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

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