Mullett

The Mullet (Myxus elongatus, Mugil cephalus and Aldrichetta forsteri) is also known as the "lano" or "tellegalene" mullet in some areas and the sea mullet is often named the "bully" mullet or simply "bully", as well as "hard-gut" mullet and river mullet. Yellow-eye mullets are often called "pilch" and juveniles of all species may be refered to as poddy mullet or "poddies".

The sea mullet is a fat, cylindrical fish characterised by a thick, transparent, gelatinous covering over the eyes. Its colouration varies, but is generally dark grey or green on the back with bright-silver flanks and a silvery-white belly. The sand mullet is a much more streamlined fish with a more pointed head and smaller eyes. A small, dark blotch is evident at the base of its pectoral fins. The yellow-eye mullet is characterised by its yellowish eyes and smaller, more easily dislodged scales. Bully mullet commonly weigh between 0.6 to 1.5 kg or more, although those taken commercially in beach-netting operations often weigh between 1.5 and 3 kg. The sand and yellow-eye mullet are much smaller fish, rarely exceeding 0.7 kg.

Sea mullet are common around the Australian coast but are particularly prolific between central Queensland and southern New South Wales and migrate along the coast in autumn and early winter in large schools. The sand mullet is an estuarine and inshore fish of Southern Australia and the closely related yellow-eye mullet's range is found mainly southern waters.

Mullet can be difficult to catch but both the sand and yellow-eye can be caught on light tackle and small hooks baited with bread, dough, peeled prawn, cockle or pipi, worm pieces or maggots.