Generally, by December, the waters of the Indian River Lagoon have cooled down enough to fire up the redfish and seatrout bite. Likewise, pompano and flounder will show up from the beaches to the lagoon backwaters once water temps get into the high 60s. If things remain on the warm side, the Sebastian area can be home to an incredible variety of gamefish in December. This is great news for anglers who just want to bend a rod, but those seeking specific species may have trouble finding consistent action.
Sebastian River
A warm late fall could have snook and tarpon continuing to be viable options for anglers in the Sebastian River during the last month of 2020. If cold weather does make an appearance, trout, bluefish, pompano ladyfish and jacks can keep anglers busy by bouncing jigs in the deeper areas of the north fork.
Indian River Lagoon
Seatrout season is closed in the Sebastian area through the end of the year, catch and release only. Redfish and larger trout share habitat in the lagoon in December. Fishing shallow backwater flats and shorelines with D.O.A. C.A.L. jerk baits and jigs is a great way to cover ground and get strikes from both redfish and trout. Sight-fishing for both reds and trout can be an option if a sharp cold front with freezing temperatures arrives and clears the waters. Fly fishermen and light tackle anglers can stalk along mangrove shorelines looking for cruising and laid up reds. Some of the best inshore pompano fishing consistently coincides with the Christmas break. Bouncing pink or yellow Goofy Jigs around spoil island drop-offs, flats edges and in Sebastian Inlet can be a fun way to catch a cooler full. Trout, weakfish, bluefish, jacks, ladyfish, flounder, snappers, juvenile grouper, Spanish mackerel, and whatever else decides to swim in Sebastian Inlet to enjoy the bounty of the lagoon will hit jigs, plugs and live shrimp in these same areas.
Sebastian Inlet
Flounder are the main draw to Sebastian Inlet from Thanksgiving throughout December. Land-bound and boating anglers both find soaking live finger mullet and mud minnows in areas of broken rocky/sandy bottom is the best way to put a doormat in the cooler. Flatties up to 15 pounds are an annual catch at Sebastian Inlet. Snook season will close on December 15 and depending on ocean water temps, legal fish can be caught right up to the deadline. Bluefish are usually abundant in and around the inlet and some of the biggest reds of the year can show up with the cold fronts. Sheepshead and black drum numbers increase at the inlet in December.
Nearshore Atlantic
The beaches all along the Treasure Coast begin to fill up with snowbird surf fishermen in December, and for good reason. Schools of pompano cruise the troughs and sandbars along the coast hunting down sand fleas, crabs, clams, and glass minnows. Pompano, a favorite eating fish, is also an excellent gamefish on light tackle. Ten-plus-foot surf rods with three hook pompano rigs is the standard technique for both pompano and the tasty whiting that share the surf with them, but casting Goofy Jigs on light spinning gear can be very productive when the surf is calm and clean. Live sand fleas are top bait followed by cut clams and pieces of fresh shrimp. Blues and Spanish macks will also keep surf fishermen and boaters busy along the coast in December. Cut bait, spoons, jigs and Got-Cha plugs are all good choices for these toothy gamesters.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
FORECAST BY: Capt. Gus Brugger
Telephone: 772-360-6787
Website: www.WelcomeToSebastian.com
