Fewer anglers were out during the recent cold snap, but those brave enough to withstand the chill reported success at the Sebastian Inlet.
The North Jetty is partially open about halfway, with a wooden fence marking a restricted area.
Daniel Miehle was one of the people at the inlet, casting about 20 feet off the North Jetty. He used live shrimp on a Tsunami Shield 3000 reel.
“Biting are black drum, whiting, trout, small snook, and I saw a couple of Pompano come over the rail,” Miehle told Sebastian Daily.
Several anglers told us there’s plenty of black drum, sheepshead, and small snook. But, remember, snook is catch & release only. There are also some Spanish mackerel, but only a few.
While live shrimp seems to be the popular bait, some anglers used silver spoons near the docks at the inlet to catch Spanish mackerel and pompano on the incoming tide.
The South Jetty has also been busy with snook, redfish, flounder, and bluefish (you only keep three per person) on both incoming and outgoing tides.
The weather in Sebastian is getting warmer this week and great for fishing. Highs near 80 degrees, but the overnight lows will be in the 50s and 60s.
If you plan to do some fishing, email us how you did and the tackle you used. We love to receive your fishing pictures too!
Sheepshead
Sheepshead fish live around the Sebastian Inlet and piers and hang out near mangroves and reefs. Many anglers we speak with love eating sheepshead and describe them as being delicious, moist, and mouthwatering.
Some describe the meat as having a sweet shellfish-like taste. You can order the fish in restaurants or buy them at places like the Sebastian Seafood Market or the Indian River Seafood Market.
Black Drum
Black drums are usually caught inshore in the Indian River Lagoon or the St. Sebastian River. It is common for these fish to take both live and dead bait, making them popular with anglers, including fly fishermen.
The Black drum is edible, with a moderate flavor, and is not oily. Some restaurants in Florida serve smaller black drums.
Pompano
The pompano is probably one of the best-tasting fish to eat. Some anglers even refer to them as one of the planet’s most edible fish. These fish have no scales, so you cook them with the skin.
They offer a sweet taste; you can bake, grill, broil, or pan-fry. The meat is firm and goes well with butter, salt, and pepper.
