The pelengas is a strong and cautious fish. It puts up a decent fight to the angler and will give a lot of positive emotions when landing it. We tell you what you need to know about catching pelengas: where and when to look for it and what gear to use for successful fishing.

When and where to catch pelengas

The pelengas is a sea fish from the mullet family with an elongated body covered with large silver scales, a wide forehead and reddish eyes. Initially, its habitat was the Sea of Japan, but in the 20th century, the pelengas acclimatized in the Azov and Black Seas, and now it is found in the Mediterranean basin. This fish can live in both salt and fresh water, it rises up rivers for a considerable distance. For wintering, it goes into pits. The mullet spawns in the sea and enters bays for fattening. Spawning occurs in May–June, after which the fish feeds especially actively. The food base of the mullet consists of invertebrates, plant remains, dead fish, and the nereis worm. This fish feeds closer to the bottom of the reservoir, gathering in schools and coming closer to the shore. Fishermen note that the mullet is afraid of boats: having noticed a threat, it immediately moves a considerable distance and does not return. Since this fish is a schooling fish, the success of fishing largely depends on the ability to find the place where it accumulates. Catchy spots will be: sandbanks 50–100 meters from the shore; shallow bays; in estuaries - silted areas where there is a lot of nereis marine worm. A school of mullet gives itself away by jumping and numerous air bubbles on the surface of the water. The fish bite best from May to October. A good bite usually occurs in the morning, but, in general, the activity of the pelengas during the day is unpredictable: you can catch it all day. The best weather for fishing is warm and sunny. After the autumn cold snap, it moves to greater depths, and catching a pelengas at this time is a great success.

Tackle for pelengas

In the Black and Azov Seas, bays and estuaries, pelengas are caught mainly with bottom tackle and with a surf rod.

Feeder fishing

Fishing for pelengas with a bottom tackle is most common in estuaries and rivers, although you can also meet fishermen with a feeder on the sea coast. Tackle for pelengas consists of a feeder rod of fast or progressive action with a test of up to 150 g, at least 3 m long and an inertialess reel of size 6000 with a low gear. Such "meat grinders" can be found in the catalog of feeder, carp and surf fishing gear.

After each sea fishing, be sure to rinse the reel with fresh water! Surf models often have protection from salt, but it won't hurt to take precautions if you want to extend the life of the gear. You can use either monofilament or braided line - the choice is yours, but remember that the bites of the mullet are vicious, and the jerks during landing are very strong. Monofilament dampens them well due to its stretchability. The recommended diameter of nylon thread is 0.23-0.25 mm, cord - 0.17-0.20 mm or 1.0-1.5 PE according to the Japanese classification. If you fish with monofilament line, be sure to use a shock leader made of 4-strand braided line with a thickness of 0.22-0.24 mm.

Advice: choose a light-colored line to put marker marks on it. The standard weight of a sinker for feeder fishing for mullet is from 80 to 130 g. In windless weather, when the reservoir is calm, drop-shaped sinkers, rocket-shaped sinkers, and classic carp models are suitable. For fishing in stormy weather, when the sea is rough, we recommend using versions with ground hooks so that the waves do not move the rig.

Hooks are chosen in classic shapes in sizes No. 1, 2/0 and 3/0 with a long fore-end and an additional barb or several - the worm is held on them. Fluorocarbon leashes from 0.3 to 0.4 mm up to 25 cm long are used.

Specialized equipment for mullet includes a small brightly colored foam float, which lifts the hook. As a result, the bottom fish does not eat the bait, and the mullet sees it well. Red, green and white colours are most commonly used for floats. Some fishermen additionally varnish them.

Pelengas on a surf rod

Surfcasting is a special type of coastal sea fishing, in which the bait is cast more than 100 m, beyond the surf line. Surf rods with powerful blanks are adapted for this and penetrate even strong winds from the sea well. Models up to 3 m are considered short. They provide a shorter casting range, but at the same time provide a powerful lever for landing trophies. Long ones are from 3 to 4.2 m, they are heavier, but at the same time cast well. The average test of surf fishing rods is from 150 to 250 g.

For surf fishing, special surf reels are needed - powerful inertialess gear of a large size, usually with protection from sea water.

What should the rig be?

One of the most effective rigs for surf fishing for mullet consists of:

a 1.2 m long piece of fluorocarbon line 0.55–0.6 mm; stoppers for carp or float fishing;

quick-release swivels and with a clasp for the sinker;

sinker;

fluor for the leader;

foam float for raising the hook above the bottom.

To tie the first part of the rig, you need to successively string three stoppers, a quick-release swivel, three more stoppers on a thick line, secure the swivel with a clasp with a reliable knot and fix the sinker on it. A leader made of thinner fluorocarbon with a hook and a float is attached to the quick-release swivel. The hooks used are exactly the same as for feeder fishing. Place the float directly above the fore-end, and use a carp cone to additionally secure the leash on the swivel.

Lures for mullet

It is believed that mullet is extremely picky. Shrimp, maggots, dung beetles, pieces of fish, technoplankton and nereis worms are used as bait. This worm is considered the most attractive bait for mullet in all regions of its habitat. Fishermen who independently prepare worms from estuaries sometimes dry them or freeze them. Nereis can be put on the hook whole or in parts, live, dried or defrosted. In order not to look for a real worm, use an artificial bait in its shape. Marukyu and Berkley have such baits - these manufacturers have achieved the most realistic imitation of nereis. Very soft silicone does not arouse suspicion in mullet, and flavor additives enhance the attractiveness of the bait.

Groundbait

As groundbait for all types of mullet, prepare a multi-component mixture of bread, minced fish, flour and corn extract. Of the ready-made store-bought groundbaits, we recommend pellets with the aroma of halibut.

Tips for catching mullet

The right gear and bait do not guarantee a catch. What you need to know when going after mullet:

Choose the right horizon. In calm, clear water, a 20-25 cm leash is enough. When the water in the sea is opaque, mullet rises higher after food, and the length of the leash needs to be changed.

Even a large mullet moves towards the shore quite calmly when being caught. It begins to resist already when approaching shallow water. Fishermen recommend quickly pulling in the main line, and then pulling the fish out along the sand.

For successful fishing for mullet, you need to find a feeding school. Having found a place in the sea where there is a lot of food, the school can stay there for 2-3 days.

What to take with you on a fishing trip?

If you are going to catch mullet, you will need: rod holders to make long hours of fishing comfortable and extend the life of the rod;

a finger cot to protect your fingertips during powerful casts;

polarized glasses to protect your eyes at sea;

a box for storing equipment;

a plastic worm container for transporting sea worms. For anglers who prepare nereis on their own, we recommend transporting it in a small isothermal container or thermal bag;

insect repellent - relevant for summer fishing for mullet.