Surf fishing picks up as mullet run down the coast

Last updated on September 3rd, 2024 at 07:46 am

Any time of year is great for surf fishing from Florida’s beaches, but late summer and fall are special with the migration of mullet south along Florida’s Atlantic beaches.

Massive schools swarm near shore, attracting gamefish closer to the beach from deeper water.

When these baitfish are abundant near shore, the big fish are not far behind, and that’s why I love fishing from the beach at this time of year. I’m not fishing for mullet. I want the big boys.

The mullet run begins in early September, sometimes as early as late August, along the beaches of northeast Florida, moving south along the coast to South Florida and the Keys. The peak is in mid-October, stretching into early December.

The mullet reverse the migration in Spring, returning to their summer habitats.

Watch for the “boil,” hundreds of ripples on the ocean surface, sometimes bursting with leaping baitfish trying to escape predators, as well as swarming birds, a sure sign there are mullet below.

The larger gamefish will be on the outside edge of the school, preparing to pounce. That’s where your bait needs to be. Cast ho!

My favorite beaches for surf fishing are Canaveral National Seashore and Hutchinson Island.

Even when you’re not fishing, it can be quite a sight along the Atlantic shoreline, especially at the peak of the migration in October.

Surf fishing makes a great getaway any time of year in Florida, a fun family outing, or a place to be alone with your thoughts, and the weather is never better than fall through spring.

You don’t have to buy a lot of specialized gear. Bring whatever fishing tackle you have on hand: a basic spinning outfit, a pyramid sinker, a hook with a leader, a 5-gallon bucket, a cooler for your catch — and nail clippers, the most important tool an angler can carry.

If you get hooked on the fun, you may want to gear up a little more.

Do you need a license to fish from the beach?

Yes, but the required shoreline license is free for the asking to Florida residents.

You must have one on your person while fishing unless you are under 16 or over 65. Seniors without a physical fishing license must have an ID card to prove their age.

The free shoreline license is not valid if you’re fishing from a boat or in fresh water.

Obtain your free license online from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission or call  888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356).

Non-residents must purchase a 3-day, 7-day, or an annual non-resident saltwater fishing license no matter where they fish with one exception: Many public piers and charter boats (not all) have a blanket license covering their customers.

If ordering your license by phone, which you can do at the last minute, have a pen ready to write down your new license number so you can use it right away.

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Gearing up

When you get to the beach, steer clear of swimmers, which could mean a short walk.

I carry two 5-gallon buckets, one for my tackle (reels, sinkers, hooks, leaders, etc.) and the other contains a smaller bait bucket and a small cooler for drinks. Strap a beach chair to your back for the short hike away from swimmers. (Swimmers scare fish.)

The bucket – A basic 5-gallon bucket is ideal. Bucket inserts, available at home improvement stores, make fine compartments for your tackle.

Bait bucket and aerator – For the second 5-gallon bucket, buy a perforated lid from any bait shop to keep live bait contained, and use a portable, battery-powered aerator to keep the water oxygenated. Talk to the bait shop clerk about the best live bait to use in the area you’re going to fish. He’ll have it, or you can catch your own.

Rod holders – Rod holders keep your rod and reels out of the sand. You can buy them, but it’s easy to make them yourself out of a three-foot length of PVC pipe. Use a hacksaw to cut a point at one end for driving into the sand. I pack a rubber mallet to pound it into the sand.

Beach carts — Regular locals go for all the bells and whistles, including PVC-framed carts for carrying gear. You can purchase these hand-made carts at beach-area bait and tackle shops for $150-$200, or you can build one yourself to meet your specific needs. The key to building a successful cart are the wheels, which need to be wide and roll freely. Here are a few ideas from FloridaGoFishing.com.

Fish ruler — Invest a couple of dollars in a fish ruler and a fish identification card. This is not about getting caught, it’s about preserving the fishery for the next time you fish by respecting length and limits. You can buy a fish ruler at any bait shop. I would also recommend carrying a fish identification card in your tackle box, such as this one on Amazon for $7.99. Both the ruler and the card reflect the most recent Florida size and catch limits, and both are invaluable.

Rods and reels

A basic medium spinning outfit will suffice for surf fishing, but you might want to consider kicking it up a notch:

The rod – Most agree that a sturdy rod about 10 feet is the best choice for casting in the surf beyond the break line. I carry an 11-foot Harnell, the granddaddy of surf rods, and an inexpensive 9-foot White Rhino, which is suitable for most conditions. Whatever you use, a longer butt is best for casting.

The reel – The “pros” use a wide, free-wheeling baitcaster, but unless you know how to use it, leave it on the shelf. Backlash is a nightmare. Choose instead a decent medium-weight spinning reel that can handle a few hundred yards of 25-lb to 30-lb. line. I usually carry three spinning reels, wrapped in clean rags, and carry them out in my tackle bucket to keep the sand out.

Tools – Bait knife, long-nose pliers, gloves and nail clippers. You need pliers to remove hooks from your fish without hurting the fish, and nail clippers are indispensable. Gloves are useful for holding your catch and protecting your hands from sharp teeth and fins. Special casting gloves without fingertips can be purchased, or mesh fishing gloves, but vinyl gloves do the least damage to your fish. Don’t discard vinyl gloves on the beach or in the ocean. Re-use them.

Tackle for surf fishing

The line – Monofilament line is the choice of most surf anglers, but old-school fishers use braided lines. Today’s braided lines are thinner and stronger. One of the three reels I bring to the beach has 150 yards of 30-lb. braided line with a monofilament backing of another 200 yards. This allows room for the fish to run and wear itself out. My other two reels have monofilament, 15-lb. and 25-lb. test.

Sinkers – Pyramid sinkers creep into the sand and hold your bait near the bottom. They come in various sizes, and it’s a good idea to bring a selection for varying surf conditions. Some have wire anchors, although they can be troublesome. Egg sinkers and bucktail jigs work, too. A little bounce on the bottom stirs up the sand, attracting fish. In a calm surf, let your bait swim on a line unencumbered by a weight.

Hooks – Many swear by circle hooks because the set quickly, but the standard J-hook works best for me. You’ll need to pay closer attention to the J-hook, but that’s fishing, right?

Basic rigs – The basic rig for most saltwater fishing is called the Fishfinder, or sliding rig. Slip the tag end of your line through the eye of your sinker, then attach a swivel big enough to stop the slide. On the other end of the swivel, attach a 30-lb. leader with your hook. Add bait and go fishing.

Special rigs – The possibilities here are endless, but the one I use most is called a “pompano rig.” Don’t bother making one, just buy a ready-rig at your bait shop. They are available everywhere. The pompano rig has two or three sub-leaders, spaced and tied off on the main leader, with small circle hooks. Clip a pyramid sinker to a swivel at the bottom of the rig. Simple to use and effective in the surf, especially for pompano.

Lures and jigs – Jigs and lures can be very effective, especially when casting around schools of frenetic mullet and anchovies. Ask the purveyor of a bait shop near your destination for the right lures for that area. In general, a minnow bait that imitates anchovy or mullet is a good choice. Be sure you have a selection of jigs, as well. The jig of choice for surf fishing is the feathered bucktail jig tipped with a small piece of shrimp. This is also an effective lure for inshore waters, such as the Indian River Lagoon.

Nets – Not required, but a net could save the day. As you reel your catch to shore, fish bounce in the surf and get thrown off your hook. Walking out to meet the fish with your net gives you an edge.

Bait for surf fishing

Imitation. Jigs and lures can be very effective, especially when casting around schools of frenetic mullet and anchovies. Ask the purveyor of a bait shop near your destination for the right lures for that area.

Sand fleas – Not really a flea, but a tiny mole crab you can dig out of the sand at the surf line. Prime bait for the delectable pompano. Buy them at bait shops near the beach, or pick them out of the sand yourself. As the surf rolls back, watch for tiny v-shapes in the outward flow, followed by little bubbles. Those are antennae. Scoop the sand around the bubbles and dig them out. You can find sand rakes to help with the job, or use a garden trowel to scoop a ball of sand into a strainer.

Mullet — Best during the fall mullet run. Hook just in front of the tail or through the nose. If the surf is calm, let the mullet run free in mild currents. In rougher surf, you may want to use a sinker.

Shrimp – Live shrimp is best. Frozen shrimp tears apart in surf. With live shrimp, you need a bucket and an aerator to keep them alive for a day of fishing. The aerators run on batteries and attach to your bucket. Add seawater, drop the tube with an aerator head into the water to continually adding oxygen. Without an aerator, the shrimp won’t last long. You can buy an aerator for under $20. (Keep your bait bucket in shade.) When buying shrimp from a bait shop, make sure to select the frisky ones. If a shrimp dies in your bucket, remove it. Death is contagious to other shrimp.

Squid – Readily available frozen. Cut the body into thin strips and use one strip at a time on each hook or jig. I don’t have much luck with squid, but many folks do, so it’s worth considering, especially if no other bait is available. Besides, the sport is fishing, not catching.

The Florida Fishing Bible: Vic Dunaway’s “Complete Book of Baits, Rigs and Tackle” published by Florida Sportsman is a must-have guide for any angler, novice or pro. Buy it direct from Florida Sportsman for $17.99. 

We like local bait shops

Patronize a bait shop near the beach you want to fish. These guys know what’s biting and what kind of bait you should use, live, or imitation. Their advice is not infallible, but they know better than anybody except the guy who fishes that beach every day. The regulars frequently report back to their bait shop.

The bait shop clerks will also be happy to advise you on your tackle for fishing locally and the rigs you’ll need for best results. Bait shops are an invaluable resource.

Tips for beach fishing

Most beaches in Florida allow surf fishing, unless there are large crowds of swimmers. In some cases, restrictions limit hours for fishing. Usually, those permissible fishing hours are early morning and near dusk, which are the best times to fish anyway.

Beaches with restrictions will post the rules as you enter the beach. You don’t want to be near swimmers, anyway.

Wear water shoes or beach sandals to protect your feet from rocks, coral or shells below the surf. Bring a hat and good sunscreen.

Start early or late? Fish are rummaging for food as the light starts to come up, before dawn, so you want to be there to feed them your bait. Don’t despair if you arrive late, especially during the fall mullet run. Many anglers will argue there is better fishing as the day wears on.

Another popular time to fish is at dusk, when the water begins to cool and fish come off the bottom to hunt for food. Tide can also be a factor at any time of day.

Florida has more than 600 miles of beaches and 1300 miles of coastline

Check reef structure and tidal flow – If there are reefs or sandbars near shore, as there are on Hutchinson Island and Canaveral National Seashore, watch the ebb and flow of currents. Fish are often trapped in the trough between the beach and sandbars or a reef on an outgoing tide, but they flow out through gaps. You can see the outward flow on the surface, and it’s productive to position yourself to fish the outflow.

Keep an extra rod handy for the “boil” — I make it a habit to have one light- to a medium-weight spinning rod on standby, already rigged with an imitation minnow lure for the big event — the arrival of a school of baitfish. When the game fish are present, you’ll see hundreds of ripples at the surface as the minnows scramble to get away from predators. Grab that standby rod and cast around the outside edge of the ripples. You won’t have time to reel in your surf rod and cast at the target.

When you cast, don’t be afraid to get wet. Fishing the troughs near the beach may not require a long cast, but if you don’t have such a structure, you’ll need to cast as far as possible. That’s where a longer rod is a big plus. Wade into the surf as far as comfortable and take your time casting. A steady, progressively faster cast with a release at 1 o’clock will give you the most distance. It takes practice.

Catch and release – Decide ahead of time whether you plan to release your catch. My rule is that if I’m not going to eat it or use it for bait, the fish goes back to the sea. When you land the fish, pick it up carefully but firmly and remove the hook. Wet your hands first so that you don’t remove the slime that protects the fish, or use vinyl gloves. Once the hook is removed, carry it into the surf and gently release it in the water. DON’T THROW IT! Throwing the fish into the ocean is for amateurs. Watch out for barbs, teeth, and sharp fins. If the fish doesn’t move, give it a nudge so the water will flow through its gills.

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