Capt. Alex Gorichky
Run mullet, run! Welcome to the apex of what could be considered the best time to fish on the Space Coast. The fall mullet run is an amazing spectacle to witness in person and is a must for any angler that enjoys a good fish fight. Every “fall”, and I use that term lightly due to the fact we typically don’t have fall weather in the traditional sense. For the purpose of this conversation September is fall though the 90 degree temperatures outside might say different. Now one might wonder how a fish of any sort; let alone a mullet can run. They don’t, they are fish with fins not feet! Yet again we stretch the literal meaning of a word to suite our agenda and for the sake of sanity call this migration a “run”. Plus, “the fall mullet swim” doesn’t have the same feel. The interchangeability of that word run for migration has a strong foothold when talking of fish species. The migration of mullet southward to their wintering grounds in South Florida, the Keys, and beyond is a time of plenty along its path. As autumn sets in and cold front start to slide through the deep southern states. Local populations of mullet from small fingerling size to striped mullet weighting several pounds get an itch to leave the backwaters and bays riding south bound wind and waves to better digs. Coastal Carolinas, Coastal Georgia, and North Florida all lose their mullet at this time to our great benefit. As this biomass of food pulses down our/all beaches every predator big and small takes notice. For some like the snook it’s a chance to fatten up after their spawning activities in preparation for the lean time of winter ahead. For others like the Jack Crevalle it’s a chance to let their aggressive side take full control in awesome displays of predation. For the giant tarpon it’s typically the last chance at fish in good numbers as they fallow the migration to the same wintering grounds; only to return when the south winds of spring settle back in warming the waters. For the entire month look to find schools of mullet on the beach from the breakers to the sand with hungry gamefish in tow and looking for a fight! Utilizing live mullet caught on site or even lures that imitate the same mullet you see getting eaten will have you battling fish like snook, redfish, tarpon, jack crevalle, bluefish, mangrove snappers, ladyfish, and more. It is true mixed bag fishing and you never know what the next cast will bring. One of my favorite species to target in the mullet run is snook. Hard fighting and really good to eat they are a top of the list for most anglers. With so much bait and action I like to target them with a lipped plug like YoZuri, Bomber, windcheater, or the like so I can stay mobile. Working the lure along the beach, troughs, and busting fish is a great way to move with the action. Port Canaveral can be absolutely world class at this time, as the mullet use the port to “rest up” before heading back to the beach and south. The predators use the port to feast on those resting mullets and the fishing can be insane.
Capt. Alex Gorichky
LocalLinesCharters.com
Space Coast fishing guide
Kayaks By Bo team paddler
Contact Capt. Alex @
321-480-3255