The warm winter enjoyed by Sebastian area residents and visitors has, and will continue, to bump the fishing calendar up a month or so. I am considering this a blessing, because the grass beds, as of mid-April, have not shown any sign of recovery. The trout and reds that call the grass home in the latter part of the spring are very scattered and spooky, making them tough targets. Hence, we will have to seek alternative methods and species to keep the rods bent this month. With the fishing ahead of schedule due to the warm weather, the alternatives are plentiful.
The tarpon bite in the Sebastian River has been better than average because of high water temperatures in the early spring. This will only get better as migratory fish move in for the summer. My favorite artificial lures include D.O.A. Terror-Eyz and Mirro- Lure Catch 2000Jr. Mullet and freshwater shiners are good natural baits for Sebastian River tarpon. Fly fishermen will also score regularly on silver kings to 40 pounds. Snook numbers have started to increase in the Sebastian area, and many of them will be found in the Sebastian River. D.O.A. Shrimp along shoreline cover and docks is a great method anytime, but big plugs and live mullet are preferred after dark. Don’t swim in the Sebastian River; it is full of bull sharks.
Stealth, persistence and finesse will increase your odds in the Indian River Lagoon. Gator trout and redfish of all sizes are available in the lagoon, but the window of opportunity and margins of error have been shrunk, due to the lack of grass beds. Light line, long casts, small lures and a silent approach will help anglers score in the lagoon.
I begin to focus on the ocean in late May. This year most of the species I pursue along the beaches in the summer are already available in April. King mackerel, cobia, Spanish, little tunny, jacks, sharks and tarpon have already made appearances in April, and should be thick outside Sebastian Inlet in May. I always have a variety of lures and live baits ready when I cruise the ocean looking for action. Gotcha lures are great for Spanish, blues and little tunny, as is the D.O.A. Terror- Eyz. The Catch 2000 Mirro-lure also catches little tunny, as well as cobia, Spanish, jacks and tarpon. Large diving plugs can be cast or trolled for kings, when live threadfins are hard to come by. Live threadfins slow trolled over bottom structure and around bait pods will draw strikes from any and all of the above mentioned species.
May is the new June. The weather is hot, but the fishing will be hotter.
FORECAST BY: Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters
Phone: (772) 589-0008
Email: patternsetter@comcast.net
www.sebastianfishingguides.com
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