Report for Sebastian Florida

Last Wednesday was a picture-perfect day for fishing down here. Lots of sunshine, balmy temperatures, and no wind. The happy passengers who took advantage of these conditions were a young couple from Burlington, Vermont, visiting family in nearby Vero Beach. Laurie Ewell's Christmas gift to her fiancé, Carl Driscoll, was a "My Bonnie" fishing charter during their Florida vacation, and they selected the right day to take that trip. Both were good anglers, and their skills were rewarded by a catch of pompano, bluefish, trout and ladyfish--plus a half dozen beautiful iridescent "look-downs". We were scheduled to fish again today with a father/daughter from Mobile, Alabama--visiting relatives in Satellite Beach. But after listening to local weather forecasts and then being awakened by the sound of the gale-force winds this morning at 2:30, I aborted the trip. The Alabamians were disappointed, but they plan to return later this winter to try again. I know I was justified in this decision because as I write this report at 10:25am those winds are still howling and small-craft warnings have been posted for several hours. Local Color: Two friends of mine fished the Sebastian Inlet yesterday, using live bait in hope of hooking into some nice redfish and/or snook. The conditions were perfect, but the pair was skunked, nevertheless. Moral of the story: Experienced fishermen, fresh bait, perfect weather--are no guarantee of a catch. And that's why it's called "sport" fishing. Fortunately for my buddies, there's always tomorrow--because both of them live here 12 months a year and have their own boats and private docks on the Indian River. But don't be too envious; over the past two years they've had to deal with many hurricanes, three of which made direct hits here in Sebastian.