Variety is what makes April a great month to fish in the Sebastian Area. The inshore and near-shore waters 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.
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.
FORECAST BY: Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters
Phone: (772) 589-0008
Email: patternsetter@comcast.net
www.sebastianfishingguides.com