What makes mullet jump out of the water

Nearly every predator that anglers target in this state feeds on them, and adults help keep the bottom and water clean by feeding on decaying leaves and algae. Fried and smoked mullet have also long been a cultural staple for Floridians. Make sure you check the menu for them, especially if you're in northwest Florida or in the southwest Everglades.

There are at least three species of this vitally important forage fish swimming in this great state's waters, and they may hybridize as well. These bright silver jumping fish Florida exhibit a variety of behaviors near, at and above the surface.

One of the fish's behaviors is easily explained. When pursued by predators, entire schools go vaulting across the surface at great speeds and at low angles almost parallel to the surface. You'll probably hear the commotion before you see it. But when it happens within casting range, throw a plug, large fly or soft-plastic bait quickly toward the back of the school and work the lure like a wounded fish.

You're likely to get crushed by one of a variety of species including jumbo trout, redfish, snook, jacks, tarpon and bluefish. Other times, mullet just sort of mill about the surface, often with their dorsal fins exposed. Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen than colder water, which usually resides at the bottom of the water column.

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Why do mullet jump? Share 0. Tweet 0. Check out a few answers I came across. Some are laughable, others could be true! Why do mullet jump out of the water? And no.

The dead giveaway is when you immediately catch fish in the area with mullet in their stomach. Fires burn, the sky is blue and mullet jump. You win again, you always do. Hoese et al Jumping mullet — the internal diving bell hypothesis.

Environmental Biology of Fishes 13, Do you have a question about the Bay that you would like to ask our naturalists?

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