THE SEBASTIAN AREA INSHORE FISHING FORECAST – JUNE 2013

Summer brings several things that improve the fishing in the central lagoon area, some of which include stable weather, light winds and increased variety and numbers of baitfish. The light winds open new territory to small boat anglers (i.e. the ocean). This allows anglers a chance to pursue species that are out of their reach the rest of the year, as well as having better conditions to fish the inshore waters. Being able to get outside the inlet is going to be more important this summer than in those of the recent past. The grass beds of the Indian River Lagoon are still showing little sign of recovery and until they do the flats fishing will remain tough.  There is no quick fix, but we can help speed nature along by taking it easy with the fertilizer (especially waterfront residents), and making sure our septic systems are functioning properly.  There is plenty of fishing available in the Sebastian area if you know what to look for. Here is what I intend to do this summer.

Near shore Atlantic – I personally look forward to getting outside in the summer. The techniques are simple and the fish average larger than the biggest inshore specimens I catch the rest of the year. The summer time near-shore fishery is our best chance of the year to catch fish weighing out in the double and sometime triple digits. Large migrating tarpon, smoker kings, hard fighting little tunny, toothy barracuda, brawling cobia, colorful dolphin, and even sailfish are possible within small boat range of the inlet. The methods I most often imply include; slow trolling live greenies and mullet, trolling large plugs, casting baits and lures to breaking and cruising fish and bottom fishing the shallow reefs. The near shore fishing is a great option for family groups and can be productive regardless of an angler’s skill level.

Sebastian River – The top of the list in the Sebastian River in early summer is tarpon. There are tarpon throughout the Sebastian River, but the larger fish seem to frequent the entire north fork and the lower south fork.  Flies, Mirro-Lure catch 2000 junior plugs, D.O.A. shrimp and Terror-Eyz are all good artificial for both snook and tarpon. Small to medium sized mullet are the best choice for live bait. There has been an increase in the snook population over the last year as large snook find their way back to the productive waters of the Sebastian area after the killer freezes of 2010. Most of these snook are slot size or larger so they are tough to get to bite and even tougher to wrestle to the boat.  Catch and release snook fishing may be the best option for die hard inshore anglers.  

Sebastian Inlet – This is the time to take advantage of the inlet. The tips of the jetties have always been the best spots this time of year, the north jetty on the outgoing tide, and the south on the incoming. Live bait is the only way to go during the day; croakers, pigfish, and shrimp are the best choices. Get them down using anything from a split-shot to a 2 oz. egg sinker and you have as good a chance at catching a picture worthy snook or redfish as any place in the world. I expect to see 20-40 lb. redfish move into the inlet this summer like they did the last few years.

Indian River Lagoon – Early morning provides the best chance at trout and reds on the many flats of the central lagoon. Top-water plugs are the best bet, with D.O.A. jerkbaits, live mullet and pigfish being good choices as well. Look for rolling tarpon and bull sharks in some of the open basins of the lagoon this month. Try floating a live ladyfish on stout gear with wire leader for the bull sharks and cast Mirro-lures, flies, D.O.A Bait-Busters and live mullet at rolling tarpon. Typically, snook of all sizes will be laid up tight to cover getting out of the sun during the day. Twenty pound Fins wind-tamer braid combined with D.O.A. shrimp or a jerk-bait will do the trick on stubborn snook.

For more Sebastian Area fishing info check out the frequently updated videos on my website homepage at www.sebastianfishingguides.com

Tight Lines,

Capt. Gus Brugger

www.sebastianfishingguides.com

772-589-0008

Variety is what makes April a great month to fish in the Sebastian Area. The inshore and near-shore waters of the Sebastian Area are a hot bed of fish activity as water temperatures and day lengths increase. From the headwaters of the Sebastian River to the Gulf Stream, anglers will find fish species eager to entertain them. The month of April has added significance this year; it will be the month we find out if the grass beds will come back or not. With the clear water we have had in the lagoon this winter some grasses should begin to appear if viable seeds are present. These sprouts will be sparse at first but as the plant develops and sends out runners coverage will increase.  If this re-colonization of grass beds begins to happen we can likely breathe a sigh of relief. If we see no sprouting, we are in for a long road to recovery. Either way, April will bring better fishing than we have had in recent months, so take advantage of it. I’ll describe some of the fun and productive options I pursue with my charters in the Sebastian Area in April, and maybe I’ll see you out there before months end.

Sebastian River – A sportsman’s paradise. This is where you come to soak in nature’s beauty and have the opportunity to hook into some of the largest gamefish Sebastian has to offer. Snook, Tarpon and big bull sharks are the quarry and artificial lures and bait will both do the job, sometimes. The fish of the Sebastian River can be fickle and at times down right stubborn, but if you are patient and put forth a good effort the rewards of fishing in this beautiful place can be extraordinary. D.O.A. shrimp, Mirro-Lures and live mullet are a step in the right direction.

Indian River Lagoon – Variety is the spice of life. The lagoon is why I can advertise “Guaranteed Catch”. April’s list of available species is the most extensive of the year.  The techniques used to catch just about all the species can be as simple as bait and a float or bouncing a D.O.A. jig. These techniques are so universal that you never know what’s on the end of the line until it’s at the boat. April is family vacation time and the fishing in the Indian River Lagoon is tailored perfectly to anglers of all ages and skill levels. April is also the most likely month for seasoned anglers to catch a Sebastian Slam, trout, redfish, snook and tarpon.

Sebastian Inlet – During the day I target the schools of sizable Jack Crevalle that station themselves in the inlet’s swift current looking for a meal to float by. Live pinfish are the best bait most days. I also have consistent success with big D.O.A.  Terror-eyz and baitbusters rigged with heavy jig heads.  At night things get serious as snook and redfish get active. Anglers in boats prefer drifting live baits, while shore-bound fishermen throw bucktail jigs, soft plastics and diving plugs. Sebastian Inlet is no kiddy pool; it deserves its reputation as one of Florida’s most dangerous inlets. “Local knowledge necessary to safely navigate this inlet” just like the sign on the bridge says.

Near-shore Atlantic - The weather will dictate when to poke out the inlet.  If you can get out, anything can be feeding along the beaches. Light tackle or heavy there can be something for everyone. The waters within a couple miles of the beach can boil with schools of Spanish mackerel, and bluefish making their way north for the summer. Big Tarpon, cobia, king mackerel and sharks are often close by. Jigs and spoons catch the Spanish and blues, while live baits, plugs and swim-baits get the attention of the larger predators.

 For more Sebastian Area fishing info check out the frequently updated videos on my website homepage at www.sebastianfishingguides.com 

Tight Lines,

Capt. Gus Brugger

(772) 589-0008

December is usually the start of the winter fishing season in the Sebastian area. As the water temperatures begin spending more time below 70 degrees than above it the glamour species such as snook and tarpon become incidental catches on warm days. Trout and redfish are once again the mainstay of inshore anglers and some of the seasonal species approach the peak of their availability. For the next few months light tackle is all you need to fish the Sebastian area and it is also a great time to bring the kids for plenty of action.

Sebastian River – The Sebastian River plays a number of roles during the winter season. To me its main role this time of year is that of a sanctuary from the sometimes lack luster winter weather. I can slip into the river and have every cast action on jacks and ladyfish when most other anglers decide to stay home and wait for the wind to lie down and temperatures to return to Florida levels. This is great fun for family groups and jigs or live shrimp are all you need. Trout, bluefish, pompano and even a resident snook or tarpon can surprise anglers jigging the deeper areas of the north fork. Trout and reds seek shelter in the river during cold spells and can be targeted in the lower river with plugs, jigs, and live bait. Anglers looking for that last snook or tarpon of the season will find the Sebastian River the right place in December. The key is to fish the nice days when water temps get into the seventies.

Indian River Lagoon – Redfish get top billing in the lagoon in December. This is not only because the reds are very available in December, but also because as lagoon waters cool they also become clear and allow for some of the best sight fishing opportunities of the year. Flyfishermen and light tackle anglers can stalk along mangrove shorelines and get shot after shot at individual reds as well as pods of up to a dozen fish. Delicate presentation is more important than fly pattern or lure or bait choice. Seatrout fishing remains solid in December with the larger fish still preferring shallow waters and the schoolie trout beginning to group up around the edges of the flats and drop-offs of the spoil islands. The action fishing that I look forward to this time of year can also be found in these areas as well as over deeper flats. Working D.O.A. cal jigs in these deeper areas is a great way to tighten a line. Trout, weakfish, pompano, bluefish, jacks, ladyfish, flounder, snappers, juvenile grouper, Spanish mackerel, and whatever else decides to swim in Sebastian Inlet to enjoy the bounty of the lagoon will hit jigs, plugs and live shrimp.

Sebastian Inlet – Flounder take center stage at Sebastian Inlet from Thanksgiving on. Gulf flounder A.K.A. three spot flounder, are leaving the inlet in December, but the larger southern flounder are just beginning their run. Land-bound and boating anglers both find soaking live finger mullet on areas of broken rocky/sandy bottom is the best way to put a doormat in the cooler. Flatties up to 15 pounds are an annual catch at Sebastian.  Snook season will close December fifteenth and depending on ocean water temps legal fish can be caught right up to the deadline. Giant reds invade the inlet in December. I’m not talking about the normal 12 to 20 pounders that can be caught year round; I’m talking about 30 and 40+ pound fish that I believe may come down from the Carolinas with the December cold snaps. Big live baits do the trick around tide changes.

 Nearshore Atlantic – The beaches all along the treasure coast begin to fill up with snowbird surf fishermen in December, and for good reason. Schools of pompano cruise the troughs and sandbars along the coast hunting down sand fleas, crabs, clams, and glass minnows. Pompano, my favorite eating fish, is also an excellent gamefish. Ten plus foot surf rods with three hook pompano rigs is the standard technique for both pompano and the tasty whiting that share the surf with them. Live sand fleas are top bait followed by cut clams and pieces of fresh shrimp. Blues and Spanish macks will also keep surf fishermen and boaters busy along the coast in December. Cut bait, spoons, jigs and gotcha plugs are all good choices for these toothy gamesters.  

The Holidays are time for family and Sebastian is a family friendly fishing destination in December, so give me a call and take the short ride to a great family experience this holiday season. Gift Certificates Available for the fishermen in the family.

Happy Holidays and Tight Lines,

Capt. Gus Brugger

772-589-0008

www.sebastianfishingguides.com