THE CENTRAL INDIAN RIVER LAGOON

MIDDLE TO LATE WINTER FISHING FORECAST

It seems as if we may have dodged the bullet here in the Sebastian area. After a substantial fish kill due to prolonged near freezing temperatures it seems as if the lagoons core species, seatrout and redfish have come out relatively unscathed. My biggest fear was an algae bloom caused by the rotting carcasses of tons of fish that didn’t make it through the cold. Thank goodness the putrid water lasted only a few days. The bulk of the fish killed by the cold were small baitfish and fringe species that were out of their home range this far north in January. Snook did die in large numbers, but already anglers are reporting catching small snook and seeing loads of big breeders in the Sebastian River our trusty winter refuge. After the damage done to the Indian River Lagoon buy the three weeks of near freezing weather last month, the latter half of the winter season is definitely going to be a time when Sebastian area anglers have to take advantage of what is available and not dwell on the species of fish that are just not numerous enough to catch with any regularity. This is for sure one of the times of year that when someone asks me what I’m fishing for I respond with, “Whatever bites.” I find that if you find biting fish (ladyfish, jacks, blues, small trout, etc.) this time of year it behooves you to stay with them and more than occasionally you will be surprised by something big or a tasty meal (pompano). I’m not saying the lagoon doesn’t have quality fish available this time of year, but you will have to fish specifically for them using methods that sometimes entail a little more effort than usual.

The saying that 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water is even truer now than at other times of the year. Water temperatures along with availability of cover and food will limit the productive areas and therefore the distribution of the predators. Previous knowledge of where target species like to stage during the winter months is the most efficient way to find them, but if waters are clear you can spend time poling or trolling motoring around looking for concentrations of trout and reds.

The top two fish that I pursue in the latter half of the winter are seatrout and redfish. This is good news, because during the fish kill of this past month I saw no trout or reds belly up, and continued to catch them even when water temperatures hovered in the mid 40’s. A couple of factors will determine where and how to catch both, temperature and water level. First, let us talk redfish because the rules are simple. Regardless of temperature or water clarity, you need to find a grass flat or mangrove shoreline with enough water to float your boat or with a hard enough bottom for you to wade. Then drift, pole or trolling motor very quietly throwing a weedless gold spoon, jerkbait or tipped skimmer jig and cover as much area as possible. If the water is gin clear you can sight fish along the mangrove shorelines and pitch live shrimp, skimmer jigs or flies to reds hanging around the pockets and points formed by the mangrove roots.

As for trout fishing, we have to divide trout into two categories, over 18” and under18”. There are some overlaps on occasion, though overwhelmingly in February the two are found in different locals. Smaller trout are generally found in deeper open water areas usually relating specifically to a drop-off. Spoil island banks, sandbars, edges of flats, natural and manmade channels, and deeper water grass beds around the inlet are good places to work a jig, D.O.A. shrimp, small diving plug or live shrimp to stay busy with small to keeper size trout. Bigger trout will be on the flats sunning themselves and ambushing the larger baits they prefer on all but the coldest days. The higher the water the more trout there will be, but there must be some grass or bait to hold them. D.O.A. 4 inch C.A.L. baits on 1/8^th oz. jig heads, Mirro-lure catch 2000 Jr. plugs, and handpicked shrimp on a short leader below a small float will take these bigger fish. Be quiet, stay low and cast long.

Investing in a pair of waders can pay great dividends this time of year. Wade fishing spoil islands, flats edges and sunny shorelines with live shrimp, flies and artificials can lead to some of the best catches of the year. Use the wind and current to make long casts and natural drifts to get into gator trout and reds.

Pompano will still be a target of both surf and lagoon anglers in February. Sandfleas and cut clams are the preferred baits of surf fishermen who line up north and south of Sebastian Inlet . Yellow and chartreuse Doc’s Goofy Jigs have accounted for most of my pompano in the last few years. Hopping the jigs along the bottom behind the inlet and around spoil islands is the best way to target the tasty hard fighting pomps. Look for “skipping” pompano in your wake as you run from spot to spot. If you see or hear them stop and fish the jigs, it could make your day.

The rest of the fishing available in the central lagoon area includes some big reds and a few snook at night from the A1A bridge east on jigs, plugs and live baits. Warm days may activate some of the holdover snook and tarpon in the St. Sebastian River . Bluefish and Spanish mackerel have been known to invade the near shore Atlantic later in the month, and there is always the good old ladyfish when all else fails.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Gus Brugger

www.sebastianfishingguides.com

772-589-0008

Capt. Gus Brugger is a full time inshore fishing guide with over 15 years of charter fishing experience in the Sebastian area. He and his 18’ Maverick flats skiff the Pattern Setter are available for charter by one to three 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.