Cast netting mullet is not easy, any tips?!

1bluehelmet

I see schools of 10 at most and their always moving fast. It’s been frustrating 

MikeGonz

Generally speaking, cast netting them on or near the flats is tough to impossible, for most people. As you say they are fast and not knotted up in huge numbers. Wading offers the best chance, in total stealth mode.

In my experience, throwing from a dock, pier, bridge, narrow canal etc will provide better opportunities, as the fish tend to circle or stay in one place, if you will, as opposed to open water where they are moving. 

In the winter, just before or when cold fronts hit, the mullet will be in tight schools of thousands, moving down the bays towards the passes, and then offshore. These fish are pretty easy to catch from a boat, but you've got to get in front of them a bit, have a buddy driving, and be tough enough to handle the weather, wind, and rougher waters. These schools can be easy to spot once you figure them out, they create a disturbance on top, attract birds/pelicans, and will black out a bottom machine.

Hopefully some others here can provide additional info to help.

Good luck!

ANUMBER1

try before the sun gets up good.

CaptJ

Anticipate which way they're going and throw ahead of them. Throw a big enough net to cover some area. 10' minimum.

1bluehelmet

Thanks for all the great information. This gives me hope!

MulletMaster239

Throw the net low as possible. If it is too far above the surface when you release it and you have a big arch, they see it coming.

AlwaysLearningMore

As mentioned above, night time is easiest if you can find the fish.  During the day I try to make low trajectory throws, and wait till they're headed away from me to throw so they don't see it coming as much.  Usually.  Sometimes.  They spend their lives being afraid of trouble from the sky so they're pretty skittish.  

jmac7469

Low light is your friend. Mullet in open water can be hard to net once the sun is up. Depending on the area dock lights pre dawn can be very productive. I throw a heavier net for them. 

demersalangeler

 As mulletmaster said. Throw it low & I get ready to choke up on the pull rope emiditaly in deep water. They will dive out from under the net. Plus a big 8',10',12', or 14' net to cover the area. Unles your near structure like docks, or mangroves. 

 They have to make a living to & it's probably not their first day on the job.

stpetebaitman

If you are able to find them 'mudding' you will also have a higher change of success. Mudding is when there are a lot of mullet in an area like a grass flat churning up the water so that its muddy.

When you motor over these muddy areas you will sometimes see one or two mullet spook up to the surface. Throw on top of them because you could come up with a dozen or more in a throw if their friends are below them and can't see the net due to water clarity.