Fishing at Sebastian Inlet has been hit or miss this week. This report covers what’s biting at the jetty, the best times to fish, and the most effective baits. I’ll also tell you how to catch sand fleas this time of year.
Click here to watch the video about this entire report! You’ll want to see the fishing action!
I was at the Inlet yesterday and spoke with several anglers who have been fishing daily since last Sunday. Most reported the fish biting best early, before 7:00 am, which is during the early high tide. If that’s accurate, the best fishing this week will likely be between 9:00 am and noon around the morning high tide, or between 9:00 pm and midnight around the evening high tide.
We spoke with local fishing expert Wayne Landry, also known as Snookman, who also targets the high tide. He explained that low tide makes the water too shallow, leading to snagged lines.
The good news is, the water temperature has risen to 70 degrees in the past two days, which is a positive sign. Fishing should improve more when the temperature reaches 72 degrees. Also, the water is clearing up, much better than it was last week.
While it’s snook season, even Snookman said he typically waits until March to target them. Fishing for them now is hit or miss, but the water temperature needs to rise for the bite to improve.
Where to Fish and What’s Biting:
- North Side of the Inlet (West of the Sebastian Inlet Bridge): Anglers have reported catching spotted seatrout, a few flounder, and small snook on live shrimp during the incoming tide. A few black drum and pompano were also caught using live or dead shrimp.
- South Jetty: The tip is the hot spot, with most fish being caught on the outgoing tide. Spoons, jigs, and cut baits are working well for bluefish, jacks, and blue runners. Sand fleas are tempting pompano, while black drum are taking sand fleas, live shrimp, and dead shrimp.
- T-Dock Area: Action was slow yesterday, but the incoming tide offers better chances. Dead shrimp has produced some black drum, whiting, and sand perch. A few nice snook have been caught on thumper jigs.
- Beach and Surf (Both Sides of the Inlet): Anglers are catching pompano, black drum, and whiting using cut shrimp and sand fleas. A few flounder have also been caught near the south jetty on the beach using live mud minnows.
Fishing Forecast:
Highs will be in the upper 80s all week, with lows in the upper 60s. Expect 87 degrees on Thursday, and again on Sunday. There’s a 40% chance of rain on Friday and Sunday. Expect windy conditions for most of the weekend.
Expect high tides in the morning hours and evenings, with low tides in the overnight and afternoon hours.
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