Fishing the Mullet Run in Florida

As a charter captain and avid angler, I’ve found the most exciting time to hit the water to target my favorite saltwater species is during the mullet run. While the mullet run typically takes place from the end of August through November, the absolute peak hits mid-September through October here in central Florida. There’s no question why this happens to my busy season for booking fishing charters. Everyone wants to catch their Personal Best (PB) Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Jacks and/or shark during this very active season.

The best way to target fish during Florida's mullet run is by using live bait and even lures that imitate mullet. Any avid angler will tell you that fishing the edges of mullet schools, and focusing on areas thick with baitfish is the way to go. While using swimbaits and topwater lures can be effective, there’s nothing like catching some live mullet with my cast net then tossing them into a huge school of busting bait. Be certain you’re using circle hooks when using live mullet as bait. This will help to ensure an easier, faster, and safer hook-up on your targeted species. Pay attention to areas like inlets, jetties, bridge fenders, and piers, and be ready to cast directly into the mullet schools you discover. 

Below are some of my favorite techniques when targeting fish during the mullet run.

•Use a cast net or snag rig to catch live mullet. 

•Consider using lead weights and circle hooks to control the depth of your live mullet bait.

•Let the bait sit on the bottom to attract attention from ambush predators. 

•Hook the mullet under the anal fin to allow it to swim naturally away from the casting angler.

•Hook the mullet through its nostrils to allow it to easily swim in current toward the casting angler.

•Use lures that can cover the entire water column, from top to bottom. 

•Tide changes can help to concentrate fish and create feeding opportunities, so consider the tides you decide to fish.

•Drones can be used as a valuable tool to seek out large schools of mullet, making it easier to locate prime fishing spots. 

•Dawn Patrol and just before sunset can be prime time for mullet run action. 

•If mullet schools disappear, don’t be afraid to quickly relocate.

If you and your party are looking for an action-packed fishing adventure, look no further than Reel Harmony Fishing Charters as I’ll guarantee you catch some of your biggest and best fish during the peak of the mullet run. Fishing Central Florida during the mullet run for the last twenty years has got me more addicted to fishing than ever before. Let me share my passion for catching trophy fish with you! Call for mullet run charter availability before slots fill up.

Captain Martin Goldys

Reel Harmony Fishing Charters

(386)679-0317

ReelHarmonyFishingCharters@gmail.com

www.ReelHarmonyFishing.com