[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s the cold fronts of November cool lagoon waters into the lower 70s, the numbers of resident and migratory species are at a peak and some of the best fishing of the year is possible. Let’s take a look at what you’re likely to find in the Sebastian area in November.
Sebastian River
Snook numbers will continue to increase in the Sebastian River as water temps fall and the linesiders instinctively work their way into the backwater winter refuges. Tarpon will continue to be available until cold fronts drop water temps below 70. Jacks, ladyfish, some trout and redfish and even the occasional pompano and bluefish will make an appearance in the Sebastian River as the days get shorter. D.O.A. Shrimp, Terror-EyZ and Mirro-Lure Catch 2000 Jr. plugs and Doc’s Goofy Jigs are excellent choices for anything in the Sebastian River.
Indian River Lagoon
The lagoon should begin to offer some of the “every cast” action that make the cooler months in the Sebastian area a favorite time for vacationing anglers and families with children. Bluefish, ladyfish, jacks, trout, flounder and pompano move into the lagoon and provide easy open-water fishing for anglers using jigs and live shrimp. With the return of seagrass to some of the backwater flats, redfish numbers have dramatically increased over the last couple of months. Topwater plugs, jerkbaits, and gold spoons are great choices for open water reds and trout. The fall season will find numbers of trout and redfish following the baitfish into the backwater bays and along mangrove shorelines. Skinny water anglers who follow suit should have success. D.O.A. jerk baits in both 4-inch and 6-inch sizes are excellent choices on the flats and along shoreline cover for reds, trout and all other lagoon game fish. MirrOlures, gold spoons, live mullet and live shrimp will also catch anything that swims in the lagoon.
Sebastian Inlet
The inlet will continue to yield snook and redfish to live bait anglers both day and night. Pigfish, pinfish, croakers and shrimp are the baits of choice for inlet snook fishermen. Daytime anglers will find most of the fish along the shorelines and around the jetties. At night, most fishermen drift through the center of the A1A Bridge and have consistent success. The big news for November at Sebastian Inlet is the flounder run. From November into December, anglers can target flounder, some exceeding 10-pounds, throughout Sebastian Inlet. Live mullet and mud minnows are excellent baits, and jigs will do the trick as well.
Nearshore Atlantic
There will be calm days in the late fall, and when the opportunity arises it is worth a ride out the inlet and up or down the beach. Pelicans diving will give away the location of schools of mullet and greenies, which could and should be shadowed by tarpon, sharks and big jacks. Diving terns are usually associated with schools of glass minnows, a staple of the Spanish mackerel that are passing by on their southerly migration.