Waves Loaded With Fish (Surf City: beach, oil, swimming)

[Bill Hitchcock]

Sorry I'm a few weeks late with this. But every year along the beaches of Carteret County (Known as the Crystal Coast) we have what is known as a , "Mullet Blow". Usually during the month of September when the winds shift from a Southerly direction to a Northerly direction fish called mullet swim out from the creeks and sounds, thru the inlets and congregate beach side.
Here is a lo rez picture of mullet in the breakers. The mullet in the waves were 3 and 4 sets deep.
Bill Hitchcock

[Ellise]

Great picture. I see the waves full of fish like that around here (Surf City), too. Back in August my husband & I went to the beach for an early morning swim and every wave that broke was full of fish; then we saw a large fish break the water. So then we were afraid to go in in case it was a shark...but just waited a while till the coast was clear before going in.

Most days that I've been at the beach since August I've seen the fish surfing.

[MrsSteel]

What a great photo! Thanks for sharing it, Bill.

[Bill Hitchcock]

Mullet are perfectly harmless-But it does get your attention when you pop up from swimming and see them all over the place!!
Another fish called menhaden travel in big, tight pods right along the shoreline during the same time period. It looks like an oil slick from water level.
Here's a little fishing tip from the surf. From now and for the next few months is the best time to surf fish along the coast of NC. Most people make the mistake of casting past the fish. Generally speaking-Right behind the first break is very productive.
Also-the area where rip currents form are VERY "fishy" too. But please be careful and do not get in the water when rip currents are present.
Bill