The bait run is underway in earnest! Around the Sebastian area there are schools of mullet everywhere at the moment. Time will tell if this wave will continue or wane.
Snook, trout, and reds are taking advantage of this bounty. Early mornings and late evenings have seen some spectacular shows as these predators tear through the mullet schools sending fish flying everywhere. Large top-water plugs have been the most effective. Yo-Zuri Hydro Pencils and Hydro Poppers have been effective because they produce a lot of noise, splash, and flash and that is what is needed to get a fishes' attention when it is surrounded by thousands of natural baits. Even still, it has been tough to get strikes at times because of the shear odds of the fish choosing your one lure or bait over the thousands swimming in front of their face. Generally, if you find a school of mullet you will find some specie of predator shadowing it. Big jacks also are pounding these schools. I am talking about fish from 10-20 lbs. Tackle up a bit if you want to tangle with these guys or you will be fighting one fish for a long time. Fall is almost here and the signs are starting to appear. After the early mêlée has settled down we have been finding medium-sized trout and some reds along the deeper edges of flats and islands. Rip-Tide's new Conley Grubs and Curtailers have been working well rigged on 1/8 oz. jig heads and hopped along the bottom. Look for flounder in the Sebastian Inlet any time now. These same jigs will produce during slow current periods. There is some good catching to be had and more to come as fall progresses. Until next time Tight-Lines to all.
Sincerely,
Capt. Ron Bielefeld