Catching Mullet

  During this time of year, it is a common thing to see boats dotting the bay with someone in the front throwing a net.  Mullet school as they are heavy with roe and are heading off shore to spawn.  Each female can lay one to seven million round eggs on the sandy bottom.  Many of the eggs are eaten by other fish but after about thirty-six hours the rest hatch.  The little ones are also fair game for larger fish and even birds.  Many do not make it past their first week of life but those that do, head back to the shallows of the bays and bayous.  There they feed and grow to produce another generation.

  The mullet run occurs in late October and goes on through November. This is the time that local fisherman can catch a literal boatload of the fish.  While a lot of uppity folks claim they would never eat a mullet the fish has pulled a lot of folks through hard times.  Down here in the Deep South, we are grateful for what we have and never pretend we are too highfalutin to eat a mullet.  We know how to clean and fry a mullet so that they are actually delicious!  Its a Southern thing, folks, get over it.

  Mark has been catching his share of the fish, lately.  Since we know that mullet are best eaten the same day they are caught, very few will make it to the freezer.  Most of the fish he catches are cleaned and given to a bunch of our elderly friends.  They appreciate the time and effort that Mark takes to provide them with fresh fish.  Most of them have memories of doing just what he does.  

  The net-throwing takes a bit of skill in itself but when throwing from a boat, you had better have good balance, as well. A small skiff like we use to go "mulleting" (I am not referring to a hairstyle here but a way of catching fish) can shift out from under you in a heartbeat!  Let that boat get full of flippity-floppity fish and it gets a bit slippery so wearing a good pair of non-slip shoes is also a requirement!  Mark has this task down pat and comes home with buckets full of the fish.  An hour later, the fish are cleaned, fried and eaten or delivered to our friends!  Life on the Bayou is good.