What Is The Mullet Run?
There are few things that get the blood pumping like watching massive tarpon erupt into giant schools of mullet just yards off the beach. It’s pure chaos, and if you’re in the right spot, it’s like stepping into a live-action National Geographic scene. Every fall, from late August all the way through November, wild scenes like these unfold daily along Florida’s east coast. Massive schools of mullet, oftentimes multiple acres wide, migrate South along Florida’s coastline to spawn. And hot on their tails? Loads of hungry predators: tarpon, snook, redfish, jacks, and sharks, all gunning for an easy meal. This extraordinary, adrenaline-packed phenomenon is what’s known as the Florida Mullet Run, and, when it comes to fishing the Mullet Run this fall, Tsunami and SaltX have everything you need to land your fish-of-a-lifetime.
When Does It Occur?
The Mullet Run kicks off in Northern Florida around September and wraps up by late November or early December. The timing of this migration is closely tied to water temperatures, so any significant changes, like those caused by tropical storms or hurricanes, can disrupt the mullets’ migration pattern. Currently, the Mullet Run is in full swing along Florida’s East Coast, with the bite ramping up around the Melbourne/Sebastian area. While the migration lasts several months overall, prime fishing opportunities in specific regions of the east coast occur in one- to two-week windows as the mullet continue their journey south. If you are in the area, don’t miss your chance - now is the time to gear up and hit the beach before they’re gone!
What To Look For
During the Mullet Run, the first step to finding a great spot is locating the mullet. Don’t just settle for the nearest beach access - to be successful, you have to get out there and pinpoint which mullet schools have the most activity around them. This style of fishing is dynamic and visual - you are chasing giant schools of fish being relentlessly hunted! Scan the shoreline for diving birds and large dark patches in the water - these are telltale signs of huge mullet schools. Dedicate most of your time to chokepoints like sandbars, inlets, and jetties which provide prime ambush spots for predators.
Rod and Reel Selection
When fishing the Mullet Run, you never know what you’re going to hook into with so many big, predatory gamefish cruising the surf. Trophy size tarpon and jacks are notorious for unrelenting, drag-screaming runs, so being prepared isn’t just important - it's critical. A good rule of thumb is that it's always better to be over-prepared than undergunned. Firstly, a long surf rod with a strong backbone is an absolute must. Longer rods will improve casting distance and accuracy, while the strong backbone is crucial to keeping a big fish pinned during a sometimes 30-minute-plus-long battle. Perfect for the task is the brand new SaltX II Surf Rod in the 10 '7 size or the Tsunami Airwave Elite in the 11 or 11' 4 models. Pair either one with a brand new SaltX II 6000 or 8000 and the fish won’t stand a chance. Now with 20 internal seals and up to 50 pounds of drag, the brand new SaltX II is a fully sealed surf-fishing machine. Spool it up with 40 or 50 lb pound braid and 4-5 feet of 80 pound Tsunami Pro Fluorocarbon Leader, and you are ready to hit the sand!
What To Use
During the Mullet Run, the best lures to throw are those that look just like the mullet that predators are chasing. Large paddle tail swimbaits such as the Tsunami Swim Shad and Tidal Mullet are killer choices for mimicking a mullet’s natural movement. Additionally, topwater lures like the Tsunami Surface Blaster and Talking Poppers can trigger explosive strikes from giant fish, especially when bait is being corralled to the surface. Because of how prevalent mullet are at this time, it can be challenging to effectively throw live bait - your bait just doesn’t stand out. When done right, however, a live mullet is the best way to trick a big, finicky tarpon or snook into eating. Anglers who opt to use live bait have a few options for catching mullet. The best methods for catching live mullet are throwing a cast netting or using a snag-rig. Using a 6-10ft cast net, anglers can catch hundreds of mullet at once, compiling enough bait to supply the entire beach. This method is great when you are fishing on the beach with buddies, and need more than one bait at a time. Snagging mullet is another go-to method for many. It consists of casting a weighted treble hook past a school of mullet, reeling into the school, and setting your hook into the school in hopes of foul hooking one of these baitfish. You can use either a premade weighted snagging treble or make your own by tying a dropper loop rig with a large, sharp treble hook and a heavy casting lead at the bottom. Once you’ve got your mullet throw them on a 6/0 to 8/0 Inline Perfect Circle or 4/0 to 6/0 Tsunami SaltX 3X Live Bait Hook through the top lip. Remember, match your hook size to the size of the bait - smaller hooks for smaller mullet and bigger hooks for the larger ones.
Presenting Your Bait
When casting your lure or live mullet, cast well past the large schools and drag your bait right into the heart of the action - this will put your mullet right in the strike zone. When the fish are blasting mullet on the surface, try to give your lure a faster, more erratic retrieve to entice a bite. Additionally, sometimes working the edge of the school will help predators single out your bait or lure! Just like any type of fishing, fishing the Mullet Run takes some trial and error - try a lot of different tactics to see what the fish respond to best.
Fighting and Handling Fish
Once you’re hooked up, keep steady pressure on the fish - tarpon, in particular, are notorious for throwing the hook mid-fight with their unrivaled acrobatics. During the fight, allow the fish to run when it needs to try not to muscle it in too quickly. Make sure, however, that your drag is reasonably tight - it is important to minimize the fight time on these giant fish to ensure a healthy release. For larger fish, like tarpon and big snook, keep them in the wash, and take the time to properly revive them. Hold onto the fish’s tail and gently move it back and forth to help highly oxygenated water flow through their gills before sending them back into the surf.
The Florida Mullet Run is certainly a sight to behold, and fishing it is an experience you don’t want to miss. Tsunami and SaltX wants you to get out there and take advantage of the action while the bite is still hot!