Thin Lipped Mullet Fishing in Ireland

Thin Lipped Mullet in Ireland

Thin Lipped Mullet (Chelon ramada) is the least commonly recorded of Ireland's three mullet species, distinguished from its thick-lipped relative by a narrower mouth and lip structure. It shares the same estuarine and harbour habitat and the same reputation for extreme wariness that makes all mullet species a specialist pursuit.

The species records far fewer ISFC specimens than Thick Lipped Mullet — likely some combination of genuinely lower numbers in Irish waters, under-reporting, and the difficulty of reliably telling the two species apart without close inspection, rather than a precise measure of relative abundance.

As with all Irish mullet species, thin lipped mullet reward patient, technical fishing over any kind of direct approach.

When Thin Lipped Mullet Fish in Ireland

Where Thin Lipped Mullet Fish Best

Venue rankings below come from ratified specimen submissions, not scientific stock surveys — popular, well-fished venues will always show more specimens than remote or lightly-fished ones holding the same fish.

Rosscarbery and Cork Harbour lead the small specimen record, with Clonakilty and Clonakilty Bay also contributing — the same west Cork estuarine marks that dominate Irish mullet fishing generally.

See every fishing.ie venue for thin lipped mullet — ISFC-ranked or not — in the full directory below.

Size and Specimens

With a much smaller specimen record than its thick-lipped relative, a qualifying thin lipped mullet is a notable and relatively rare capture.

Based on ISFC specimen and threshold records — reflects where anglers fish and submit claims, not necessarily where the species is most abundant.

How to Catch Thin Lipped Mullet

Thin lipped mullet are the one Irish mullet species that reliably takes a moving bait, unlike the static, patient approach usually needed for thick lipped and golden grey mullet — a small spinner or Mepps-style lure with a ragworm tail attached, retrieved steadily through estuary channels and harbour margins, is the standard and most productive method.

Freelined bread flake fished static over a groundbait mash, as for the other mullet species, will also take thin lipped mullet and is worth trying alongside spinning, particularly where fish are showing but not chasing a moving lure.

Correctly identifying thin lipped mullet against thick lipped mullet requires checking lip and mouth structure closely, since the two can be easily confused at a glance.

The same estuarine, sheltered-water habitat as other Irish mullet species applies, though thin lipped mullet's willingness to chase a moving bait makes them a comparatively more accessible target than thick lipped or golden grey mullet, which usually demand near-total stillness and patience.

Rules and Conservation

Thin Lipped Mullet Venues in Ireland

17 specimens

Rosscarbery

Co. Cork · South West

7 specimens

Cobh & Cork Harbour

Co. Cork · South West

5 specimens

West Cork Coast — Clonakilty Area

Co. Cork · South West

1 specimen

Dingle Peninsula

Co. Kerry · South West

1 specimen

Courtmacsherry

Co. Cork · South West

Frequently Asked Questions