there is usually a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin. It is usually smaller than the thick-lipped mullet, though the source gives no exact size for it, so no number is put on it here.
Like the other grey mullet, it lives in calm, sheltered inshore water such as harbours, estuaries and marinas. That is where to look for it.
The methods are the same as for the thick-lipped mullet: light tackle and small hooks, size 6 to 10.
Because the two look so alike, it takes a careful look at the lips and the fin spot to tell them apart, which makes identification part of the interest.
The British boat record is 8lb 7oz 4dr, caught off the east coast of Guernsey in 2015. The sources give no months for the species and no Sussex records, so those are left out rather than guessed.
On the boat
The sources do not describe boat fishing for thin-lipped grey mullet. They say it is found in calm, sheltered inshore water such as harbours, estuaries and marinas, and that methods are the same as for the thick-lipped mullet, using small hooks (size 6 to 10) and light tackle. No months or Sussex information are given, so we will not guess.
British boat-caught record
Confirmed record
- Weight
- 8lb 7oz 4dr (3.834kg)
- Where
- East coast, Guernsey
- When
- 2015
- Angler
- Ollie Stenning
Confirmed British boat-caught record: Ollie Stenning, 8lb 7oz 4dr (3.834kg), East coast, Guernsey, 2015. 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 60cm.
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?
You can often tell it from the thick-lipped mullet by a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin. The official boat record, 8lb 7oz, came off Guernsey in 2015.
Questions about the thin-lipped grey mullet
What is the British boat-caught record for thin-lipped grey mullet?
Confirmed British boat-caught record: Ollie Stenning, 8lb 7oz 4dr (3.834kg), East coast, Guernsey, 2015. 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 60cm.
Is thin-lipped grey mullet caught off the Sussex coast?
Not according to the sources behind this guide.
When is the best time to catch thin-lipped grey mullet?
Our sources do not give months for the thin-lipped grey mullet, for Sussex or for the rest of Britain.
How big does a thin-lipped grey mullet get?
Usually smaller than the thick-lipped mullet.
Sources
- British Sea Fishing: Mullet species: britishseafishing.co.uk
- BRFC sea fish listings June 2026: anglingtrust.net
Picture: etrusko25, file page on Wikimedia Commons. Every picture in the guide is listed on the picture credits page.
