Stovall Report: August ’09 | The Beachside Resident

By: Captain Sherrie Stovall

Article Category: Sebastian Fishing Report Leave a Comment

Summer time brings smoker kingfish and tarpon close to shore. Massive bait pods full of pogies, greenies, glass minnows or mullet will gather along the beaches as far as the eye can see. Watch for baits exploding through the air as predators from below make their attack. Tarpon will roll in the bait pods or blast out of the water onto their backs when they are in a feeding frenzy. Look for jacks, redfish, blues, snook and bonito to be mixed into the action along the edges of the schools. Keep an eye on the surf later in the month, because an early run of mullet can march down the beach, and you don’t want to miss out on that. Anglers can cast large surface plugs, spoons or plastic swim baits for great surface action. Kayak fishing from the beaches can be the best this month as the action is right along the beach or just offshore within a mile.

With the cold water still at bay for the summer, the Gulf Stream currents have been close to Bethel shoals. Scattered weed lines seem to be holding some flying fish and live bait around 120 to 180 feet. Sailfish and dolphin are residents there and can be a sure catch if you slow-troll live baits or drag a few dead ones. Several cobia have been lingering along the offshore bars and swimming right up to the boats. Always keep a pitch bait or bucktail close by, because cobia are known to make a surprise visit and leave just as quick.

For those of us who love to dive, this is the month to pull out the dive gear that’s been collecting dust since last year. Lobster season begins August 1 and continues through March 31. Most of the inshore ledges and 50 to 60-foot reefs have shown good numbers of lobster prior to the start of season. With calm weather conditions and warm water, most divers should have a good chance of harvesting a few nice sized lobsters for dinner. Remember: the bag limit is 6 lobsters per person with a 3″ carapace. Also take a good look at your catch, and make sure the females don’t have any eggs. If you do catch one with eggs, use great care in releasing her unharmed to help ensure we have good lobster stocks for the future.

The bite at Sebastian has been fairly predictable recently and should remain so through August. Snook, reds, mangrove snapper and the occasional flounder have been coming over the rail fairly often. Outgoing tides seem to be producing a good number of reds, whereas incoming tides have been producing snook. Shrimp, mojarras and pinfish have been the baits of choice unless you can find any of the elusive croakers, which will surely draw a strike. Most of the snapper have been caught during the incoming tides or slack tides using shrimp and mojarras. Snook season starts September 1, so it’s time to start patterning the fish if you want to be the guy or gal who goes home with a keeper on opening day.

This is just a little FYI note for all you shorebound fisherman who’ve not had to purchase a fishing license in the past. Starting August 1, the State of Florida is regulating all saltwater fishing by requiring residents to purchase a saltwater fishing endorsement. The licenses will be sold in two forms: a $9 shoreline fishing license for those who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore, and a $17 saltwater fishing license. The State has passed this new license requirement to keep the Florida residents from having to purchase a new, more expensive federal angler license that will take effect in 2011.

Until next month…