I personally look forward to getting outside in the summer. The techniques are simple and the fish average larger than the biggest inshore specimens I catch the rest of the year.
Large migrating tarpon, smoker kings, hard fighting little tunny, toothy barracuda, brawling cobia, colorful dolphin, and even sailfish are possible within small boat range of the inlet. The methods I most often emply include; slow trolling live greenies and mullet, trolling large plugs, casting baits and lures to breaking and cruising fish and bottom fishing the shallow reefs.
Sebastian River – There are tarpon throughout the Sebastian River, but the larger fish seem to be frequenting the entire North Fork and the lower South Fork. Flies, Mirro-Lure catch 2000 junior plugs, D.O.A. shrimp and Terror-Eyz are all good artificial for both snook and tarpon. Live small to medium sized mullet are the best choice for live bait.
Sebastian Inlet – This is the time to take advantage of the inlet. The tips of the jetties have always been the best spots this time of year, the north jetty on the outgoing tide, and the south on the incoming. Live bait is the only way to go during the day; croakers, pigfish, and shrimp are the best choices. Get them down using anything from a split-shot to a 2 oz. egg sinker and you have as good a chance at catching a picture-worthy snook or redfish as any place in the world. I expect to see 20 to 40 pound.
Indian River Lagoon – Early morning provides the best chance at trout and reds on the many flats of the central lagoon. Topwater plugs are the best bet, with D.O.A. jerkbaits, live mullet and pigfish being good choices as well. Look for rolling tarpon and bull sharks in some of the open basins of the lagoon this month. Try floating a live ladyfish on stout gear with wire leader for the bull sharks and fire Mirro-lures, flies, D.O.A Bait-Busters and live mullet at rolling tarpon. Typically, snook of all sizes will be laid up tight to cover getting out of the sun during the day; hopefully this will be the case this summer. Twenty pound Fins wind-tamer braid combined with D.O.A. shrimp or a jerk-bait will do the trick.
For more Sebastian Area fishing info check out the frequently updated videos on my website homepage at www.sebastianfishingguides.com
Capt. Gus Brugger
772-589-0008