Last January the flounder bite was better in January than earlier because the colder temps pushed them in Sebastian Inlet. This winter has been similar to last year so anglers should expect the flounder to be moving around the same time. Fish with live finger mullet on a short 20lb leader and a sliding sinker just heavy enough to keep the bait on the bottom. Fish near the channel edges or on the edges of the rocks along the shoreline on the north and south sides of the inlet. Anglers wanting to jig for flounder can use a 1/2oz to 3/4oz bucktail or soft plastic bait with a paddle tail with a filet of mullet or pinfish. Jig the sandy bottom in the inlet to pick up good numbers of flounder in January.
Fish all of the creeks in the area for good action on jacks, trout and ladyfish with artificial baits as well as some Black drum in deeper water with live shrimp, fiddler crabs or cut bait using a 2/0 VMC Circle hook. Target the trout and jacks on Storm Twitch Stick or Rapala XRap. The ladyfish will eat anything you throw their way. On the warmer days, anglers can target the snook with DOA Shrimp or live mullet or shrimp along the docks rigged on a 4/0 VMC circle hook.
The pompano will still be around in Sebastian Inlet as well as along the Melbourne and Eau Gallie Causeways and the Wabasso Causeway. Fishing the inlet around the change of tides will allow you to target the fish moving through the inlet looking for food.
Doc’s Goofy jigs are great baits for jigging the inlet and the causeways and the Mirro-lure lil jon rigged on a 1⁄4-3/8oz jighead works well also.
Anglers looking for action on the flats should concentrate on fishing late morning as the water warms. Fish the flats along mangroves and with drop offs that allow the bigger fish to move up on the flat to get warm as the sun heats up the shallow water. The big trout and redfish will be roaming the edges of the flats and will be very wary in the clear cold water. Long casts will be the key for spinning anglers and fly anglers alike. Shrimp imitations will work best for fly and artificial anglers and live shrimp will work will for the live bait anglers.
Capt. Glyn Austin www.captainglynaustin.com 321-863-8085 Capt. Glyn Austin is a lifelong Brevard County Resident and full time inshore/nearshore fishing guide. 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.
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