Here’s this week’s Sebastian Fishing Report: As the weather heats up, the fish in the Indian River Lagoon have become more finicky, making it a bit challenging for anglers. However, there has been a massive abundance of baitfish in the lagoon, a positive sign for fishing enthusiasts.
I fished from one end of the river down past Sebastian and had some success. Sea trout were caught using mirror lures, especially in the early morning hours. Topwater lures have been effective for catching snook during this time as well.
In addition to fishing, I had the privilege of sitting down and talking to the owners of Wounded Waters. This nonprofit organization takes local heroes from our community fishing and on countless adventures.
They are hosting a fishing tournament on July 1 at Causeway Cove and Marina, and they are still in need of sponsors and donations. The tournament will be an all-day event with live music and a kids fishing tournament, offering prizes for participants. I highly recommend checking out their website, woundedwaters.org, for more information. And for the full interview, check out our podcast.
Moving on to Headwaters Lake in Fellsmere, there is some exciting news to share, says Jim Fallon. At the SJRWMD meeting on Tuesday night, discussions were held about paving the road to Headwaters Lake.
Funds have been set aside for this project, and pending finalization by the state, plans for paving the dirt road could begin as early as next year.
Additionally, there were talks about allowing duck hunters to start early on hunting days to alleviate overcrowding at the gate. This is great news for both hunters and fishermen, as it will help ensure safety and smoother access to the area.
The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) has also been actively involved in evasive fish removals at various lakes, such as Lake Pointsett and Cocoa. They have observed the detrimental impact of tilapia nests, with roughly 200 nests per acre, and the destructive behavior of pleco catfish, which burrow holes in the banks.
These issues have negatively affected water quality and native game fish populations. As a result, the state plans on conducting more netting operations to address this problem. For more information, you can visit the SJRWMD website.
Now, back to the fishing report: Jim says with the days getting longer and hotter, anglers have found success with topwater lures early in the morning until around 10 a.m. As the sun gets brighter, the larger fish tend to seek deeper, darker, and cooler waters, often hiding in heavy brush or vegetation. Punching and flipping techniques can be effective for targeting these bigger fish. Using shiners as bait continues to provide consistent catches.
Regardless of your choice of live bait or artificial lures, it is crucial to be patient and fish slowly and quietly. The abundance of baitfish schools in the area has made the fish more selective in their feeding patterns. Remember to stay hydrated, as the area’s temperatures have reached highs in the 90s this week.
Stay safe, stay classy, and most importantly, have fun out on the water!
Snyder runs the Anglers Anonymous Podcast (Apple – iHeart) with regular reports and fishing tips.
Catch anything? We would love to feature your catch! Let us know how you did by sending us your name, hometown, fish, bait used, and where you caught your fish, with photos to info@sebastiandaily.com.
Fishing Weather
Temperatures this week will range from 84 to 86 degrees as the high and overnight lows are around 70. A northeast wind most of the week at 5 to 10 mph. There’s an 80 percent chance of rain for each day until Friday. Seas are 3 to 4 feet, increasing to 5 feet during the afternoon thunderstorms.