THE CENTRAL INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – SEPTEMBER 2013 FORECAST
It has been a long hot summer for the central Indian River Lagoon area this year. Due to an abundance of calm, clear days and very little rain this summer, water temperatures reached the low 90’s in the lagoon on a daily basis. This really kept the inshore fishing to a minimum in the Sebastian area, but further south around Ft. Pierce with their large inlet and good tidal exchange, the inshore bite carried on through the dog days. As I have always said about the Sebastian area, when one type of fishing is taken away something else will take its place. This summer the near-shore fishing stepped up and provided those willing to venture out into the slick calm Atlantic with the opportunity to keep their rods bent on kingfish and cobia. The FWC has extended the snook closure through September 16th so as to be able to hear a report on the status of the snook population in Florida at the FWC meeting in Pensacola on Sept. 1-3. Public input will be received at this meeting. This means snook fishing will continue to be catch and release only, until 12:01am September 17th unless the FWC decides to further extend the closure. To keep up with the snook rules go to: http://myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/Saltwater_Regulations_Snook.htm
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SEBASTIAN RIVER – The tarpon and snook action in the Sebastian River will pick up by leaps and bounds as the schools of finger mullet make their way into the estuary. Live finger mullet, D.O.A. shrimp, tiny terror-eyz, C.A.L. Jerkbaits as well as suspending and topwater MirrOlures are excellent ways to target tarpon and snook throughout the day.
INDIAN RIVER LAGOON –There are a few factors that will control when and to what extent the fishing and more importantly the catching will pick up. These factors, in my opinion and in order of importance are, the mullet run, water level and water temperature. The arrival of the migrating masses of 3-5 inch mullet is critical to all types of fishing in Central Florida. All types of artificials and live finger mullet fished wherever pods of mullet are found will draw strikes from anything with a mouth. Snook will ambush bait around shoreline structure including dock and mangroves, while trout and reds stalk the grass flats for a finger mullet meal. Topwater and suspending plugs, such as MirrOlures MirrOmullet and catch 2000 Jr. as well as D.O.A. Jerkbaits and shrimp and gold spoons will get you through just about any late summer situation in the central lagoon.
SEBASTIAN INLET –Sebastian Inlet would usually be will be the destination of anglers from near and far come Sept. 1st with the opening of the snook season. This year the snook season will be delayed or possibly cancelled due to the high winter kill. There are still some snook at Sebastian Inlet as well as oversize reds. Live croakers, pigfish, shrimp and finger mullet will all get the attention of predators at the inlet. The tip of the jetties, the channel east of A1A and the north and south shorelines west of A1A will hold snook. Daytime requires live bait for consistent success. After dark, live bait is still preferred by anglers drifting the channel under the A1A Bridge. Shore bound anglers predominantly throw bucktails, and various diving plugs after dark.
THE NEARSHORE ATLANTIC – When weather conditions are favorable, the waters within 2 miles of the beach between Melbourne and Fort Pierce can be explosive. Snook, Tarpon, Reds, Blues, Spanish, Cobia, Tripletail, Sharks, Jacks, and Flounder all follow the migrating mullet southward. A live mullet, plug, spoon, etc. fished from the beach or a boat can account for some of the best fishing of the year. When you have as many options available to you as you do in Sebastian in late summer it’s hard to have a slow day.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Gus Brugger
www.sebastianfishinhgguides.com
772-589-0008
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 hire 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.