Whiteys Fishing Report
April 2012

Sebastian Inlet, Beaches & Offshore

Surf fishing has finally started to show some signs of a turn around. Pompano are back on the catch list along with the arrival of some much missed sand fleas. The fleas are spotty and not showing in huge numbers but there are a few there. This has brought the pompano, whiting and blues through the surf and many anglers are finally starting to catch a few fish.

Some of the pompano are small, so keep a ruler handy. The legal size is 11” to the fork, keep measuring them and soon you will notice a little silvery shine in your bucket, as a few measure out to be legal size. There is not a daily limit on the whiting, but the bluefish are 10 per person. So grab a cup of coffee hit the beach with your surf gear and watch a beautiful sunrise. Hopefully, you will be taking home some fresh fish for lunch!

One big surprise at the Sebastian Inlet right now is how good the trout fishing is. It has been several years since the trout have really moved into the inlet. Many, many years ago it was a regular cycle, but over time the trout have just have not shown up in any good numbers. It has just been a hand full fish here and there for just a few days.

The best way to fish for the trout in the cooler water is to slowly work shallow diving plugs along the rocks and close to the piers. They are cold and sluggish due to the cold water. If you work the lure too fast they do not have the energy for an attack. Live bait is also easy to use in the currents with a lightweight rod, just like snook fishing.

The snook bite is slow look for more action as the month goes on and the water starts to warm up. The fishing around the jetties is been producing some good numbers of black drum, bluefish, pompano and whiting. The black drum are sucking up the live clams and ranging an average of 5-8 lbs, with a few fish over 15lbs. If the water cleans up along the beaches the pompano will make a run by the jetties. The whiting have been on the south side and in great numbers with the occasional pompano mixed in. Blues are everywhere and if you want to try your luck with them try casting silver spoons on outgoing tides. They are a fun fight and are great on the smoker.

Offshore has been good for king fishing when the seas allow. Most of the kings are scattered from the Bethel ledges north up to the Port. Trolling season is here and the dolphin are right on schedule. A few wahoo have been caught over the cones and that can really make your day. Scattered weed lines are starting around 130ft of water and all the way out to 55 miles. This month is just the start of the dolphin run and a good way to get out and burn some fuel before next month.


Whiteys Fishing Outfitters, Sebastian Inlet Florida
http://www.whiteysonline.com
9030 S Highway A1A
Melbourne Beach
321-724-1440