The mullet run is finally in full swing and, unfortunately, so is the red tide here on the east coast. While the red tide hasn’t hit us as hard as it has the west coast of Florida, we certainly don’t want any red tide or algae issues to deal with. It seems to be in pockets along the beaches from Vero Beach to Cocoa Beach. I haven’t had any issues inside the Indian River Lagoon in the areas around Sebastian, Grant or Palm Bay this week.

In fact, the red tide hasn’t had an effect on the fishing this week at all for us. The redfish have been eating well at the inlet and the action inshore all week has been pretty good with trout, slot redfish, Pompano, bluefish, jacks and some snook. Fishing the mangrove shorelines and the spoil islands from Sebastian to Palm Bay have been very productive if you can find the bait pods. Fish around the bait pods with 4″ jerk baits and Rapala Twitchin minnows for the best action. If the Jacks are blasting the mullet schools, Rapala Skitterwalks, or Storm Chug Bugs are the hot bait. There are also bull sharks that are following the schools of jacks looking for an easy meal.

The best action for us has been found in targeting the tarpon that are following the mullet run, which is now finally going strong. Schools of mullet working south from Melbourne Beach to Sebastian to Vero Beach have had Tarpon, jacks and bluefish mixed in. Live mullet have been the best baits for us this week.