Why You’re Using Cut Mullet Wrong [Do This Instead]
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing
Cut mullet is one of those baits that seems pretty straightforward.
Cut it up, hook it on, send it out.
That’s what I used to think too.
But after fishing with it more, I started noticing something…
Some pieces just didn’t look right in the water.
They’d spin, drift weird, or not stay where I wanted them.
And once I paid attention to that, a few small adjustments made a big difference in how that bait actually performed.
Watch below to see how I cut mullet now, which pieces I like to use, and how I rig each one so it stays more natural in the water.
Gear Gear Shown in This Video:
- Rod: Slam Stick 7’6 Medium
- Reel: Otis 2500
- Hook: 5/0 Owner Mutu Light Circle Hook
- Mainline: Diawa J-Braid 10lb
- Leader: Ande 15lb Mono Leader
Key Takeaways
- Different sections of the mullet behave differently in the water
- Certain cuts can cause your bait to spin or move unnaturally
- A more streamlined cut helps the bait track better
- The head section is more useful than most anglers think
- How you rig the bait affects how well it stays on the hook
- A simple lob cast helps keep the bait intact
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever fished cut mullet and felt like it should be working better…
It might not be the spot or the fish.
Sometimes it just comes down to how that bait is moving.
Once you get a feel for which pieces to use and how to rig them, it’s a lot easier to keep your bait looking natural and in the strike zone.
Give it a shot next time you’re out there.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Thanks Tony. On another note, have you considered sharpening your bait knife 🤪?
You’re welcome! Haha, that crusty thing was in the bottom of my storage hatch in the boat. Gets the job done! I guess I probably should get a new one….
Great info – Thanks Tony
You’re welcome Rodney!
Thanks Tony as always great information I never thought to do that to the belly
You’re welcome James!
What if I don’t see any tailing reds? Like I’m somewhere deeper, what should I look for in a place to cast? Near structure, dropoffs, in the current or next to the current?
You’ll want to look for highways, intersections, and rest stops – high ways and intersections are places that fish would use to get from one area to another. Rest stops would be places where they stop and hang out, such as docks, oyster beds, points, etc. where they have cover. Shorelines with deeper troughs close to the edge, edges of flats, potholes, channels under bridges, etc. Best way to look at it is to think of how the fish travel throuyghout your area. Using 1ft contours and depth charts can help.
Thank You!
No problem!
Great video Tony! Thanks
You’re welcome Robert!
Thanks Tony,
You’re welcome Tim!
Great info as always- Thanks Tony…
You’re welcome John!
Are you using weight to hold it in place or just freelining it ?
I free line it in shallow water so it doesn’t get buried in the grass. Will depend on the current as well. If it’s too strong I’ll add some weight
Great video? How do you typically weigh it down? Are you using split shots or fish finder setup?
I’ll use a small egg sinker on the leader or just use a jig head. You could use split shots as well, anything will do as long as it weighs it down.
Great mullet cutting demonstration, Tony! Good to the last chunk…
Thanks Greg!
Good Tips. Thanks!
You’re welcome Ahmad!