The mullet run is officially underway, and things are already kicking off with some incredible action. We started by working the inlet last night, encountering a phenomenal scene: tons of mullet, tarpon exploding on the surface, and snook joining the feeding frenzy.
However, the bait eventually moved south, prompting us to head down the beach for about ten to twelve miles. Here, we’re encountering scattered schools of finger mullet (think one to twelve inches long) interspersed along the coastline.
And wouldn’t you know it, we stumbled upon a pod of tarpon absolutely feasting on these smaller mullets! It seems the fish are much more interested in this size bait compared to the larger ones.
To capitalize on this, we’ve found great success with the 5.5-inch Pro Tail Paddle. It perfectly imitates the finger mullet the tarpon are currently targeting. Interestingly, the larger baits haven’t been getting much attention.
The tarpon are actively lunging and attacking these smaller baits amidst the breaking swells. So far, we’ve hooked up a couple of fish this morning using these medium-sized paddle baits.
Here are some hot tips for targeting these mullet-focused tarpon:
- Downsize your leader: We’ve dropped our leader size to 50 pounds, experiencing more bites with the lighter setup in the slightly murky water.
- Medium-heavy spinning tackle: This setup allows for efficient work along the outer edges of the mullet schools.
- Target the edges or sight-cast: Don’t just throw your bait into the middle of the chaos. Rolling tarpon might be positioned on the outskirts, offering a better chance for your bait to be noticed.
- Slow and steady retrieve with a drop: Mimic a wounded or exhausted bait. We’ve had the most success with a stop-and-go retrieve, allowing the paddle tail to drop a few inches before continuing the slow pull.
- Focus on isolated fish: With all the bait activity, it can be hard for the tarpon to notice your offering. Look for individual fish cruising on the outside of the school for a better shot.
As you can see, the water is teeming with thousands of mullet, perfectly matching the size of our bait. We experimented with larger lures, but the medium size has been the clear winner!
