Nearshore Atlantic
I personally look forward to getting outside in the summer. The techniques are simple, and the fish are usually larger than the biggest inshore specimens I catch the rest of the year. The summertime nearshore fishery is our best chance of the year to catch fish weighing in the double and sometime triple digits. Large migrating tarpon, smoker kings, hard fighting little tunny, toothy barracuda, brawling cobia, colorful dolphin, and even sailfish are possible within small boat range of the inlet. The methods I most often employ include slow trolling live greenies and mullet, trolling large plugs, casting baits and lures to breaking and cruising fish and bottom fishing the shallow reefs. The nearshore fishing is a great option for family groups, and can be productive regardless of an angler’s skill level.
Sebastian River
The top of the list in the Sebastian River in early summer is tarpon. There are tarpon throughout the Sebastian River, but the larger fish seem to be frequenting the entire north fork and the lower south fork. Flies, Mirro-Lure Catch 2000 Junior plugs, D.O.A. shrimp and Terror- Eyz are all good artificials for both snook and tarpon. Live small to medium-sized mullet are the best choice for live bait.
Sebastian Inlet
This is the time to take advantage of the inlet. The tips of the jetties have always been the best spots this time of year; the north jetty on the outgoing tide, and the south on the incoming. Live bait is the only way to go during the day; croakers, pigfish, and shrimp are the best choices. Get them down using anything from a split-shot to a 2 oz. egg sinker, and you have as good a chance at catching a photo-worthy snook or redfish as any place in the world. I expect to see 20-40 pound reds get in the inlet this summer like they have in years past. This is the best world class fishing opportunity available on the Treasure Coast, with fly fishermen, as well as live bait anglers, having an equal chance to land a trophy.
Indian River Lagoon
Early morning provides the best chance at trout and reds on the many flats of the central lagoon. Topwater plugs are the best bet, with D.O.A. jerkbaits, live mullet and pigfish being good choices as well. Look for rolling tarpon and bull sharks in some of the open basins of the lagoon this month. Try floating a live ladyfish on stout gear with wire leader for the bull sharks, and fire MirrOlures, flies, D.O.A Bait-Busters and live mullet at rolling tarpon. Typically, snook of all sizes will be laid up tight to cover getting out of the sun during the day; hopefully this will be the case this summer. Twenty-pound Fins Wind-Tamer braid, combined with D.O.A. shrimp or a jerk-bait will do the trick.
FORECAST BY: Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters
Phone: (772) 589-0008
Email: patternsetter@comcast.net
www.sebastianfishingguides.com
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