Barbel or mullet

[poledark]

Slightly off topic, but isn't most of it down to the tackle used? One simple scenario, I fished a weir pool for barbel and lost every one I hooked due to their ability to fight and stay deep and get snagged. This was on a 1.75 TC rod and 10lb BS line.

I went back the following week with one of my 13ft 3lbTC rods and 15lbBS line and literally dragged a few out.

 

Don't think I have ever caught a mullet............

 

Den

[mel p]

Caught both on the same wonderful west country holiday....

 

All mullet go bonkers from small to large...

 

Small Barbel go beserk, bigger ones tend to pull more but not go beserk - trying to use power and strength - so have to give it to mullet....

[Jim Murray]

I reckon the replies from anglers who've caught both species makes this a tie at 4-4 clap.gif

(Asked the same question on the sea forum).

 

The *theory* was that mullet from cold water don't fight as hard as ones in warm water but I've since heard tales from NMC members of the battling Alderney Winter fish. Inconclusive?

 

In my experience the mullet fight is extremely variable from fish to fish. I'd just love to know why some do and some don't....

 

Could it be venue-specific? I hear the Medway & Christchurch fish can sizzle off line to the max. Around half of my Scottish & Irish mullet hardly take any line at all and fight for 5 minutes or less. Still powerful but no fireworks.

 

Or could they be a bit like salmon, i.e. fish fresh to the river will fight harder than those which have been there longer and gone stale?

 

Jim.

[ColinW]

When you've settled this one, let's get onto a more important question.

Who do think would win in a fight, three squirrels or a badger?

[Tony U]

When you've settled this one, let's get onto a more important question.

Who do think would win in a fight, three squirrels or a badger?

 

 

Would they be Grey or Red Squirrels?

[Dunk Fairley]

In my experience, any fish hooked in shallow water goes absolutely bonkers. That includes Barbel, Trout and Carp, which all go faster in shallow water.

[ColinW]

Would they be Grey or Red Squirrels?

 

Greys obviously, reds are nancy boys.

 

I reckon that although the badger obviously has the edge in terms of stamina, the squirrels would out-think it. Two squirrels could distract dumb old brock while the third one grabbed its nuts.

[gozzer]

Greys obviously, reds are nancy boys.

 

I reckon that although the badger obviously has the edge in terms of stamina, the squirrels would out-think it. Two squirrels could distract dumb old brock while the third one grabbed its nuts.

 

Nah, Colin, all Brock has to do is sit on his nuts, and the squirrels wouldn't have a chance.

 

John.

[corydoras]

I reckon the replies from anglers who've caught both species makes this a tie at 4-4 clap.gif

(Asked the same question on the sea forum).

 

The *theory* was that mullet from cold water don't fight as hard as ones in warm water but I've since heard tales from NMC members of the battling Alderney Winter fish. Inconclusive?

 

In my experience the mullet fight is extremely variable from fish to fish. I'd just love to know why some do and some don't....

 

Could it be venue-specific? I hear the Medway & Christchurch fish can sizzle off line to the max. Around half of my Scottish & Irish mullet hardly take any line at all and fight for 5 minutes or less. Still powerful but no fireworks.

 

Or could they be a bit like salmon, i.e. fish fresh to the river will fight harder than those which have been there longer and gone stale?

 

Jim.

I only fish for thick lipped mullet, and all the mullet that I have caught have been in the Solent , Hamble or the Itchen. Every one has put up a good fight. Thin lipped mullet do not fight as hard as the thick lipped variety in my experience. Your hypothesis may hold true, fish are poikilothermic so a fish from warmer water may well be more energetic than a fish of the same species from cold water. Edited July 13, 2007 by corydoras

[Guest tigger]

In my experience, any fish hooked in shallow water goes absolutely bonkers. That includes Barbel, Trout and Carp, which all go faster in shallow water.

 

 

I've always found you get a much better fight from the fish in deep water and a larger water. They can't run and dive the same in small or shallow waters therefore don't give as good an account of themselves.