It's mullet time on NC coast

This is the time to enjoy Carolina’s “jumpin’ mullet,” a fish that while immature feeds on plankton and as adult evolves as a bottom grazing vegetarian.

American natives relied on the mullet, and it became favored by both the natives and the settlers as a basic provision as winter approached. Many of Carolina’s coastal communities and natives honor this fish with fall celebrations.

Along the coast after nightfall you may see the dancing flames of an oak fire between a low stack of concrete blocks illuminate the surrounding trees. That will be another of Carolina’s jumping mullet celebration getting underway, a feast fit for the masses and for monarchs.

This story was originally published October 17, 2015 at 2:18 PM with the headline "It's mullet time on NC coast."