[dropcap]F[/dropcap]or over two decades, the fish filled waters of the Indian River Lagoon have helped me make casual fishermen look like pro anglers. This has rarely been the case this winter. The rooted sea grasses that are the cornerstone of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem have not shown any sign of rejuvenation. This lack of open water habitat has forced the lagoons remaining seatrout and redfish into very shallow shoreline areas that where only the most stealthy approach has any chance of resulting in success. The present lagoon situation has made fishing tough for the family groups. My more seasoned clients have been able to score on some very nice fish. My mantra in regards to the Sebastian area fishing has always been “If one type of fishing is taken away another will take its place.”
Sebastian River
The Sebastian River will be at a peak this May. Tarpon size and numbers will increase with warming waters. Snook will stage throughout the river before making their pilgrimage to Sebastian Inlet for the summer. Many fly fishermen take advantage of the Sebastian River this time of year. Bring your entire fly selection, as these juvenile tarpon can be as frustrating as they are numerous. Light tackle anglers can target snook and tarpon with live mullet or a variety of artificial lures. Some of the best lure choices for the Sebastian River are; D.O.A. Shrimp and Terror-Eyz, Mirro-Lure Catch 2000 Jr. and Mirro-Dyne and Rapala X-Rap.
Indian River Lagoon
Anywhere rooted grass can be found the fish are sure to be around. If sea grass continues to be scarce alternate habitats such as rocky bottom, shallow shorelines and docks will hold trout, reds and snook. Stealth is the key.
Sebastian Inlet
The inlet has traditionally been a nighttime fishery in May. Snook and reds are caught with regularity by fishermen throwing plugs and bucktail jigs from the shoreline and by boaters drifting live baits under the A-1-A Bridge. Jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, and the last of the bluefish will make up most of the daytime action at the inlet until the redfish and snook take the stage in June.
Near-Shore Atlantic
When the winds calm and the nearshore waters clear, anything can happen just off the Sebastian area beaches. Kingfish, cobia, bonita, jacks, sharks, tarpon, permit, Spanish mackerel, sailfish and dolphin are all known to shadow the bait pods that are usually numerous within a few miles of Sebastian Inlet. Slow trolling live threadfins, mullet or pogies around bait pods and bottom structure keeps my clients happy and my smoker full all summer. Running the beach looking for rolling tarpon, breaking bonita and Spanish macs is also a great tactic for finding some light tackle action. Live greenies, plugs and jigs are all good choices to throw at breaking and rolling fish.
FORECAST BY: Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters
Phone: (772) 589-0008
Email: patternsetter@comcast.net
www.sebastianfishingguides.com