THE CENTRAL INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – AUGUST 2013 FORECAST
The fishing in the Sebastian area in the mid-summer can be some of the best of the year. In past years, August has seen large increases of redfish and trout on the flats of the central lagoon. The trout fishing has been exceptional this year, but we could really use the action at Sebastian Inlet and off the beaches to pick up. Snook season will open September 1st on Florida’s East Coast, with a limit of one fish between 28 and 32 inches with the tail pinched.
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Sebastian River – Tarpon will continue to be the main target for anglers fishing the freshwater rivers and creeks along the treasure coast. The north fork of the Sebastian River is usually the place to look for tarpon in the early morning and evening. Flies, plugs, D.O.A. root beer terror-eyes and finger mullet when they become available will all catch these backwater tarpon.
Indian River Lagoon – Things will stay status quo in the lagoon until the finger mullet show. Trout will remain available early and late for anglers using artificials such as topwater plugs, D.O.A. cals and Baitbusters. Redfish can be a daily occurrence on the flats, with schools of slot fish pushing up into the shallowest grassbeds they can find. Snook fishing, the most adversely affected inshore fishery in the Sebastian area should pick up steadily throughout this month inside the lagoon.
Sebastian Inlet – In years gone by August was my favorite month to fish “The Inlet”. The Snook will be stacked on top of one another and the big reds will be wherever they can find room. Live bait including croakers, pigfish, greenies, pinfish, shrimp, in that order, will be the key to daytime inlet action. Fish outgoing tides east of A1A, incoming tides west of A1A is a general rule for daytime snook fishing. Night fishing can also be great, whether you drift through the bridge with live bait, or chuck plugs or bucktails from the rocks.
Nearshore Atlantic – Weather permitting, August should still find kings, Spanish and occasional cobia and dolphin not too far off the beaches. Resident tarpon schools will also be a good bet over the reefs just off the beach. As mullet and other baitfish begin their southern trek late in the month the nearshore can come alive. Big tarpon, kings, Spanish mackerel, sharks, snook, jacks, etc. all chase the bait south and unlike the spring run they tend to stay within surf casting distance of the beach where the mullet like to swim, so surfcasting for fish weighing in the double and even triple digits is possible.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Gus Brugger
772-589-0008
www.sebastianfishingguides.com
Capt. Gus Brugger is a full time inshore fishing guide with over 17 years of charter fishing experience in the Sebastian area. He and his 18’ and 21’ Maverick flats skiffs are available for charter by one to Four anglers with reservations. Captain Hiram’s Resort is home base for Pattern Setter Charters and is a perfect get away for serious anglers or family fun. Give Gus a call today and book a trip to east central Florida’s finest fishing destination.