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

We have so many fun things going on at Capt Hiram's this October, November and December and a lot of "Firsts".  October 6th is our First Annual Capt Hiram's Beerfest - bringing you great Beer, Beer Games and great music.  Then there is our epic Halloween Bash where we will take you back to the 80's with Metalucious - these guys put on one heck of a show so put on your 80's best and come out for our Halloween Cosutume contest with cash and prizes worth $1000.

Next is another first - Capt Hiram's First Annual Pirate Fest, November 1-4.  Unleash that inner pirate and join in all the fun activities going on that weekend.  We have a real pirate ship, sword fights, black powder cannon demo and so much more.

We are also working on a two day event to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project - details are in the planning stage but it will be a great weekend for an even better cause.  And that brings us up to the holidays and a bevy of great holiday parties at Capt Hiram's.  Where are you having yours? There's still time to join the fun here; we just love a good party.  Speaking of great parties, Hypersona will be rocking us into 2013 - what better way to celebrate the new year.

Here is the September Fishing Report for Sebastian, brought to us by Capt Gus Brugger:

As of August the Indian River Lagoon is still devoid of sea grass beds in the Sebastian area. Without this keystone lagoon habitat, some questions are sure to be on the minds of inshore anglers; will the masses of finger mullet that make up the annually anticipated “Mullet Run” find their way into the lagoon without the cover and food provided by the grass beds?; will the late summer mullet run alone be enough to draw migrating gamefish into the relatively desolate lagoon?; will the resident populations of trout and redfish suddenly swim out from wherever they’ve been hiding and begin to feed ravenously on anything approximating the size and color of a finger mullet?

My answer is yes, with limitations. We will see an increase in the types and numbers of gamefish in the lagoon and trout and redfish will magically appear to terrorize the schools of finger mullet.  The extent to which this will happen will be helped by late summer rains that will raise water levels and moderate the temperatures of the backwater bays that provide a good secondary habitat, in lieu of rooted sea grass, for the mullet and their predators. I believe we will see a repeat of last winter and spring, where the large open water flats most anglers are accustomed to drift fishing will not hold predators or prey without the protection of the sea grass. Trout, reds and snook will have to seek ambush spots further up in the mangrove lined bays and coves, where they themselves are less likely to become prey for dolphins, ospreys and anglers without flats boats and trolling motors.  

Sebastian Inlet will be the big focus of Sebastian area anglers with the start of snook season September 1^st. Cold water upwelling along the Treasure and space Coasts has made catch and release snook fishing unproductive this summer, but those willing to snorkel the 68 degree waters of the Sebastian Inlet on August incoming tides report that the numbers and size of the snook are impressive. The upwelling cold waters have never lasted into September in my recollection, but until the summer weather pattern is broken the possibility exists. I am hopeful that bunches of big redfish will follow the mullet down the beaches and take up residence in the inlet through the fall. Spanish mackerel, jacks, bluefish and tarpon also give inlet fishermen a passing shot at them as they follow the bait down the beach in the early Fall. The Sebastian River will spark back to life as the finger mullet enter the estuary. Snook and tarpon are both available throughout the river in September and finger mullet or something resembling them is sure to draw strikes.

I have always enjoyed fishing the late summer season in Sebastian. The swiftness of the changes can be reminiscent of how quickly life appears with the coming of spring in the northern climes. A tropical storm in September or a cold front in early October and viola you’re fishing what seems to be a whole new place. The Indian River Lagoon is one of the most delicate ecosystems in the U.S. and the pleasures gained by living near it’s shores will be short lived if we take it for granted.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Gus Brugger 772-589-0008

For more Sebastian Area fishing info or to book a charter with Capt. Gus check out the frequently updated videos on my website homepage at www.sebastianfishingguides.com