On the Jersey Shore summer winds down, tourists leave and the days get shorter. Tropical ground swells hit the beaches with the peak of Hurricane Season. The Bermuda High gives way to lower pressure, Nor’easters and westerlies. The weather and water cool and the Fall Season tees off!

This is the September/October transition on the Jersey Shore and smack-dab in the middle of it all… The Mullet Run!

The Jersey Shore Mullet Run

The Mullet Run is a very special time on the Central Jersey Shore because it marks the real transition from summer fishing to fall fishing. It jump starts the fall season and brings life to the waters.

During this time the bays, inlet and surf are all productive. Casting distance isn’t of the utmost importance because mullet hang in tight to the shoreline. When mullet make the move out they are commonly found cruising inside the outer bar, along the lip of the beach, in the wash, in the waves and also tight to jetties and pockets. Look for their subtle v-wave signs to help reveal their presence. Also diving pelicans are blatantly obvious.

While some could debate until blue in the face, these are the Fish Head Top Five Picks for all weather conditions…

5 Best Jersey Shore Mullet Run Lures

Little Neck aka Polaris Popper

Super Strike Little Neck Popper and Gibbs Polaris Popper are some of the most popular top water surf fishing lures ever made. Well known for their productivity in a variety of conditions from calm to windy, chop to big water swell. These lures can be fished with a slow crawl and an intermittent twitch, pop retrieve. The Stillwater Smack-It Popper and the Storm Chug Bug Poppers can also be grouped into this category. But they have unique and different rattles. The Smack-It has a low pitch rattle and Chug Bugs have a high pitch rattle, both of which attract striped bass from long distances. Another awesome popper is the Yo-Zuri Hydro Popper.

Rubber Swim Shad

Whether fishing Tsunami’s Holographic Swim Baits or Storm’s Wild Eye Swim Shad you’ll catch if game fish are present. These life-like baits are about as close to live bait as a lure angler can get. Fish them slow and low and be ready for a strike. The No Live Bait Needed 5″ Swimbaits is a phenomenal bait that is a stand out producer. Also the classic Gotcha Rubber Sassy Shad rigged on a Kalin’s Swim Bait Jig Head is also a great option. We suggest 4 and 5″swim baits. Pro Tip: When fishing softbaits always carry a bottle of Zap-A-Gap (Green/Medium) to make emergency repairs if and when a bait gets ripped.

Bucktails

The most productive and widely used fishing lure in the world doesn’t need an introduction or a suggestion. If you are fishing the surf and not carrying a bucktail you are no question missing out. We love to fish the Magic Tail Bucktail because they are with top quality Mustad hooks and tied right with the perfect amount of hair. The right weight depends on the conditions, usually 3/4-2oz covers most bases. Don’t forget to tip the jig off with a trailer like a Gotcha Curly Tail or Fat Cow Jig Strip.

Top Water Spook/Pencil

The Heddon Super Spook, Tsunami’s Talking Popper and Yo-Zuri’s Hydro Pencil are all floating top water lures that come alive with a little action from the rod tip. With a walk the dog approach fish pile on with exhilarating top water strikes!

Floating Swimmer / Wake Bait / Jerkbaits

Last on the list but definitely not least in terms of significance… From plastic to wood there are so many options in the swimmer category. The classic Cordell Redfin is a floating plastic “wake bait” swimming plugs that shines in the Jersey Shore surf during the mullet run. It’s ability to slow swim on the surface with a picturesque mullet like v-wake is unmatched. One of the only other top water swimming that some call “wake baits” is the classic metal lip swimmer. A Gibbs Danny Metal Lip Surface Swimmer’s slow craw sass is irresistible to game fish in the surf hanging right on the edge of a jetty, rip line or the lip of the beach.

The Bomber Windcheater is a short and chubby mullet like profile lure that works wonders on the surf and jetty. It’s ability to swim and hold even with a high line angle is unlike most and makes it a must have in some scenarios.

Other Honorable Mentions:

The Daiwa SP Minnow (a must have in any and all lure boxes/bags) and the Yozuri Mag Darter… both productive and super universal fishing great in all condition.