THE CENTRAL INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – APRIL 2013 FORECAST
The waters of the Sebastian area are a prime location for light tackle anglers once spring has gained a foothold. From here on in the temperature gauge will only move in an upward direction and this will bring most of the gamefish species into their comfort zone. This is the time of year when I have been most successful at getting my clients the East Central Florida slam, which consists of redfish, seatrout and tarpon. We usually don’t have any trouble throwing in a snook as well to make it a grand slam, but after the snook killing temps of this winter it may be tougher. These four species are readily available and aggressive after the winter layoff. Along with the big four anglers can also enjoy bending a rod on bluefish, big Jack Crevalle, and tasty pompano. There is always somewhere to fish in the central lagoon area, regardless of weather, and in the spring every square yard of water from the creeks to the ocean holds fish. Let’s look at the four main venues in the Sebastian area and what to expect to catch in each.
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Sebastian River – The sheltered waters of the Sebastian River and some of the other freshwater inflows into the Indian River Lagoon are still good places to go to escape windy conditions. However, now that waters have warmed into the 70’s the Sebastian River is much more than a place to go when the ocean and lagoon are white capping. The freshwater feeders of the central lagoon are top spots for early season snook (some of the largest of the year) and are magnets for juvenile tarpon, some pushing 60 pounds. The fly rod is the perfect tool for casting to rolling tarpon in some of the shallower areas of the river; keep the flies small and white. D.O.A. Shrimp and tiny terror-eyz along with Mirro-Lures and Yo-Zuri 3-D minnows are good spinning rod choices for Sebastian River tarpon and snook. Under cover, snook and tarpon are very apt to take a swipe at a shrimp imitation such as the D.O.A.. Live finger mullet or freshwater shiners will take tarpon for those anglers preferring a sit and wait approach. In the lower reaches of the river big snook will take up ambush positions on oyster bars and around the bridges at dawn and dusk. Eight plus inch mullet and large plugs are the best bet for these bruisers. During the day snook of all sizes will be around docks and structure where shrimp imitations, jerkbaits and Mirro-lures are my favorite choices. I’ve caught 13 species of fish in the Sebastian River in one day, but I would count on getting the trout and redfish portion of the east coast slam in the lagoon, then coming up the river for the tarpon.
Indian River Lagoon – Unlike last spring the snook fishing is not off to an early start probably do to the long cold winter. Trout on the other hand are available in good numbers this spring. Solid trout in the 1-3 pound range have been around the spoil islands and sunny shorelines. Redfish have been more available during this cold winter than in the past few. I think as the grass-beds rejuvenate with the increased daylight hours of spring, the redfish will spread out on the flats and along with the seatrout and provide some of the best inshore action we’ve had in the last few years. There are several things that these three species have in common at this time of year. They all hang out in shallow water and they will all eat properly presented live shrimp, D.O.A. Shrimp, Jerkbaits and plugs.
SEBASTIAN INLET – Snook (hopefully) and redfish will become more plentiful as water temperatures continue to increase through the spring. Daytime anglers may find it difficult to get a baitfish past the schools of marauding Jack Crevalle that should be a fixture in the inlet channel until late in April. After dark though, the inlet will be the domain of snook and oversized redfish. Plug and jig fishermen will do well on outgoing tides after dark, while boaters will drift the slower phases of both tides bouncing live pigfish and pinfish along the channels rocky bottom, scoring regularly with catch and release snook, big reds and even jumping the occasional tarpon..
Near Shore Atlantic – As spring wears on the waters from the surf on out to 10 miles will liven up with a variety of gamefish both big and small. Pompano, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks and tarpon will all be within range of surf fishermen and if the ocean allows, small boaters. Just outside of surf casting range the big jacks will begin to do their daisy chain ritual as they migrate up the coast. This can be a fly rodder’s dream. Hundreds of tightly schooled 10 to 30lb. jacks that can be site cast to in the clear ocean waters on poppers no less. Topwater and diving plugs are excellent choices on the spinning rod. Keep a look out for floating debris, manta rays and bait pods where cobia and tripletail are at home. By May, weather permitting, the kingfish and little Tunny will begin to move in to feed on the glass minnows and threadfins that migrate north within a few miles of the beach. The big tarpon and spinner sharks will also be following the bait pods. A live threadfin or Storm live eye jig could put you into a 50 -150 pound tarpon to start or finish your slam.
Spring is a short but sweet season in East Central Florida, and regardless of the weather there is nothing but good options available to light tackle anglers. Remember, snook season is closed through September first due to the kill caused by the freeze this winter.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Gus Brugger
772-589-0008
www.sebastianfishingguides.com
Capt. Gus Brugger is a full time inshore fishing guide with over 18 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.