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

The Sebastian Area Inshore Fishing Forecast – May 2012

The warm winter enjoyed by Sebastian area residents and visitors has, and will continue to bump the fishing calendar up a month or so. I am considering this a blessing because the grass beds have not, as of mid-April, shown any sign of recovery. The trout and reds that call the grass home in the latter part of the spring are very scattered and spooky making them tough targets. Hence, we will have to seek alternative methods and species to keep the rods bent this month.  With the fishing ahead of schedule due to the warm weather, the alternatives are plentiful.

The tarpon bite in the Sebastian River has been better than average because of high water temps in the early spring. This will only get better as migratory fish move in for the summer. My favorite artificial lures include D.O.A. Terror-eyz and Mirro-lure catch 2000Jr... Mullet and freshwater shiners are good natural baits for Sebastian River tarpon.   Fly fishermen will also score regularly on silver kings to 40 pounds. Snook numbers have started to increase in the Sebastian area and many of them will be found in the Sebastian River. D.O.A. shrimp along shoreline cover and docks is a great method anytime, but big plugs and live mullet are preferred after dark. Don’t swim in the Sebastian River it is full of bull sharks.

Stealth, persistence and finesse will increase your odds in the Indian River Lagoon. Gator trout and redfish of all sizes are available in the lagoon, but the window of opportunity and margins of error have been shrunk due to the lack of grass beds. Light line, long casts, small lures and a silent approach will help anglers score in the lagoon.

I begin to focus on the ocean in late May. This year most of the species I pursue along the beaches in the summer are already available in April. King Mackerel, Cobia, Spanish, Little Tunny, Jacks, Sharks and Tarpon have already made appearances in April and should be thick outside Sebastian Inlet in May. I always have a variety of lures and live baits ready when I cruise the ocean looking for action. Gotcha lures are great for Spanish, blues and little tunny, as is the D.O.A. Terror-eyz.  The Catch 2000 Mirro-lure also catches little tunny as well as cobia, Spanish, jacks and tarpon. Large diving plugs can be cast or trolled for kings, when live threadfins are hard to come by. Live threadfins slow trolled over bottom structure and around bait pods will draw strikes from any and all of the above mentioned species.

May is the new June. The weather is hot, but the fishing will be hotter.

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