anglers in jetty fog

Fog shrouded anglers at Sebastian Inlet’s south jetty on Friday, December 27.

Good morning, Sebastian Inlet fishing junkies. I hope you had a great weekend! Here’s what’s happening at Sebastian Inlet. The fishing remains mostly slow, but steady with what’s been biting. Water quality is an issue: Waves are diminishing visibility, and seaweed on the south side has been a problem for some anglers.

North side

Back here it has been slow, but flounder have been caught on live finger mullet, shrimp and mud minnows. The incoming tide along the rocks by the “steel” has been the spot. Also, boaters drifting the mangroves have been getting a few flounder, along with small snook and spotted sea trout.

South side

Here, the fishing has been better because there are more areas to fish. The north jetty blocks most of the larger waves coming from the NE. The outgoing tide at the tip and beachside have produced big bluefish in the 10 to 12-pound range for those fishing large silver spoons, jigs and cut bait. Also, there are reports of pompano and black drum on shrimp, sand fleas and goofy jigs, when the water is cleaner. The incoming tide has been producing sheepshead and black drum along the shoreline from the jetty back to the t-dock; shrimp and sand fleas are the baits. Find an area you like, pull up a rock, sit and fish. The flounder bite here continues to be alright on the incoming tide on live finger mullet and mud minnows. Live shrimp will work as well, but everything else also eats shrimp, so that’s going to be a tricky one. The best area is from the ranger beach back to the campgrounds.

T-Dock area

Here, big bluefish have been roaming through the inlet on both tides. Fishing the big silver spoons or large jigs might entice a bite from them. Also, around the dock there have been a few black drum and sheepshead on live and dead shrimp fished on the bottom. Incoming tide will be your best bet. Also, on the incoming tide I heard a few anglers fishing goofy jigs were picking up some nice pompano in the cleaner water.

Surf area, both sides

On the south side of the inlet there have been pompano caught in the cleaner water conditions, along with a few black drum, and, of course, the pesky catfish! Live and dead shrimp and sandfleas. The north side is a bit tougher as the waves have been coming from the NE, with nothing to block them as the north jetty does for the south side, making it rough and dirty. Expect west winds over the next couple of days, so it should calm down and improve surf fishing conditions.

That’s it for this week. I hope everyone has a great, safe and Happy New Year!