Capt. Glyn Austin
December can be a month with a lot of action around Sebastian. It may not be all big snook and redfish, but if the weather holds out like it did last year with warm temps and small seas, the reds and snook bite will continue to be pretty good from boat and from the shoreline. If the fronts are strong, anglers will be targeting Pompano, Bluefish, Mackerel and Flounder in and around the inlet. If the seas are calm, the weather warms and the winds are down, the bait can come in nearshore and the action with sharks blues, jacks and pompano can be strong.
Anglers targeting Flounder usually start around the first front in November that really cools down the water around Thanksgiving time. Fishing from shore or fishing by are both good options. Anglers fishing from shore will target the shoreline rocks with live finger mullet, mud minnows and small menhaden rigged on a short 12-18”, 20 pound fluorocarbon leader rigged on a 3/0-5/0 hook with an egg sinker just above the swivel. Anglers fishing from boats will anchor in areas where the rocks meet the sand with the same rigs. The key to catching the bigger fish is waiting till the tide is slowing and not missing the bite.
I like to jig the inlet for pompano, blues and mackerel in the month of December. Targeting Pompano and Blues, I rig a ¼ ounce to 3/8 ounce jighead with a soft plastic from DOA or I use a Doc’s Goofy jig. If I am targeting Flounder I like to use a ½ ounce or ¾ ounce jigs with DOA paddletails or 4” jerkbaits on the bottom using either pro cure or strips of mullet or pinfish as an attractant. We catch a lot of flounder jigging but not as many bigger fish with that technique.
Fishing the Spoil islands as the sun comes up will reward anglers with Trout, Flounder, Ladyfish and Bluefish along with the occasional Flounder and Snook. Fish soft plastics slow along the drop offs around the islands for the best success.
Capt. Glyn Austin
www.captainglynaustin.com
321-863-8085
Glyn runs a 23’ Shoalwater tunnel boat which is comfortable for up to 4 anglers and will let us get shallower than most flats boats for inshore fishing and offers a smooth dry ride when fishing the Inlet and nearshore waters of Brevard County.