Saltwater · Year-round on rocky shores

Snouted Mullet

Chaenomugil proboscideus

A small eastern Pacific mullet with a specialised protruding snout for scraping algae off rocks, found from Mexico to Panama; it is a minor local fishery fish and essentially an encounter species for anglers.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Identifying features

Protruding snout adapted for scraping rock algae — unique among local mullets
Small size, to only about 22 cm
The only species in its genus Chaenomugil
Silvery grey mullet body without bold markings
Feeds head-down on rock surfaces in the wash zone

Habits

Scrapes algae growing on coastal rocks with specialised teeth
Lives in rocky areas near the coast, not over open sand
Most active where waves keep rock algae beds washed
Of minor importance in local fisheries, mostly in Panama

Distribution

Mazatlán & the Mainland Pacific Coast · Sinaloa to OaxacaCommon

Pacific Coast, Guatemala · GuatemalaCommon

Pacific Coast, Costa Rica · Costa RicaCommon

Panama — Pacific, Canal & Caribbean · PanamaCommon

Where to find them

Rock platforms with green algae in the wash zone
Rocky points at the edges of sandy bays
Harbour rocks and breakwaters on the Pacific mainland

Where they live

Rocky littoral zonesSurf-swept rock platformsRocky bay shorelines

How to catch them

Algae on a tiny hook by the rocks Rock fishing

Rig: Light float rig, size 14-18 hook on 4 lb leader, minimal shot

Bait/lure: Strands of green rock algae

Key tip: Present algae right against the rocks where fish are scraping; takes are tiny dips — this is a specialist micro-fishing method and most fish are simply observed.

Bread paste float fishing at rock edges Shore

Rig: Sensitive float, split shot, size 14-16 hook

Bait/lure: Bread or flour paste

Key tip: Chum sparingly with mashed bread at the rock edge and drift the bait through the wash; expect far more follows than hook-ups.

Best baits & lures

Green algae strands on a tiny hookBread pasteFlour dough paste

Techniques for Snouted Mullet →

Baseline setup

Rod: Light 6-7 ft spinning rod
Line: 6 lb mainline, 4 lb fluorocarbon leader
Terminal: Size 14-18 fine-wire hooks, small float, split shot

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

7'6" medium-heavy jigging rod

≈ US$110-170

Works 2-6 oz jigs over rock and reef and still has the backbone to lift a halibut off the bottom.

Line · Budget

50 lb braid with 40 lb leader (200 yd)

≈ US$25-40

Thin braid cuts the current so jigs stay vertical; the leader shrugs off rock and teeth.

Terminal · Budget

Leadhead jigs, swimbaits and two-hook bottom rigs

≈ US$25-40

A leadhead with a swimbait tail is the universal bottom-fish catcher, from rockfish to cod to flounder.

Picks are never paid placements. Prices are guides; price links are coming soon and none is an affiliate link yet.

Typical size

Common under 20 cm; maximum 22 cm TL

On the table

Minor local food fish, mainly in Panama; too small to be a routine table target.

Similar species

Thoburn's MulletThoburn's mullet has an orange eye and a convex forehead and feeds over sand and mangroves; the snouted mullet has a projecting scraping snout and works bare rock

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

Plan a trip for Snouted Mullet

Build today's plan

⚠ Heads-up: Snouted Mullet doesn't occur around Vancouver, BC (or is very rare there), so it's not a sensible local target. Your plan stays in Vancouver, BC and is built around the fish that actually live there.