Reported by Capt. Sherrie Stovall on October 5, 2007
Sebatian Inlet & Beaches:
The Mullet are still a hot topic when it comes to fishing in October. Large schools of mullet will line the surf as they continue their annual migration south, along the Florida coastline. Depending on the weather conditions the silver mullet could provide a stream of steady action for many fishermen from the beach, piers and by boat. Anglers will expect to catch snook, tarpon, redfish, sharks, barracuda, bluefish, Spanish mackerel and even a rare kingfish.
Beach fishing will usually peak in the early mornings and late evenings. Casting soft plastic paddle baits that look like an actual live mullet have been the best color choice. Berkley Gulp Paddle baits and the Calcutta Flash Foil are the hot ticket right now. Many bluefish are also cruising through the water and will eat right through the plastic baits in a hurry. Next thing you know you have a hand full of wounded lures and not a single fish on the hook. Keep an assortment of top water and shallow swimming plugs as an alternate lure to cast into the large schools of bait.
The best selection for targeting the tarpon and snook that are feeding on the mullet is live bait. Match the hatch as the old saying goes. Carry your cast net and try to net some live fish, hook the mullet through the mouth and send him offshore. If you are targeting the tarpon use a #30-50 lb. Leader, drop down to a #30 lb. Leader for the snook. The best size of hook to use will depend on the bait size, vary your assortment from a 1/0 for the smaller finger mullet, and go up to a 5/0 for the larger silver mullet.
As the mullet begin to pour into the Sebastian Inlet the fun really begins. Look for lots of people to crowd into the pocket, on the North side of Inlet to get into the zone. Many redfish and snook stack up in the eddy created by the tides and just hammer down on the mullet as they become trapped and confused. The biggest problem is trying to cast amongst the mass of fishing lines in water.
A sudden tug from a flounder on the bottom has been a nice addition to the mixed bag catch. Lots of flounder seem to be nestled along the bottom of the inlet waiting for dinner to swim by. Try to use a small 1/2oz. weight and fish with a little finger mullet directly on the bottom.
The south jetty tip is still holding a good size school of mangrove snapper. Many of the mangroves are feeding on live and cut bait right below the rocks. A few good size muttons have also been pulled over the rail.
Offshore: Getting offshore this time of year is very challenging. The kingfish have been staying 2-3 miles off Sebastian Inlet. Trolling live baits on the downrigger or dragging a few spoons around will raise a few fish.
The offshore bar has been slow and you only might catch some bucket fish. The larger grouper and snapper have been offshore caught in the deeper 170 ft. and 220 ft. rock ledges. Live baits are the way to go right now with some sardines showing up at the Bethel buoy. The hardest part about offshore in October is getting a good weather window.
River: The redfish have been seen laying around the grass flats and along docks in the lagoon. The heat of the day will definitely work against you, so try to fish early in the morning and late evenings.
October is definitely the month for the inshore angler. The fishing possibilities are endless and the rewards are great. Good luck this month and let’s hope the wind dies soon ……
Visit our new Whitey's Photo Album site for loads of pictures new and old.
More information, or wish to book an Offshore Charter, please call us on 321-724-1440, or email us: captstovall@whiteysonline.com
Sebatian Inlet & Beaches:
The Mullet are still a hot topic when it comes to fishing in October. Large schools of mullet will line the surf as they continue their annual migration south, along the Florida coastline. Depending on the weather conditions the silver mullet could provide a stream of steady action for many fishermen from the beach, piers and by boat. Anglers will expect to catch snook, tarpon, redfish, sharks, barracuda, bluefish, Spanish mackerel and even a rare kingfish.
Beach fishing will usually peak in the early mornings and late evenings. Casting soft plastic paddle baits that look like an actual live mullet have been the best color choice. Berkley Gulp Paddle baits and the Calcutta Flash Foil are the hot ticket right now. Many bluefish are also cruising through the water and will eat right through the plastic baits in a hurry. Next thing you know you have a hand full of wounded lures and not a single fish on the hook. Keep an assortment of top water and shallow swimming plugs as an alternate lure to cast into the large schools of bait.
The best selection for targeting the tarpon and snook that are feeding on the mullet is live bait. Match the hatch as the old saying goes. Carry your cast net and try to net some live fish, hook the mullet through the mouth and send him offshore. If you are targeting the tarpon use a #30-50 lb. Leader, drop down to a #30 lb. Leader for the snook. The best size of hook to use will depend on the bait size, vary your assortment from a 1/0 for the smaller finger mullet, and go up to a 5/0 for the larger silver mullet.
As the mullet begin to pour into the Sebastian Inlet the fun really begins. Look for lots of people to crowd into the pocket, on the North side of Inlet to get into the zone. Many redfish and snook stack up in the eddy created by the tides and just hammer down on the mullet as they become trapped and confused. The biggest problem is trying to cast amongst the mass of fishing lines in water.
A sudden tug from a flounder on the bottom has been a nice addition to the mixed bag catch. Lots of flounder seem to be nestled along the bottom of the inlet waiting for dinner to swim by. Try to use a small 1/2oz. weight and fish with a little finger mullet directly on the bottom.
The south jetty tip is still holding a good size school of mangrove snapper. Many of the mangroves are feeding on live and cut bait right below the rocks. A few good size muttons have also been pulled over the rail.
Offshore: Getting offshore this time of year is very challenging. The kingfish have been staying 2-3 miles off Sebastian Inlet. Trolling live baits on the downrigger or dragging a few spoons around will raise a few fish.
The offshore bar has been slow and you only might catch some bucket fish. The larger grouper and snapper have been offshore caught in the deeper 170 ft. and 220 ft. rock ledges. Live baits are the way to go right now with some sardines showing up at the Bethel buoy. The hardest part about offshore in October is getting a good weather window.
River: The redfish have been seen laying around the grass flats and along docks in the lagoon. The heat of the day will definitely work against you, so try to fish early in the morning and late evenings.
October is definitely the month for the inshore angler. The fishing possibilities are endless and the rewards are great. Good luck this month and let’s hope the wind dies soon ……
Visit our new Whitey's Photo Album site for loads of pictures new and old.
More information, or wish to book an Offshore Charter, please call us on 321-724-1440, or email us: captstovall@whiteysonline.com
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
