Striped Mullet
Identification
Striped mullet — hardhead mullet, gray mullet, or simply “mullet” — are one of the most abundant and ecologically important fish in Virginia’s estuarine waters. The body is elongated and cylindrical, with a bluish-gray to olive-green back, silvery sides, and a white belly. The namesake feature is the series of dark horizontal stripes running along the flanks. Mullet have a small, terminal mouth with virtually no teeth, and a flattened head with a blunt snout. They typically range from 12 to 20 inches and weigh 1 to 3 pounds in Virginia waters. The closely related white mullet (Mugil curema) is also present but lacks the distinct horizontal stripes. If you see a silvery, striped fish jumping clear of the water for no apparent reason, it’s almost certainly a mullet.
Habitat and Behavior
Striped mullet are found worldwide in warm coastal waters, and Virginia’s estuaries and surf zone support enormous populations. They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on algae, detritus, and plant matter scraped from surfaces or filtered from mud. They often feed at the surface, where they can be seen jumping and rolling — the famous “mullet jump” that has puzzled anglers for generations. Mullet are incredibly fast swimmers and are a primary forage species for virtually every predatory fish in Virginia waters: bluefish, Spanish mackerel, red drum, cobia, striped bass, flounder, and sharks all key on mullet. In the fall, vast schools of mullet migrate south along the Virginia Beach oceanfront, and the predators that follow them create some of the best fishing of the entire year. The fall mullet run is a sacred event on the Virginia coast.
Fishing Techniques
Catching mullet on hook and line is challenging due to their vegetarian diet and small, toothless mouths. Most mullet in Virginia are caught with cast nets for use as live bait. For hook-and-line fishing, a small hook (size 8 to 12) baited with a tiny dough ball made from bread, corn, or a paste of algae and flour can be effective. Float fishing these baits just below the surface near schools of mullet is the standard approach. Some anglers use a “mullet rig” — a small hook hidden inside a ball of bread dough fished on light line. The key is using very light tackle (4-8 pound test) and small, inconspicuous baits. Mullet are easily spooked, so approach schools quietly and cast ahead of the fish. For cast netting, a 6-8 foot radius net with 3/8-inch mesh is ideal for Virginia mullet.
Baits and Lures
Bread dough balls are the most common bait for hook-and-line mullet fishing. Mix bread with a bit of water — sometimes with corn meal or flour added — to form a dough, then form small pea-sized balls around a small hook. Corn kernels on a small hook can also work. Small bits of worm will occasionally take mullet, as will balls of algae or moss scraped from pilings. The key is small, natural baits that match what mullet are naturally eating. Artificial lures are generally not effective — mullet are not predatory and won’t chase lures. As bait, live mullet are outstanding for flounder, striped bass, red drum, and cobia. A lively finger mullet on a Carolina rig is one of the most effective inshore presentations in Virginia waters.
Best Times and Locations
Mullet are present year-round in Virginia but are most active from April through November. The fall mullet run — typically September through October — is one of the most important events in Virginia fishing. Vast schools migrate south along the beaches from the Eastern Shore to Sandbridge, and the predators that follow them create some of the best fishing of the year. For catching mullet themselves, the estuaries and tidal creeks are the best grounds: the Lynnhaven River, Little Creek, Back Bay, the marshes around the CBBT, and the tidal creeks feeding the lower Chesapeake all hold thick schools. Mullet can also be netted from piers and in the surf, particularly near Rudee Inlet. Early morning is best for cast netting, as mullet are often more concentrated and less wary. The Ocean View and Buckroe areas are also productive.
Regulations
Striped mullet are managed by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. There is no closed season and no minimum size limit for recreational anglers. The recreational bag limit is 200 fish per person per day combined with other unregulated species. Cast nets are legal in Virginia for catching mullet and other non-game species — check current VMRC regulations for cast net size and mesh restrictions. Always verify current rules before fishing or cast netting.