Sebastian Area Inshore / Nearshore Fishing Forecast – December 2012

Big inlet redfish with the Kaiser family. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger, Pattern Setter Charters.

SEBASTIAN RIVER

The Sebastian River plays a number of roles during the winter season. To me, the main role this time of year is that of a sanctuary from the some times lack-luster winter weather. I can slip into the river and have every cast action on jacks and ladyfish when most other anglers decide to stay home and wait for the wind to lie down and temperatures to return to Florida levels. Trout, bluefish, pompano and even a resident snook or tarpon can surprise anglers jigging the deeper areas of the north fork. Trout and reds seek shelter in the river during cold spells and can be targeted in the lower river with plugs, jigs, and live bait.

Cold front trout fishing with Gary Griffin and Todd Hagen. PHOTO CREDITS: Capt. Gus Brugger, Pattern Setter Charters.

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON

Redfish get top billing in the lagoon in December. This is not only because the reds are very available, but also because as lagoon waters cool they also become clear and allow for some of the best sight fishing opportunities of the year. Flyfishermen and light tackle anglers can stalk along mangrove shorelines and get shot after shot at individual reds as well as pods of up to a dozen fish. Seatrout fishing remains solid in December with the larger fish still preferring shallow waters and the schoolie trout beginning to group up around the edges of the flats and drop-offs of the spoil islands. The action fishing that I look forward to this time of year can also be found in these areas as well as over deeper flats. Working D.O.A. Cal jigs in these deeper areas is a great way to tighten a line. Trout, weakfish, pompano, 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.

Wintertime gator trout for John Gamage. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Gus Brugger, Pattern Setter Charters.

SEBASTIAN INLET

Flounder take center stage at Sebastian Inlet from Thanksgiving on. Gulf flounder A.K.A. three spot flounder, are leaving the inlet in December, but the larger southern flounder are just beginning their run. Land-bound and boating anglers both find soaking live finger mullet on 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. Giant reds invade the inlet in December. I’m not talking about the normal 12 to 20 pounders that can be caught year round; I’m talking about 30 and 40 plus pound fish that I believe may come down from the Carolinas with the December cold snaps.

NEARSHORE ATLANTIC

Schools of pompano will be cruising the troughs and sandbars along the coast hunting down sand fleas, crabs, clams, and glass minnows. Pompano, my favorite eating fish, is also an excellent gamefish. 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. 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 Gotcha plugs are all good choices for these toothy gamesters.

FORECAST BY: Capt. Gus Brugger
Pattern Setter Charters
Phone: (772) 589-0008
Email: patternsetter@comcast.net
www.sebastianfishingguides.com

Capt. Gus came to the Sebastian area in the mid 1980s and has been a full-time guide since 1992. You can reach Capt. Gus at (772) 589-0008 or by email. To learn more visit the Pattern Setter website.