The early summer season with its stable weather and light winds widen the horizons for small boat anglers. The predictability of the weather gives small boat and kayak anglers a chance to pursue species that are out of their reach the rest of the year, including king mackerel, bonito, cobia, large migratory tarpon and giant jack crevalle. Regardless of whether you are fishing the ocean or the backcountry, mornings in June will generally provide great weather conditions to pursue whatever you want.
Near Shore Atlantic
The early summer near-shore fishery gives small boat anglers the opportunity to catch fish weighing in the double or even triple digits. Large migrating tarpon, smoker kingfish, bonito, barracuda, cobia, dolphin, and even sailfish are possible within a few miles of Sebastian Inlet. Slow trolling live greenies and mullet, trolling plugs and sight fishing to schools of feeding and cruising fish along the beaches can all put a trophy on the end of your line. Look for schools of bait or areas of bottom structure to narrow your search for fish.
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 frequent the entire north fork and the lower south fork after June first. MirrOLure suspending plugs, D.O.A. Terror-Eyz jigs, Yo-Zuri 3D minnows and flies are all good artificials for both snook and tarpon. Small to medium sized mullet are the best choice for live bait.
Sebastian Inlet
The tips of the jetties have always been the best spots this time of year for catch and release snook and oversized redfish action. Live bait is the best way to go during the day, with croakers, pigfish, greenies and shrimp the best bait choices. With fishing pressure low due to the closed snook season the next three months are a great time to try some new techniques and have some fun with the family catching fish at Sebastian Inlet.
Indian River Lagoon
Trout and redfish have been more difficult to find so far this year than snook and tarpon. Early morning will provide the best shot at shallow water trout and reds. With open water grass beds still near non-existent, try to find where the bait fish are and there should be some predators nearby. Top-water plugs are the best way to cover ground, with D.O.A. jerkbaits, live mullet and pigfish being good choices as well. Snook of all sizes will be laid up tight to docks and mangroves getting out of the sun during the day, pitch a D.O.A. shrimp into the cover on stout tackle and hold on.
The weather and the fish are here, get out and enjoy.
FORECASTY BY: Capt. Gus Brugger
(772) 360-6787
www.WelcomeToSebastian.com
