Reported by Capt. Sherrie Stovall on
April 3 , 2008
Offshore Sebastian Inlet
Blue water trolling days are here again! The dolphin run is starting and several huge Bulls have already been caught. A few dolphins in the 50 lb range have been reported by boaters out trolling close to the Gulf Stream and along weed lines.
Strong east winds have pushed in a lot of weeds and debris from the Gulf Stream and trade currents. Sargasso weed houses colonies of small bait fish and will keep most of the dolphin close by. Pick a direction on the weed line and begin dragging some rigged or naked ballyhoo up the cleanest side of the weed line. Turn around and work back down the other side of the weed line if nothing is happening. Throughout the day a rip or surface current may form, these are great places to look for fish. Most of the fish are on the clean side of the rips but if the temperature is right they might be swimming on the dirty side to help camouflage themselves. Look for dolphin, sailfish and Wahoo coming by to take a swipe at your baits.
While trolling keep a watchful eye out for large floating boards or any piece of debris. Trash that is exposed on the surface can house a tripletail or a small school of dolphin. Larger boards or objects that extend down into the water may hold some Wahoo down below. Trolling should be good starting about 130 ft out to the 400 ft cones area. If you are looking to burn some old fuel in the boat head out towards the Gulf Stream at the start of your day and catch the early bite. April is a great month to boat good numbers and larger sized Dolphin.
Sebastian Inlet & River
Sheepshead is still stacked in the inlet around all of the bridges. Fiddler crabs and sand fleas are choice baits but be ready to take lots with you. Sheepsheads are quick to steal bait right off the hook without even making a tug.
Large bluefish have been landed using spoons and cut bait from the jetties. Pompano are also caught off the south jetty this time of year. Cut clams and fleas are the old favorite but sometimes a light jig tipped with a small piece of shrimp works better on the sandy bottom. Expect to add a black drum or snapper into the take.
Many fish are being caught during the day on shrimp, mojarras and Pins off the North Jetty. Nighttime anglers are hooking up by using lures from the rocks and bridges. Try throwing dark color bombers, windcheaters and bucktails towards the channel to locate pockets of snook. Keep the cast net close by and look for schools of croakers, pins or mojarras to gather under the catwalks and present a chance to net some live bait. Hook the baits up with a little bit of weight and an #30lb. leader and cast them into the channel for the snook or redfish. Keep a camera close to get a nice snap shot of those oversized fish and take care in releasing them.
If you haven’t seen a tailing Red or giant Sea trout lying in a pothole this is a great time to start looking. With the warmer waters and flood of baitfish back into the river this is as good as it gets. Fish will stay in the flats and feed all day on the warmer days. Expect explosive top water action and jerk bait fishing too. Live bait can also be deployed for that occasional finicky fish.
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
www.whiteysonline.com/
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More information, or wish to book an Offshore Charter, please call us on 321-724-1440, or email us: captstovall@whiteysonline.com