MULLY (WALLAGO ATTU)

Also known as the “Fresh water Shark” is a commonly found predatory fish that can grow up to fairly large sizes. They provide good sport on light and medium tackle. Although, the Mully is a fresh water catfish of the Siluridae family it deserves a page of its own since it is such a popular species for lure fishing.

Habitat: Found all across the Indian sub-continent in all major rivers and lakes.

A very aggressive predator, it feeds predominantly on fish but also on crustaceans, insects, frogs, and even small birds.

Catch Size: Mully of 6 – 9 lbs are very common. However, there are rivers and large impoundments where even today, fish up to 22 lbs are caught regularly. The record stands at 78 lbs.

Methods: Can be caught on assorted lures, live & dead bait and very occasionally caught on paste baits when fishing for other species. It is very partial to chicken and animal entrails.
Although Mully are occasionally caught on top water lures, the majority of fish (especially the larger specimens) are caught when lures are fished deep, so it is always good practice to occasionally bounce lures of the bottom.

Tackle Description: Tackle for Mully can be divided into two categories – light and Medium. The medium tackle is required only when fishing flowing streams / rivers as they tend to congregate to feed on the debris and fish that is swept down. Mully invariably use the current to run down stream and provide very good sport in the fast water. Break offs are common even with heavy tackle in rocky areas.

Light Tackle: Rods of 6’ to 7’ rated for 20 lbs line with casting weights of around 15-20 grams are ideal. Reels of size 3000 – 4000 are perfect as they hold enough line with sufficient drag to tame Mully. Reels should ideally hold at least 150 yards of 20 lbs braid. A strong monofilament or Fluorocarbon leader of 30 – 40 lbs is recommended as the saw like teeth of Mully can abrade and cut braided line. Some anglers use steel leaders but we have found them to be unnecessary and actually detrimental to the action of the lure.

Medium Tackle: Rods of 7’ to 9’ rated for 40 lbs line with casting weights of 60 grams are ideal. Reels of 4500 – 5000 holding at least 200 metres of 40 lbs Braid are required. A monofilament or Fluorocarbon leader of 50 – 60 lbs tied on with an FG Knot is mandatory. Strong hooks are necessary and it may be required to change the hooks on some lures.

Lures: Spoons, In-line Spinners, Spinner baits and Vibe lures are very effective as are Crank and Jerk baits. As mentioned above, use only strong hooks with heavy duty snap swivels. For top water the whopper-plopper type lures work extremely well.