Winds were strong through most of October with a lot of rain and rough seas and beaches. The mullet run was slower than normal for the 5th straight year and what mullet we did have was a bit late. That said, the fishing was decent through October inshore and should stay good through November in the Indian River Lagoon and on the nearshore beaches from Melbourne to Sebastian Inlet.
Sebastian inlet fishing from the boat, the fishing outside the jetty should be hot for much of November as long as the bait is consistent and we don’t get too many cold fronts. Plenty of Snook, Redfish, Jacks as well as a few Tarpon and Sharks should be hitting live baits during the day and eating lures at night. Anglers at Sebastian Inlet will still be able to fish the rocks west of the Jetty as well as the catwalks and west of the catwalks along the rocks. Bucktails, Rapala XRaps and ABOA Dart Spin should give anglers throwing artificials plenty of action.
Novemeber is also the time anglers start catching the big Flounder in the Inlet west of the bridge as well as in the Lagoon although the bite has been slow the last few years with the lack of a mullet run and over fishing. New regulations for flounder may go into effect in December or early 2021 but for now there is still the 12” minimum but I would suggest to not keep a flounder that is under 16” for two reasons. There is very little meat on a 12” Flounder and it will give the species a little more time to rebound by releasing the smaller fish. Live bait anglers looking for big Flounder in the inlet will have the best success with live finger mullet and mud minnows soaked on the bottom. I prefer to jig ½ ounce or ¾ ounce jigs with DOA paddletails or 4” jerkbaits on the bottom using either pro cure or strips of mullet or pinfish as an attractant. We catch a lot of flounder jigging but not as many bigger fish with that technique. I also like to fish the mangrove shorelines with DOA Cal jigs or 4” jerkbaits rigged on VMC ¼ ounce jigheads.
We will also start catching Pompano in November in the inlet as well as along the flats from Grant down to Sebastian. Goofy jigs, Lil Jon or Storm jerkbaits will work well when targeting Pompano and we even will get some on hard baits as well.
Capt. Glyn Austin
Going Coastal Charters
www.goingcoastalcharters.com
321-863-8085