Today's (August 4) forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, a high of 89 degrees (ick), SE winds of six to 11 mph, and one to two-foot seas. 

If you’re a slow reader, this week’s report from “Snookman” Wayne Landry will be a perfect piece to read – because the fishing was slow, too:

“Good morning, Sebastian Inlet fans, I hope you all had a great weekend despite the intense heat.  Unfortunately, I can't say that about the fishing: It was slow ALL weekend, not much to be said. I worked all day down there Saturday, fished all day Sunday, and there weren't  many fish being caught by anyone. Plenty of bait, though! Again, water conditions slowed the action. During the last four days, water temperatures were 87 degrees — and that rise after being so cool, in the mid-70s, has prevented the fish from wanting to play, plus it has attracted the snot weed from on the sea floor to the surface of the inlet. It was tough fishing without getting any on your rigs and bait. There were plenty of fish swimming around the north jetty on the clear incoming tide; they just wouldn't bite for the most part, but some fish were caught. Here is the breakdown:

 North jetty: The early morning, first of the outgoing tide was producing a few catch-and-release snook and redfish on mojarra, while the water was clean; Once the dirty tannin-stained rain runoff started out, it all shut down. Incoming tide, once the clean ocean water made its way around, and the greenies, pilchards and scaled sardines got thick, there were jack crevalle caught on live baits, cut baits, spoons and jigs. The summertime snook and redfish bite was just a thought on both days as they just didn't want to play — there were a LOT of them around, but the goliaths were herding them all over the inlet, you could watch them, plus I did see a few huge bull sharks around the area too, and the snook know better to bite. That's why they "go to school", to learn these things! But a couple of snook and reds were caught, just a few. The only other fish I saw caught were some nice lookdowns being caught on small live shrimp and greenies, also I did catch a big black margate on Sunday; that was the only bite I had! So yeah, it was pretty slow! The water was so clean and when you looked down in the water you could see plenty of fish swimming around, spadefish, sheepshead, lookdowns, cubera snapper, snook and reds, I mean they were all there, just didn't want anything to do with us. Along the seawall between the jetty and the bridge there weren't any anglers fishing, so no report on that area. West of the tide pool, same thing, nobody fishing.

South jetty: Over here on the outgoing tide at the tip, it was the same cast of characters as always: black margates, whiting, jacks and blue runners on any baits fished, oh, and the pesky puffers that never seem to go away! The incoming tide has been a bit better with some decent mangrove snapper being caught on any small live baits, especially small live shrimp. I did see quite a few caught on Saturday. For the catch-and-release guys, snook and redfish were playing decently on the incoming tide, mojarra and croakers. 

T-dock Area: The fishing has picked up on both tides for the mangrove snappers! Small live baits, shrimp, mojarra and greenies were the baits of choice around the dock pilings and the cleaning station. Several anglers caught their limits of fish in the 11 to 13-inch range. Nice, fat ones they showed me. With the water being in the mid to upper 80s (86 as of this report) and the presence of all the baitfish, the mangroves love this scenario. Jacks and a few Spanish have also been around to play with fishing small jigs, swim baits and live greenies on a float. 

Surf Area, both sides: North side again has had nobody fishing as there were just too many people "beaching it" that you couldn't fish the area, even up to the last parking lot! On the south side, the water clarity has improved and there were some fish being caught on cut shrimp. Some whiting, margates, jacks, a few decent mangroves around the rocks in the surf, and sheepshead. The pompano are gone due to the very warm water we have right now. They like it in the low to mid 70's. There have been some reports of snook and tarpon in the surf following the schools of mullet and croakers, so be on the lookout for that. 

Well folks, that's a wrap on this week's happenings at the inlet. Just a heads up for everyone, the gift shop and grille restaurant are closed, along with the bait shop. I’m not sure when they will reopen, but I was told there will be a hotdog stand and an ice-cream stand in the park located under the bridge area, north side. The food vendors told me they will be there Wednesday through Sunday, and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Everyone have a great week!” —   Snookman.