sebastian inlet fishing

Good morning all you Sebastian Inlet fishing fanatics, I hope everyone had a great and safe new year’s holiday, and a great weekend! Now we’re off into a new year, and hopefully a great one for everyone! First off, I would like to start off and quell a rumor that I had heard out there about the jetty reconstruction project going on, that there is a possibility it will be open by February, well THAT just isn’t going to happen!! They are still on target for the July 2025 completion of the project. Sure, there are a lot of people that can dream about it getting done sooner, but that is just a dream. With the extent of the project from demolition to reconstruction, it won’t be a quick process. So, if you do hear anything out there, don’t believe it unless you read it on the SITD website, their own FB page, or you actually call them at their office. Here is a link to all the CORRECT and up to date info on the project.

Now, for the fishing update.

Over the weekend, the fishing at the inlet was slow, with that I saw or heard about. Friday morning, there was a decent pompano bite on the south jetty, early morning on fleas and shrimp. On Saturday they bit again, but not as well as the day before. Black drum and sheepshead were caught, but not in any numbers to brag about, shrimp and sand fleas as well. Also, a few whiting were caught beachside, but not in the numbers like last weekend.

The monster bluefish that were biting so well a week ago have gone; there are a few showing up from time to time for those who wait them out. Most were caught on the incoming tide around the tip, all the way to the bridge. Jigs and big silver spoons are the best. Last year the blues came in and stayed around because there were big mullet in the inlet. This year, not so much.

The strong flounder bite has tapered off between the jetty and the T-dock. Some are being caught still, but most are either undersized, or just over the minimum 14-inch limit to keep. The south jetty, beach side, is where most are being caught. Live mud minnows and small finger mullet, or live shrimp are the baits of choice, but you can also catch them on small artificial jigs, either plastic or hair jigs.

Not much else to talk about, like I said in the beginning, it is pretty slow. One of the main reasons, I believe, is the water temperature is too cold at 64 degrees, but it is pretty clean, just not as clean as a week ago thanks to the rough surf.

That’s it for this week. I hope everyone has a great, prosperous and happy new year! Oh, and stay warm, more winter is coming