Anglers have been greeted with favorable conditions this week at Sebastian Inlet and the Indian River Lagoon. The abundance of baitfish in the waters offers an excellent chance for fishermen to secure their own live bait.
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The snook bite has been solid in the early mornings and late afternoons. Topwater baits and twitch baits have effectively enticed the snook to bite. Anglers have also caught the occasional speckled trout using the same tactics.
The areas producing the most keeper-size fish include sandbars, oyster bars, and drop-offs around mangroves. These spots have proven fruitful for anglers looking for a rewarding catch.
On the beaches, pompano are still being caught using sand fleas and fish bites. Additionally, anglers have reported the occasional Spanish mackerel mixed in with their catches. The preferred bait for pompano fishing has been sand fleas.
Anglers utilizing the catwalks and bridges at the Sebastian Inlet have successfully reeled in sheepshead by employing sand fleas and shrimp as bait. This strategy has been notably effective in attracting larger fish.
Fishing enthusiasts pursuing hefty snook and sporadic tarpon have found success particularly at night during the transition from slack to incoming tide. Swimbaits and bucktails have been the favored baits under these conditions.
As the full moon approaches, it is crucial to be mindful of sea turtle hatches along the beaches. Please avoid disturbing these protected creatures while enjoying your fishing activities.
Fellsmere, Florida – Headwaters Lake: According to Jim Fallon, this week’s fishing scene at Headwaters has been notably promising. Both live bait and artificial lures have been successful, with the latter standing out in their effectiveness, thanks to the weather conditions featuring rain, overcast skies, and wind.
In the early dawn, larger bull shad swimbaits have yielded success. However, as daylight breaks, the fish retreat to deeper waters. But the fish tend to migrate towards deeper waters as the sun rises. Here, speed tail worms in hues of gooseberry and June bug have been impressively productive. In these deeper reaches, employing a wacky rig with a slight weight has also proved a winning tactic.
The topwater bite has been good in the morning and occasionally in the afternoon. Popping shad baits have been the go-to lure, with larger fish often striking while the bait is still floating.
As it is now summer, fishing slower and being patient has been the keys to success, regardless of the bait choice. Whether you’re using chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, or worms, a slow presentation has been producing positive outcomes.
Jim has reported catching several 8-pounders, multiple 7-pounders, a bunch of 6-pounders, and numerous 3-5-pound fish this week. Smaller fish have been more active later in the morning and midday, while larger fish tend to be caught earlier in the day.
Remember to stay safe, stay classy, and, most importantly, have fun out there on the water. I wish you a great week of fishing!
Snyder runs the Anglers Anonymous Podcast (Apple – iHeart) with regular reports and fishing tips.
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