Fishing Sebastian-The Flounder Run

Sebastian is a quiet town located on the Indian River directly across from Sebastian Inlet. If fishing is your passion, this is the place to go.

Flats fishing for species such as Redfish, Snook, and Seatrout is fantastic. If you like to anchor up and relax, fishing near or in the Sebastian inlet is great as well.

Species such as Flounder,Snapper,Redfish, and Jack Crevalle are all available here. If you are bringing your own gear, your basic Largemouth Bass set up will do for most fishing.

The area also has some nice restaurants and a relaxing atmosphere that many people don't know exists in Florida.

There are antique outlets and the Mel Fisher Museum. Indian River boat tours and charter fishing is available for flats or offshore fishing.

The Oyster Bay resort is directly across the road from Captain Hirams Resort Marina, which has charters for hire, watercraft rentals, a restaurant, and the Sand Bar. There is live music almost every night.

Other delicious restaurants are the Red Garlic Bistro, featuring Thai food, and The Hurricane Harbor, with a wonderful ambiance.

For shoppers, downtown Vero Beach is only 15 minutes away with loads of boutiques and souvenir shopping.

Quick Tips:

A kayak or canoe is well suited to fishing for the flats species, as you are fishing very shallow. You can also wade fish from shore or fish from one of the many public fishing piers.

Fishing licenses are necessary if fishing on you own or a rental boat, and are available at tackle shops (located nearby) or Walmart. Only very basic equipment is needed such as hooks and popping corks, used with live bait like shrimp, which is also available at nearby tackle shops.

Make sure to get a copy of rules and regulations as there are some closed seasons and slot sizes for certain species. Most of these species are delicous to eat, especially Snapper, Flounder, and Snook. If in doubt, hire a guide for a day and he or she will help to teach you what you need to do to catch these great species.

If it's budget family time, there is a great new Publix just down the road with an outstanding wine selection and a Walmart Superstore two blocks away.

Best Way To Get Around:

You will need a vehicle as this area is not a highly developed tourist area. Boats to go offshore are not available for rent and that is probably a good thing.

There are lots of public launch site for your own boat, plus parking at no charge. Parking of our boat was accomodated by The Key West Inn at no charge, which is not guaranteed, so call ahead.

These are nice little efficiency units across the street from a public boat launch with easy parking. It's a very nice building with only three units. It's recently renovated too.

March 2003: As the renovations continue the Angler Inn will have a total of eight units in the near future.

Best Things Nearby:
Indian River, Mel Fisher Museum, Captian Hirams Restaurant, Bar and Marina.
Publix and Walmart.
Red Garlic Bistro.
Hurrican Harbor Restaurant.

Best Things About the Resort:
Located close to all things fishy in the area.

Resort Experience:
Oyster Pointe/Bay has four and six units in good repair and great for families. Kitchens are well equipped. There is a laundry facility, but it is only open 9 -5, which I thought was a bit silly.

You cannot park your boat on the premises, but the Key West Inn let us park it there with the boats belonging to their clientele. It was very convenient.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Poor
• Service: Fair

A very busy little restaurant one block from the Anglers Inn. Breakfast and lunch only, but they are very delicious and reasonably priced. You may have to wait a few minutes for a table.

Special mention - the Belgian Waffle with Strawberries and whipped cream.

Serves a very nice Sunday Brunch for under $20. Sit on the outdoor patio right on the Indian River. A very nice setting any time of day.

The museum is located right on the Indian River in Sebastian. They show a film depicting the search and recovery of the treasure from the sunken ship the Atocha. The film captures the imagination, and then you go on to view the museum.

The museum displays genuine artifacts from the Atocha and some other wrecks on the treasure coast. Some everyday items and some are real gems, gold, and silver.

You can even lift a gold bar.

Some genuine and some replica pieces are for sale in the gift shop along with videos and books on the salvage efforts.

The second week of March is a time to celebrate wildlife in Sebastian, Florida. The locals have come together to publicize the Pelican Island Wildlife reserve, and many of the other wildlife reserves in the U.S. and other countries have booths to display what is available at their location as well. A country fair type of atmosphere, and you can learn about the local wildlife at the same time.