The calendar flips to September. The winds shift to the Northeast as the water temperatures drop ever so slightly. Fall is in the air. It could only mean one thing for Florida fishermen. The mullet are coming!
2020 has been rough times for the entire world, but we banded together and the future looks bright. Here in Florida, we had closed boat ramps, piers and even beaches. It seemed we were doomed as the fall season was approaching fast and if we were to miss the mullet run, it would be unthinkable.
Could this be the highlight of the year of an epic? I think so!
Last year was said to be pretty dismal by local fishing guides. As a fisherman, you can only be optimistic that each year will be a good one.
The mullet run is a migration of bait fish from North to South along the beaches. The highly sought out bait fish attract large tarpon, sharks, snook, bluefish and a ton of other speices.
I heard someone describe it as the “Greatest Show on Earth” and I couldn’t agree more. Once the mullet reach their southernly destination, they turn east and spawn offshore. You never know when the turn will happen. You can just hope it is after you get some really good sessions in.
The 1st of September came and we saw nothing. Not even a sole mullet. We even had a trip where we couldn’t even catch local/resident baits.
Granted we have had an incredible white bait season, but that’s really just a warm up for the big game. We want mullet and we want them by the millions.
Finally a storm passed our coast and the NE swells rolled in. It wasn’t long before the American flags were flapping from the NE too. Just like that, it was like a switch. We had mullet, we had pods! They were here!
We dropped everything we were doing and brought out the cast nets, snag hooks, and heavy artillary in hopes of catching big, triple digit tarpon.
We started in Sebastian, Florida where the beaches and inlets were packed with mullet run fishermen trying to get on big fish. We saw several slot size snook as well as big tarpon and sharks. It was beginning to look like an epic migration was about to unfold.
It wasn’t long before the fish were in Palm Beach to South Beach. Anglers of all ages and experience levels have been getting in on the action.
If you have never experienced the mullet run, now is your time to shine. I recommend you book your favorite inshore fishing guide to really expereience it. It has taken me almost twenty years of dedication to dial in the migration.
Here’s how you can get in on the action.
Travel Light
The mullet are migrating. This means they are the move and you may have to keep up. It’s for this reason only bring what you need. A back pack and one fishing rod is my usual setup.
Stand Out
Because there is so much bait, you need your presentation to be unique. A wounded baitfish is likely to get the strike. Soft platsics are great, but nothing like a live mullet on a circle hook.
Tackle Check
The fish are big. This means your gear and knots are going to be tested to the extreme. If you are fishing braid to mono, we like the Crazy Alberto knot. Do your best to keep sand off your gear. Circle hooks are your best option for getting good hook sets and healthy releases.
When you find the mullet pods, you will most likley find the fish. It is some of the most epic fishing you will experience in your life if you catch it on the right day and time.
Tag us in your Mullet Run report #reelreports for a chance to win some gear.
Tight Lines,
Captain Mike