 |
Central Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Ron Bielefeld
April 10, 2004
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Capt. Ron Bielefeld's Indian River Lagoon Report-Sebastian Area
Trout, snook, ladyfish, and jacks have been active on the flats since my last report. The most consistent top-water trout bite has been in the early mornings. However, if the chop is up the bite has been good during the afternoon as well. When the top-water bite stops we have been turning to Rip-Tide Brand Weedless shrimp and Yo Zuri Pins Minnows to keep the action going. The largest trout (over 3 lbs) continue to be in the shallow water (1-2 feet) while larger numbers of medium to small fish (1-3 lbs) have been hanging around in the 3-foot range. The most productive colors have been silver with an orange bottom for the top-water plugs (both poppers and spooks have been productive), new penny for the soft plastics, and rainbow trout for the pins minnows.
The snook we have been catching have been in the same areas as the larger trout and they have all come on top-water plugs early or late in the day. The water is warming up fast, so the snook should be more active in the coming weeks. Look for fish on the flats early and late and along mangrove shorelines and under docks during the middle of the day. I like to use top-water plugs when fishing all these areas, but day glow shrimp imitations, and soft plastic shad imitations in the lighter colors also work very well, especially around the docks and up into the pockets in the mangroves.
Spanish macks and jacks have been thick at times just outside the Sebastian Inlet. Look right on the beach out to about 35 feet of water. Look for birds feeding in thesea areas to pin-point the location of these fish. A variety of baits will catch these fish, just tie on something flashy. Be careful when approaching schools of feeding fish. Drift into casting range or use a trolling motor. If you run your large engine to close to the schools the fish will sound and you won’t catch nearly as many. Talk to Mike Barkley at the Fisherman’s Den (Located across from the Sebastian Yacht Club boat ramp) he can give you the low down on how to catch the Spanish.
Tarpon are starting to get active up in the Sebastian River. Stay tuned for more on this subject in the coming weeks. Until next time, Tight-Lines to all.
Sincerely,
Capt. Ron
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
