Usually, February with its low water temperatures and brisk winds can be a daunting time for inshore anglers in the Sebastian Area. The New Year has so far blessed us with mild temperatures and near calm winds. Will it last? Your guess is as good as mine. Whatever the weather, February has always been a solid inshore month and after a number of outstanding catches in the last few years I have moved it to the top of my list of inshore fishing months in the Sebastian Area.
The top two fish that I pursue in February are seatrout and redfish. A couple of factors will determine where and how to catch both, temperature and water level. First, let us talk redfish because the rules are simple. Regardless of temperature or water clarity, you need to find a flat or mangrove shoreline with enough water to float your boat or a hard enough bottom for you to wade. Then drift, pole or trolling motor very quietly throwing a weedless gold spoon, 4-inch D.O.A. Cal jerk- bait or tipped skimmer jig and cover as much area as possible. If the water is gin clear you can sight fish along the mangrove shorelines and pitch live shrimp, D.O.A. shrimp or flies to reds hanging around the pockets and points formed by the mangrove roots.
As for trout fishing, we have to divide trout into two categories, over 18” and under18”. There are some overlaps on occasion, though overwhelmingly in February the two are found in different locals. Smaller trout are generally found in deeper open water areas usually relating specifically to a drop-off. Spoil island banks, sandbars, edges of flats, natural and manmade channels, and deeper water grass beds around the inlet are good places to work a jig, D.O.A. shrimp, small diving plug or live shrimp to stay busy with small to keeper size trout. Bigger trout will be on the flats sunning themselves and ambushing the larger baits they prefer on all but the coldest days. Anglers sight- fishing for reds are often amazed by how many 5+ pound trout they see sitting in inches of crystal clear water. Unfortunately, there is very little you can do to catch these gators when you find them. One out of a hundred may take a live shrimp or properly placed artificial if you see them before they see you. I take note of areas where I see numbers of these big trout and come back another day when I have some wind or cloud cover and wade fish the area or anchor the boat upwind and hope with some help from wind and current I can float a live shrimp through the area. D.O.A. Shrimp, Mirro-lure catch 2000 Jr.’s, Small top-water plugs and handpicked shrimp on a short leader below a small float will take these bigger fish. Be quiet, stay low and cast long. Investing in a pair of waders can pay great dividends this time of year. Wade fishing spoil islands, flats edges and sunny shorelines with live shrimp, flies and artificially can lead to some of the best catches of the year. Use the wind and current to make long casts and natural drifts to get into gator trout and reds.
Capt. Gus Brugger
www.sebastianfishingguides.com
772-589-0008 Capt. Gus Brugger is a full time inshore fishing guide with over 20 years of charter fishing experience in the Sebastian area. He and his 18’ and 21’ Maverick flats skiffs are available for hire by one to Four anglers with reservations. Captain Hiram’s Resort is home base for Pattern Setter Charters and is a perfect get away for serious anglers or family fun. Give Gus a call today and book a trip to east central Florida’s finest fishing destination.
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