Mullet Fish In So Cal – Surf Fishing Tips

striped mullet fish in so cal
Photo Credit: pierfishing.com

October is here, and along with it comes crisp coastal air, quieter beaches, and those wild schools of striped mullet putting on a show. If you’ve been out lately from Imperial Beach to Huntington, you’ve probably seen them – silver torpedoes slicing through waves, leaping clean out of the water. Late summer into fall is their time to shine down here, with water temps around 65-68°F sparking big schools.

But here’s the thing, while mullet fish in So Cal are everywhere, who’s actually landing them? I’ve been working the beaches for years, pulling perch, corbina, croaker, halibut, seabass etc. But mullet? Nope.

This month’s report dives into the striped mullet which is a species of fish in So Cal that has slipped under the radar for the majority of the surf fishing community. I was inspired to write this article after being inspired by a solid write-up from Pier Fishing in California (check it here).

Full disclosure: I’m no mullet master. This is all from digging through forums, old angler stories, and surf/bay reports. I’ have no personal wins yet, just a pile of curiosity and community buzz. ‘ve never caught a mullet in San Diego, but I’ve seen hundreds of them, if not thousands. My goal is to gather and spread enough info to figure out some sort of way to successfully target and catch mullet in San Diego and So Cal. Have you hooked mullet fish in So Cal? What worked? Drop your tips in the comments if you’re willing.

Spotting Mullet Fish in So Cal: Know Your Target

Many locals mistake them for baby yellowtail or jacks. They’re chunky fish with a torpedo-shaped body, broad flat head and two dorsal fins spaced far apart. They have faint black stripes on their silvery sides and an olive-green back with a tiny black spot at the upper pectoral base. Mullet fish in So Cal can reach lengths of 3 feet and 15 pounds, but local schools typically run 1-2 feet and a few pounds. They’re bottom-feeders, sucking up algae, detritus, and tiny critters from the muck, which makes surf fishing for mullet a challenge.

Those wild jumps? Pure spectacle, but they spook fast and school tight. Good news: they’re not just in the surf. Mullet love bays too. Estuaries and bay mouths pull them in strong from late spring through fall, peaking now (October) before they ease off as we enter November.

Where to Find Mullet in So Cal

Striped mullet in So Cal are said to flock to fresh-salt transitions, but I’ve seen them just about everywhere to be honest. I personally have seen them at literally every beach I’ve fished in San Diego so I don’t know if finding them is the issue. If anyone thinks they’ve got a hot spot, that would be appreciated if they care to share in the comments.

Surf Fishing Tips for Mullet Fish in So Cal

Mullet are veggie-lovers, not bait-biters, one recommendation is to chum 20-30 minutes to draw them in, then suspend bait 6 inches off the bottom. I’ve also heard of squid tentacles working. Others have reported seeing mullet hitting floating green weeds near the surface.

Suggested Setup (this is purely what I’ve read)

  • Rod/Reel: Light spinning rig, 7-9 ft, med-light for soft-mouth feel.
  • Line: 4-6 lb fluorocarbon leader (some anglers swear you need 2 lb).
  • Rig: I’ve heard sizes 8-12 hooks are preferred and some say a bobber is necessary as the best presentation is a couple inches off the bottom. Suggestions appreciated here.
  • Fly anglers, strip a small algae fly blind – this actually seems like the one species that fly fishermen might have more success catching than those with spinning gear.

Bait

Again, these are all just ideas I’ve heard…

  1. Dough Balls: Mix cooked oatmeal and cornmeal (1:1), knead with water or ghost shrimp oil/mussel juice. Form hook-sized nuggets, firm but bait-friendly.
  2. Moss/Algae: Grab opaleye moss from bait shops; swirl onto hooks. Thawed, squished peas work too.
  3. Bread Ball: Sand-mixed bread balls (Hawaii-style chum). Toss handfuls to train schools.
  4. Squid: Squid tentacles on #8 mosquito hooks landed some. Try wispy green flies for surface feeders.

Drift naturally into their path, avoid hard sets (lips tear easy), and land gently to keep schools calm.

Solve the Mullet Mystery Together

Striped mullet in So Cal are that quirky, head-scratching sight that keeps us curious – not the ultimate prize, but a fun fall puzzle when everything else seems to be slowing.

If you’ve got any stories or tips about fishing for mullet, please share them in the comments below.

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