Golden Grey Mullet

Hi,

I was fishing a competition in Ferry Point, Youghal at the weekend. I caught a golden grey mullet. It was 45cm and about 2.5lbs. I was told it was a rare fish. Has anybody caught them and whats considered a good one? I returned the fish.

Thanks,
ViperSD

From what I remember Dave Lewis saying...

You have caught a bloody stonker.

I wouldn't say no to one like that!

http://www.thenationalmulletclub.org/

:D

Too true I wouldn't say no!!!

http://www.nfsa.org.uk/ntcg/specimen_ar ... area_t.htm

:shock:

They are considered quite rare. The I.S.F.C. have not set a specimen size yet. They are waiting for more examples to be sent to them. There are a few being caught in Cork Harbour over the last year or so. I think most guys throw them back. The ISFC need the body for ID puropses. Still, A nice fish and a pretty one to boot! Well Done.

Jim.

That is a truly brilliant fish. The english shore record is 3lb and you have beaten the boat record well! Pity its not recognised by the ISFC.

ho lads whats the story with specimen sizes and getting them recignised? what do u have to do if u do catch one

check out this site http://www.irish-trophy-fish.com/

You have to kill it.
:shock: Something that is becoming a bit of a Taboo with a lot of Anglers. :!:
I personally would rather see a record swim away as opposed to knocking it on the head for the glory of getting a Certificate and your name in a book.

Not all must be killed. Certain fish must be sent for ID where there is a possibility of confusion. Weighing on land is a problem. That said most species like cod & ling will be kept for the table anyway. We can run to shore with our blonde rays and whiz back out and release them. I would have a problem in killing say a blue shark whereas a conger wouldn't trouble me.

Yes it is a stupid system. I've been lucky to have caught a specimen Thornback (20 lb) the pleasure of several specimen Tope as well as one that was well a contender for the Irish record let alone specimen weight! i have no specimen badges and don't care. I choose to return such fish as well as 99.9% of what I catch. I take Photos. Problem is you will always have unbelievers and sadly there is little you can do about that. My belief is you should be a bigger person. If people want to believe thats good. If they don't, then thats fine with me too. It really does'nt bother me too much. I have witnesses for all my specimens. To haul a huge fish like a shark or Tope home to claim a silly line in a book no one will ever remember or care about in my book is a crime! Let him swim off. You'll feel better for it and then you will always let somone else have the pleasure of possibly catching a super fish! He might even get bigger! There are too few huge fish left in the ocean for us to be going around butchering them for our own egos. let the poor thing live. His life's important to him...

I would not say it's a stupid system. Its a system with rules that have to be followed. It is up to each individual angler to decide for himself whether he wants to claim his fish or not. As I have said, while I personally don't agree with killing some species for the sake of a specimen cert I have no problem with other species. Another curse is the weighing on land. That said to get an accurate weight at sea is well nigh impossible. I noticed a post from an angler who had caught a red gurnard over 2lb, the poster said it was a beautiful fish with lovely blue tinges to the pectoral fins....clearly a tub gurnard? I've seen debates over GSD & LSD too many times. The ISFC does a good job. They have to have a system and the system they have is as good as it can be a present. Who knows, with changes in technology and information, in the future their system may change. In the meantime I will chase specimen fish and will have a craic doing it. I'll make my decision on claiming if I manage to get another. I'll travel to Dublin for the awards and will be as proud as punch collecting my certs.

You cannot not believe a specimen cert.

Jim.

Point well taken. Agree there must be some sort of rules and what i meant to get accross was that I personally don't care for the system myself. I am not mocking those that do, just that awards are not that important to me. The fishing and getting out to sea is the part I enjoy. I find competitive people irritating at times and thus I just shy away from it. It's just my nature. I feel the same way about competitions. Scratching for small fish for a feather in your cap is not my thing. What does it prove at the end of the day? I don't like to waste a good tide or calm sea catching pin Whiting and finger pollack when i could be blanking in Dublin trying (although desperately!) to catch a real fish! Again its just my choice I know others who love comps etc. It just does'nt interest me personally. I'm not pooh poohing your angling Jim. I Would be the last to as you well know! :P :P :P

Also, isnt it ironic that about the only thing that irish anglers catch in Dublin is specimen certs? :roll:

I wouldn't have said you were pooh poohing my angling. I just feel that the ISFC is doing a good job. They refuse to relax their rules and you must give them credit for their standards.
At this stage we fish only one competition each year (Cork Small Boats Festival). We have drifted away from the "club" angling scene for exactly the same reasons you say: it is a shame to spend a good day out catching, say, whiting for points and not being able to target other species because they are not worth the points. We go out to enjoy our fishing whatever we decide to fish for. I love competitive angling. Also with the small boats comp we are fishing as a team and the buzz is incredible. That said there are thousands of guys each week fishing club comps and loving it, fair play to them.
What does a competition like the small boats comp prove? For us it pits us against some very good anglers. To finish well proves that our techniques and watercraft are up there with the best.
The Specimen Awards presentation is one of the highlights of the year. Not the ceremony itself which is a quiet affair but the piss up is incredible! A good shower of us get the train up in the morning. Last year we went to the boat show and then out to the Burlington. We have pints after the presentation and have a few more on the way back down! The craic is mighty, a good day out. I suppose you'll call in on the day next year 05/03/04 2.00pm?

Is that an invite? Where is this whole affair held? I am now intrigued.. :?

No invite required, all welcome. The Burlington Hotel 5th March 2005. In the bar about 1.30pm.

ah luke u cant go changing ur tune now just cos there are a few scoops involved!!!!!!!! i thouhgt u tended to shy away from these competitive ppl!!!!!! lol
:P

Ah now, no one said it was a drinking competition! and sure if it is.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Could this be classed as a Forum Meet? :lol: