Today’s (April 20) forecast calls for cloudy skies and scattered thunderstorms, a high of 76 degrees, NE winds of 19 to 21 mph and three to four-foot seas.

Our fishing guide, "Snookman" Wayne Landry says water temps are improving and hopefull, the fishing action will follow: 

"Hello, Sebastian Inlet friends and fans; I hope you had a wonderful and fun weekend! The weather was glorious! It appears we are entering our ‘normal’ spring weather pattern, finally! The water has cleaned up nicely on both sides of the inlet, and the water temps are holding at or around 75 degrees. It’s showing 77 today, which is the temp I like to see.

Baitfish are starting to appear in the inlet. On Sunday, I saw mojarra on the south, and quite a few schools of finger mullet on both sides. Also, there are some threadfin herring in the inlet as well. First, I would like to remind everyone that the north and south jetties will be closed on Tuesday, April 21, and Wednesday, April 22, for routine annual structural inspections. So, with that said, here we go with this week’s action, or lack thereof. It was relatively slow everywhere again, but some species were caught around the inlet. 

North jetty: Over here, most of the action has been at the tip of the jetty on the outgoing tide. Black drum, sheepshead and redfish were caught on live and dead shrimp, and sand fleas. Most of the drum were small ‘puppy’ drum about 10 to 12 inches. They must be 15 inches to keep; some were big enough, though, in the 20 to 28-inch range. The sheepshead were also keepers, 12 inch minimum. For those tossing vertical jigs and spoons there have been a few blues and jacks being caught in the inlet channel. The snook bite has been hit-or-miss; there one day, and gone the next few days. But those caught were mostly oversized, with a few slot fish mixed in. The incoming tide has been slow as well: a few snook and reds caught on live mojarra, and again, most are too big to keep, 28 to 32 inches is the limit on snook. For those fishing live fiddler crabs and sandfleas around the pilings, some nice sheepshead are still being caught. The area along the wall between the bait shop and bridge is still producing catch-and-release redfish on any live bait, both tides. 

South jetty: CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

 T-dock area: Back here the bite has also been slow, with only a few nice sheepshead  caught around the dock pilings on dead shrimp, fiddlers and sandfleas. Also, there have been a few undersized snappers of various different species being caught — mangrove, lane, schoolmaster snappers, and of course the puffers. The snook bite back here was fairly good last week while the mojarra were around, but like everywhere else, it was hit-or-miss. The boaters are catching most of them, but the shore guys were getting them as well. Most were oversized, but several slot fish were caught. Live majorra and threadfins were the bait the snook wanted to eat. For those tossing spoons and diamond jigs to the channel area, blues are still around along with jack crevalle, but no Spanish mackerel yet. 

Surf area, both sides: The surf on the south side has cleaned up a bit, but the fishing remains slow due to the weeds still hanging around, and some dirty water. Catfish, stingrays, and small sharks and some whiting are about all that I have heard of being caught. The north side surf away from the jetty where the water is deeper, and has cleaned up quite a bit is producing some nice whiting, black drum, Sheepshead, and an occasional pompano or two. Live or dead shrimp, sandfleas are the top baits for those species. And as I mentioned at the beginning of this report, some nice finger mullet are starting to show up on the beaches, so it is only a matter of time, and with the water warming up, the snook and reds and tarpon will be showing up for a snack! So, keep your eyes open. 

Well, my fans, that is all I have for this week's installment. After we get past Monday’s storms and wind, the remainder of the week looks good. Grab your gear, bait, and snacks and get out and fish. It's finally that time of the year for things to get better!” —Snookman.