Every fall, millions of mullet push south along Florida’s Gulf coast, and for a few weeks the fishing around Tampa Bay turns into something anglers plan their whole year around. If you have only ever fished the bay in summer, the mullet run is a different trip entirely. The bait is thick enough to see from a hundred yards off, and everything in the water is feeding on it.
We have been running Tampa Bay fishing charters since 1994, and this is the stretch we look forward to most.
What the mullet run actually is
Starting in late summer and building through the fall, schools of mullet leave the backwaters and move along the beaches and through the passes. They travel in dense, dark bands near the surface. Every predator in the bay knows the schedule better than we do, so the bait pulls snook, redfish, tarpon, jacks and kingfish in behind it.
For an angler, the appeal is simple: instead of hunting for fish, you are fishing a spot where the fish have already gathered. Action is fast and the strikes are aggressive.
What we are targeting right now
Snook
Fall snook fishing around the passes and beaches is as good as it gets. They stack up along the bait and hit hard.
Redfish
Redfish school up in the fall and push onto the flats and around structure. Sight casting to a school of reds in clear water is one of the best things you will do on a boat.
Kingfish
Nearshore, the kings follow the same bait pods. They are fast, they run, and they are a favorite for anglers who want a fight on light tackle.
Tarpon
The tail end of the tarpon season overlaps the early mullet run, and there are still fish to be found for anglers who want a shot at one.
Jacks, mackerel and more
Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and bluefish all pile into the bait. On a good morning you may not know what is on the end of the line until you see it.
Inshore or nearshore?
Both work during the run, and which one we choose depends on what you want out of the day.
Inshore trips stay in the bay and around the flats, passes and structure. This is the better option for families, for anglers who want steady action, and for anyone who would rather not deal with a chop.
Nearshore trips run just off the beaches where the bait pods and the kingfish are. Slightly bigger water, slightly bigger fish.
Not sure which one suits your group? Tell us who is coming and what you are hoping for and we will point you the right way.
When to come
The run builds through September, peaks somewhere in October, and tails off through November depending on the weather. Cold fronts move the bait, so the fishing shifts week to week. That is part of why a guided trip pays for itself this time of year: we are on the water constantly and we know where the bait moved to after the last front.
October weekends are the first dates to go. If you are planning around a specific week, book early.
What is included
Every charter covers fishing for up to 4 anglers, with a maximum of 6 passengers. Fishing licenses, premium rods, reels, bait and tackle, bottled water and ice are all included, and we clean and prep your catch at the end of the trip so you can take it home ready to cook.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, a UPF shirt, and whatever food and drinks you want for the day. No glass bottles. More detail on all of this is on our fishing charter FAQ page.
Book your fall trip
The mullet run is a short window and it is the busiest stretch of our year. If you want a fall date on the water in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg or Clearwater, get in touch and we will find one that works.
