Florida Fishermen Land Monster Surmullet

A group of fishermen in Florida have reeled in what is being called a monster surmullet. The fish, which weighed in at over 19 pounds, is a type of mullet that is known for its large size.

"We were just throwing out our lines and trying to catch some bait when we saw this thing come up," said one of the fishermen, who asked not to be named. "It was easily the biggest surmullet I've ever seen."

The giant surmullet was caught near Crystal River, a town on Florida's Gulf Coast. While there have been bigger specimens caught elsewhere in the state, this one was among the largest ever caught near Crystal River.

The men who caught the fish quickly realized they had something special on their hands. They posed for pictures with their prize before releasing it back into the water.

For locals in Crystal River and the surrounding area, the giant surmullet is already becoming something of a legend. Some are already calling it "the fish that got away."

Surmullet Found in Record Numbers Off Carolina Coast

In what is being called a "once in a lifetime" event, fishermen are reeling in record numbers of surmullets off the Carolina coast.

The normally shy fish, which prefers to stay near the ocean floor, can be seen jumping out of the water by the hundreds.

"At first we thought it was just a bait ball," said fisherman Carlton Burkett. "But after we caught a few we realized it was a bunch of surmullets."

Fisherman say they have never seen anything like it and that the fish are so thick they can't even move through the water.

Some people are worried that there may be something wrong with the fish, but biologists say that's unlikely.

"This is definitely an unusual event, but it's not cause for alarm," said biologist Chuck Wilson. "These fish are probably just following their food source."

Wilson said the abundance of surmullets is likely due to an increase in jellyfish populations, which the fish feed on.

Whatever the reason, fisherman say they are enjoying the bounty.

"I've been fishing all my life and I've never seen anything like this," said Burkett. "It's been a real treat."

Anglers reaping rewards of big surf mullet season

Just as anglers were gearing up for a potentially epic fall fishing season, Hurricane Michael decided to show its muscle – and the results have been simply amazing.

In the Apalachicola Bay area, where Michael made landfall, waves have been crashing ontoshore at heights of 10-15 feet, and pushing big schools of mullet in with them. This has created a veritable feeding frenzy for redfish, trout, flounder and other species, and fishermen have been taking advantage.

According to veteran fisherman Capt. Butch Evans, "The bite has really turned on since the hurricane. We're catching fish on just about every cast. It's been incredible."

In addition to the usual suspects such as reds, trout and flounder, catches of Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish are also being reported. And it's not just the locals who are enjoying Mullet Season; visitors are coming in from as far away as Louisiana and Texas to take part in the action.

Bottom line: if you want to reel in some serious weight this fall, Apalachicola is the place to be!

Surf mullet run could mean big things for fishing industry

The annual surf mullet run is underway, and anglers are hoping for a good haul. Mullet are an important commercial and recreational fish, and their populations have been declining in recent years.

The surf mullet run typically starts in late summer or early fall, as the fish return from deep ocean waters to coastal rivers and bays to spawn. Anglers can target mullet with a variety of methods, including fly fishing, bait casting, and spinning.

Mullet can be caught in large numbers during the surf mullet run, and this year's run is expected to be especially good. The Fish and Wildlife Service is encouraging anglers to harvest as many mullet as possible, in order to help rebuild the population.

Commercial fishermen have been busy taking advantage of the surf mullet run, and the demand for mullet has pushed prices up significantly. Mullet are generally sold fresh or frozen, but they can also be canned or smoked.

The surf mullet run is a major event for the Florida fishing industry, and it's hoped that this year's run will help boost the economy. Anglers from all over the state are flocking to coastal areas in hopes of catching a big haul of these tasty fish.

Huge surf mullet caught off Florida coast

A giant surf mullet was caught off the coast of Florida last week. The fish, which weighed in at over 10 pounds, is a rarity for the area.

"I've been fishing here all my life and I've never seen anything like it," said one local fisherman.

The mullet was caught by accident while fishermen were targeting redfish. It is not clear why the fish was so large, but some speculate that it may be due to the unusually warm weather in the area.

Whatever the reason, the giant surf mullet is sure to provide a feast for many people in the local community.