Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report 1-09


Whiteys Outfitters Fishing Report Jan, 2009

Sebastian Inlet
Sebastian Inlet is certainly ringing in the new year with some really explosive action. Shore bound anglers are catching black drum, sheepshead, blue fish, pompano, spanish mackerel, jacks, huge red fish and snook from the piers. The big bull reds are with in casting distance from the pier and are putting all the new Christmas tackle to the test. Large 2oz and 3oz silver spoons rocketed out into the ocean are sure to produce a heavy battle at the other end of your fishing rod. Although snook season is closed the bite is still strong and look for a snook to hit live bait fish or shrimp drifting in the current.

Another winter time favorite for many fisherman are the black drum and sheepshead. They move into the inlet during the winter for the warmer water and hang out around the piers. Clams are best used to entice the drum to bite and the sheepshead love the sand fleas Occasional a huge 20-30lb. Black drum will take a small sand flea for dinner and it will leave you scratching your head. You might begin to think why would such a big fish take such a tiny bait? But remember, even elephants eat peanuts!

Some of the pompano and mackerel are hooking around the piers and can be caught throwing light jigs tipped with shrimp or fishing sand fleas on the bottom with pyramid weights. The ocean water is clean and will stay fairly fishable as long as the wind stays down. The surf temperatures are still really warm for this time of year so the beach fishing has been some what slow to date. Look for the surf fishing to turn around this month as a few more cold fronts come through and drop the surf temperatures as the month goes on.

Offshore

With a few good days of weather in a row, the offshore forecast says to go fishing. The Bottom bite has been really good from the 60 ft reefs on out to the deeper water ledges. Good numbers of legal red snapper are inshore and seem to be eager to strike as soon as the bait gets to the reef. Several muttons, lane snapper and trigger fish are striking the hooks and adding a little variety to the fish box. There has been a few reports of large Wahoo cruising the offshore waters. Try high speed trolling large heavy lures for these striped blue demons.

Inshore
The inshore bite has been really hot the last few weeks. Trout season is back open, so it is a good time to hit the flats. Schools of redfish are cruising the east shore along with the occasional Snook. Sight fishing has been possible when the winds are light, or in the lee side of land. Soft plastics, live shrimp and DOA's have been producing good catches in the river.

We are all very thankful to have the grouper regulations pushed back for another year. So get out and enjoy what you love so much about Florida in the winter. Until next time keep your lines tight and hooks sharp. As usual stop by Whitey’s for all the latest action

Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

captstovall@whiteysonline.com
www.whiteysonline.com/

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