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Central Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Ron Bielefeld
January 12, 2002
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Indian River Report - Sebastian Area
The nights have continued to be cool to cold, but the days have been warming up nicely into the low to mid-70s. The water temps have been in the low to mid-50s in the lagoon in the morning and around 60 by late afternoon. The winds have been very cooperative with morning and evening winds being calm and afternoon winds being around 5-7 mph. Consequently, all areas of the lagoon have been fishable, but the cool temps have slowed the fishing. Small to medium sized trout are hanging in the deeper cuts and holes. These fish have been susceptible to live shrimp and jigs and plastics worked slowly. Larger trout have been few and far between. These fish have been on the edges of flats in the afternoon and have been hitting SOF spoons and top-water plugs worked very slowly. In the lagoon, small bait is hard to find. But, when you find it on the edges of flats in the afternoon you probably will find larger trout and reds. Reds have been scattered as well. During late afternoons small groups have been located on the flats. SOF spoons have produced all our strikes.
As the water temps have cooled the number of jacks and ladyfish moving into the Sebastian River (warmer water) has increased. Our last trip did not produce any jacks, but the ladyfish were everywhere. For those of you who have not caught ladyfish, they are not much to eat, but they sure fight and fly! Catching, well at least fighting, 40 of them in a few hours will plumb wear you out. Don’t worry if you loose a bunch of them before you get them to the boat. Next to tarpon and flounder, ladyfish are tops for being able to shake a hook. These fish will hit most baits worked just under the surface and at times will smack top-water plugs. I like to use floating crystal minnows, SOF spoons, or jigs, which ever seems to be most productive at the time. Watch your line condition carefully, because ladyfish will fray it or cut it very quickly. If you don’t retie often, you will lose a lot of fish and baits. Which ever bait you choose; please crush the barbs on your hooks. You will be releasing them anyway, and you will have plenty of chances. Thus, lost fish are no big deal, but dead ones are! Lets keep our fishery strong.
Until next time,
Tight-Lines to all.
Sincerely,
Capt. Ron
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