Stovall Report: February ‘10

By: Captain Sherrie Stovall

Article Category: Sebastian Fishing Report

Put another log on the fire and sit back for this month’s fishing report.

Due to all the recent freezing temperatures throughout most of Florida, the fish have been the ones hit the hardest. In early January, several nights of freezing 30-degree weather dropped the water temperature so low in the river that a large population of fish died. Many of the local species like tarpon, snook, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, ladyfish, and catfish have washed up along the water’s edge over the past few weeks. With major fish kills of this proportion it will take some time for the numbers to rebound. The FWC has taken some action to eliminate some of the pressure off snook, tarpon, and bonefish populations by banning the harvest for several months. With snook season set to open February 1, you will now have to hold off harvesting a snook till the fall season — September 1, 2010.

The fishing around Sebastian Inlet has 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 to 8 lbs., with a few fish over 15 lbs. 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; 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.

Seatrout didn’t take a huge hit in the cold weather, so it might be a good time to break out the trout rods and sharpen the trebles on your Johnny Rattlers. Expect fish to be on the flats in the warmer afternoons around the potholes. A bonus redfish might pop up now and then since they are another species that took the cold well. Live baits like shrimp and mullet make a great choice for drifting over a productive flat.

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. This time of year, expect a few cobia to come over and take a look around the boat. Always keep a rod handy with a pitch jig or live bait to cast when they pop up. Recently, a legal 33-inch cobia was caught inside Sebastian Inlet by the cleaning table on the south side. A few fish now and then come from the jetties, but also from inside the back of the inlet! Who knows what to expect this month. Also keep a strong eye out for the manta rays swimming on the surface; they will usually have a cobia or two swimming below. There have been good reports of wahoo over the cones as well. Try high speeding your favorite lead head lure and see if the striped fish makes it to your frying pan. You never know — maybe a gaffer dolphin might make it to your skillet too.

As always, check in at Whitey’s for the latest reports and updates.

Until next time, stay warm and tight lines!