Last year we made a September trip out to do some surf fishing. We knew the mullet were thick and thought we would have a very good opportunity to fish around the schools of mullet as they made their way along the beach. We made a late afternoon run after work and were not disappointed with the amount of mullet working their way through the surf. Actually there were some of the largest schools that I have ever seen and we could see them coming from a long distance down the beach. As a few big schools made their way in front of we saw larger splashes in the middle of the schooling mullet. At first we were not sure exactly what we were seeing until they came closer and we realized that there were tarpon crashing the big schools of bait and each time they did, they sent mullet flying in all directions. Several of the tarpon cleared the water and would crash back down with an explosion of whitewater. This went on for about 30 minutes as school after school of mullet came by. We cast into the middle of the schools hoping to get a shot at a tarpon, but 4 oz. sinkers we were using to reach them seemed to take out bait out of the strike zone too quickly.
Each September lowcountry anglers look forward to the fall mullet run. These large concentrations of bait make a great target for anglers to fish around and will attract many different types of fish. You may see tarpon or you may hook into some large redfish, many different types of sharks and king mackerel. Finding these schools of bait is not difficult if you know what you are looking for. Most of the time you will see them jumping as they make their way along the beaches and inlets. With the larger schools you will see a distinct pattern in the water as they swim along the surface. Fishing around the perimeter of the schools will normally produce some good fish and keep the school in front of you. Many times your bait or lure will mimic a bait that has broken away from the school and presents an easy target for a hungry predator.
Some methods for fishin