Mullet Fishing Guide
Mullet are schooling fish found in Australian estuaries, beaches, rivers and coastal waters, including Victorian systems. They are a practical light-tackle species that can be targeted from land or boat where schools move through shallow edges, channels and sheltered water. They are often seen in numbers, but feeding behaviour and presentation matter because they may graze or filter small food rather than attack large baits.
The important context is water movement and food. Mullet can use estuary channels, lower rivers, sand flats, beaches and quiet backwaters depending on tide and conditions. They are often close to the surface or along edges where fine berley and small food collect. In some places they are collected for bait as well as food, so bag and possession rules should be checked before retaining a bucket of fish.
Tactics should stay small and controlled. Use a fine berley trail to hold a school without filling them up, then present small baits at the right depth. Bread, dough, small pieces of bait or similar source-supported offerings suit their feeding style. Floats can help keep bait suspended and visible, while unweighted or lightly weighted presentations suit quiet water. If fish are present but not biting, reduce bait size and disturbance.
Schools can sit in one current lane and ignore bait outside it. Watch where fish are actually turning or flashing, then set the float so the bait travels through that water.
Gear is simple: light line, small hooks and a sensitive rod are enough in most sheltered water. Use a float where it helps follow current or keep bait above weed and bottom rubbish. In faster water or surf, increase weight only enough to control the bait. Mullet are fragile when handled, so release unwanted fish quickly. In Victoria and elsewhere, check whether species-specific or general finfish limits apply.
When using berley, stop feeding for short periods if the school rises but refuses baits, then restart lightly once the fish settle back into a feeding rhythm.
Check your local state fishing authority website for current mullet size, bag and rule changes.