October is historically the top all-around month to fish the central Indian River Lagoon area. Water temperatures drop back into the optimum range for most of the resident and migratory fish species. The air temperature begins to cool into the preferred range for anglers as well. Baitfish numbers are at a peak and the predators are usually close by. High water levels are also a positive aspect of the early fall season. The high water allows anglers and fish to reach backwater areas that in some cases have been inaccessible the rest of the year. October not only offers the best all around fishing opportunities of the year in the Sebastian area, but crowds are non-existent, on and off the water, making for a stress free and less expensive get-away.
The absence of sea grass in the central Indian River Lagoon has made inshore fishing a daunting task this summer. Redfish and sea trout rely heavily on the grass beds for food and shelter most of the year, but especially so in the summer when backwater areas get too warm and oxygen poor. The coming of fall with its cooler temperatures and higher water levels will again allow baitfish and predators to utilize these secondary habitats in lieu of the grass beds which we can only hope re-grow in the spring of 2013. This fall will be telling of what we can expect of the fishing in the Sebastian area for the foreseeable future.
The good news is that we had good numbers of large trout and small reds last winter and spring without the grass. We should see that again if the lack of grass is the only limiting factor. Sebastian Inlet has been producing slot and oversized redfish and snook both day and night since the season opened September first, and should be even better in October. The ocean, with its fall migration of baitfish and predators, will be a great fishery when the seas allow. Lastly, the St. Sebastian River will be home to a large percentage of the local snook and tarpon population and will be a great refuge for anglers during the windy periods associated with the fall season.
As the air and water temperatures cool down the fishing heats up in Sebastian!
FORECAST BY: Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters
Phone: (772) 589-0008
Email: patternsetter@comcast.net
www.sebastianfishingguides.com