On the first day of snook season, we made it to the Sebastian Inlet where many anglers were reeling in more catch-and-release redfish than anticipated. Some fishing enthusiasts on the north jetty humorously suggested it felt more like redfish season.
Got a catch to share? We’re eager to spotlight it! Share details about your catch, including your name, hometown, type of fish, bait used, location, and pictures at info@sebastiandaily.com.
The piers were bustling, as many visitors were keen on making their first catch of the day. Despite the heat but bearable humidity, sun protection is advised for anyone planning to fish this week. Some savvy folks even fashioned makeshift sun shelters using large umbrellas.
Beyond redfish, crevalle jack and mangrove snapper were the other commonly caught species. One fisherman expressed disappointment at his luck, which unfortunately didn’t improve over the weekend.
While snook catches are less frequent, the chances of catching one will increase as the season progresses. We’ll be revisiting the inlet later this week to gauge any changes. For updates, follow me at @RealAndyHodges on Facebook.
The preferred bait among anglers consisted mainly of live greenies and pinfish, although mullet, sardines, and crustaceans are also ideal. Notably, live baits mimicking natural prey tend to attract snook most effectively.
This week, we also feature Kirby Kitchener and Marcus Steiner.
Kirby Kitchener
Kirby revealed that he caught a 46-inch snook on Tuesday morning, utilizing fresh mullet during the rising tide. He’s a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Paradise and was already working at the office by 1 p.m.
“Got up early to fish for a couple of hours at the North side of the jetty. Bait fish were running, and I was using a 30lb monofilament line with a Penn 7500 reel at the end of the Jetty. Back in the office working by 1 p.m. There were plenty of large YellowTail Jacks as well,” he added.
Great catch Kirby!
Marcus Steiner
Marcus was eager to share the accompanying photo, showcasing his most impressive catch to date—a sizable redfish. For bait, he used chunks of croaker.
“This photo shows how great of a fishing spot Sebastian Inlet is and how well people come together and help each other accomplish their fishing goals – a very hospitable place for fishermen of any level! With the help of the other fishermen, today I landed this redfish,” he said.
Kudos to Marcus! May there be many more catches in your future!
As we spoke with other anglers at the inlet, popular bait consisted of live greenies and pinfish, although mullet, sardines, and crustaceans are also ideal. Notably, live baits mimicking natural prey tend to attract snook most effectively.
Fishing Weather
Expect sunny skies throughout the week, with daytime highs hovering around 90 degrees and lows near 73 at night. Though long-range forecasts remain uncertain, rain probabilities could climb to 30% toward the weekend.
Ocean conditions have been rough due to ongoing tropical activity in the Atlantic. While no immediate threats are present, these disturbances contribute to choppier waters.
This week, expect seas to range between 2 to 3 feet, accompanied by a moderate chop in the Intracoastal waters. Winds are projected to be from the southwest at 5 to 10 knots, shifting to southerly winds by Friday.
