Spring Time Mullets

Article by: Capt. Charlie Schoonmaker

There is a no better eating fish than the Virginia Mullet or “Whiting” as it is known here in South Eastern N C (SENCLand), and this ole’ Mullet provides a lot of sport to our surf, bank, and boat fisherman too! When they’re biting, they can be caught by the hundreds and provide a great deal of entertainment for young and old alike. Put in hot grease, baked, or fish boil chunked they can sooth the pallets of many a discerning mouth when accompanied by some hush puppies, cole slaw, and seafood seasoning sauce! A thick well muscled stout fish, these Mullets have started many a fishing career for a youngster and the larger ones can bend a rod with a nice pull and fight!

Light tackle is best used to catch these great fish… a 6 to 7 foot medium to medium light action rod with a matched reel carrying 12 to 15 pound test line fitted with a “Greedy” rig or standard two hook bottom rig (“Chicken Rig” in the Carolina Beach area), an ounce or so sinker to carry your rig to the bottom completes your outfit. Many like to use a No. 2 hook long shank hook as it is easier to remove from the Mullet’s mouth but you can go as small as a 4 or 6 hook. Fresh shrimp is the best bait, but squid and blood worms are a favorite bait also, and in the surf sand fleas are excellent also! If you can find the “yellow bellied fleas” (which are the female fleas eggs), they work the best. You can get as fancy as you wish with your gear and add all the bells and whistles but you can also let a youngster use his “Snoopy” push button outfit too! Just make sure your bait is fresh and your hooks are sharp. Now let’s find the mullets…..

In surf fishing for Mullets one wants to find the tidal areas where there are “holes” or “depressions” in the surf. These holes provide cover for the fish and an excellent feeding ground. Casting long and short will help you find the whereabouts of the fish as their feeding sites can change rapidly as the tide rises or falls. Keep searching different depths and distances from shore till you locate the schools of fish! Try switching baits also to improve your chances, you just never know! Since we are fishing in the rolling surf, you may need to use a heavier Pyramid style sinker to hold the bottom better and the weight will be determined by the roll of the ocean…use enough weight to hold the bottom but you don’t want to use so much weight that the weight buries itself in the sand either. There is a happy median….

If fishing from a pier, remember Mullets are a rough water feeder generally….fish the white water or just behind this white water to start, then work your way out…. many a fine fish has been caught right in the shallow suds of the wave action closest to the beach. You can move out further and deeper on the pier if needed, but start your efforts fishing close to the beach at first.

If fishing from a boat one of the premier spots in SENCland is the Lower end of the Cape Fear River near the Bald Head Island area. If your boat carries a depth finder you will want to follow the main river channel from Southport towards Bald Head Island and when you are center of the River looking south to the ocean, find the northern shoal or edge where the river channel rises to 20 to 15 feet in depth. Just look for all the other boats too! Usually there are a few boats, but don’t be surprised to see up to 20 anchored boats all fishing the bottom if the Mullet fishing is hot. Just anchor up accordingly and use enough lead weight to hold the bottom comfortably and “hang on!” This is a great area for a youngster to use his “Snoopy” rod as he can just let his weight and rig fall straight down next to the boat… no casting necessary. Just watch the current and make sure all slack is out of everyone’s line while the lead hugs the bottom so they can successfully feel the Mullet’s bite. Sometimes you get lucky and you will not have to move from your first spot….Know that you may have a “hot spot” for a while, but if the bite ceases, raise your anchor and try another spot. And try different depths also…the current may increase in speed and “fly” your weight off the bottom so you may be forced to move. This is all part of the hunt. Just be sure to practice good sportsmanship by giving your neighboring boat adequate room for his fishing adventure… you do not have to “fall in” right on top of the boat next door.

After your successful day, these fish can be scaled and gutted, filleted, or chunked or staked to cook. A hardy robust meat it is a healthy meal also broiled, fried, stewed or baked. Versatile is the word to describe this great sport fish, so get your gear ready and have a great day on the water, beach, or pier!

Tight lines to all and take a kid fishing…..We need more Tackle Boxes and fewer X-Boxes!

About the Author: Captain Charlie Schoonmaker grew up on the waters of North Carolina which has given him experience in all water sports from freshwater canoeing to deep sea “bluewater” fishing. Having seen all aspects of the ocean world Capt. Charlie can appreciate all the fishing and water communities. Capt. Charlie has over 50 years of local knowledge and experience fishing the Beautiful Southeastern Coast of North Carolina (SENCland). He continues operating his charter fishing business “Back Bay Fishing Charters” and his new family oriented excursions “Capt. Charlie’s Adventures” in Carolina Beach, N C. Ready to fish, Call: 910-262-3474