Today's (Aug. 29) forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies and possible afternoon thunderstorms, a high of 86 degrees, ENE winds of 7 to 8 mph, and one to two-foot seas. 

“Good morning, Sebastian Inlet fishing fanatics; I hope everyone had a great weekend and missed the passing thunderstorms. What’s happening at the inlet? Well, for the most part, the fishing has remained steady, but most of the action switched to the south side. Last week, it was the north side, but the north side is still holding its own. The baitfish are still around — greenies, mullet, pilchards and mojarra to be had. That, in turn, has kept the predator fish active despite the water cooling down from seasonal temperatures. Snook, reds, jacks, snapper, mangrove and mutton, Spanish mackerel, and even summer flounder have been caught in the inlet. So here we go with the action spots. 

North jetty: The action has cooled down due to the thermocline that has cooled the water temperatures, which occurs this time of year. During the first part of the outgoing tide, before  murky freshwater flows out of the inlet, there have been catch-and-release snook and reds at the tip, along with cuberas that have been hooked. Live baits like mullet, croakers and mojarra are getting the bite. Also, those fishing live and cut greenies around the rock pile and pilings are finding decent mangrove snapper and an occasional mutton snapper, most of which have been too small to keep. They must be 18 inches to keep. Another species making an appearance are  very nice Spanish mackerel on live greenies, beach side of the jetty, on either tide, along with  big barracudas looking to eat them. They really like mackerel! I saw three or four in the 16 to 18-inch range the last time I was down there. The incoming tide has been slow at the jetty for snook and reds due to the cooler water; they just don't want to play. Plus, the goliaths are always keeping them away from the jetty, which makes them tough to catch. The boat traffic doesn’t help, either.

In and around the pilings there has been some nice mangroves caught by angler using live shrimp, greenies, live or dead. I also saw sheepshead caught on live fiddler crabs and cut shrimp. The incoming tide along the rocks from the jetty gate back to the bridge is still producing catch-and-release redfish on live croakers and mojarras. Mangrove snapper and sheepshead round out the menu in that area. For the boaters drifting the inlet, big jacks, redfish and snook are being caught along the channel areas fishing live baits such as croakers and mullet and mojarra. Both tides. 

South jetty: The outgoing tide at the tip is producing the usual fare: black margates, blue runners, jacks, snappers, puffers and catfish. Any kind of cut bait will work for these species. The afternoon/evening incoming tide was active due to improving water clarity and being a bit warmer than the north side. Between the tip and the bridge, anglers have been catching catch-and-release snook and redfish on live croakers and mojarra. For those fishing live shrimp and greenies, there have been quite a few mangrove and mutton snapper caught. Most of the mangroves have ben on the small side, but there have been some keepers in the mix. The muttons have been too small to keep; they have to be 18 inches. Blue runners and jack crevalle have been in the mix to keep things interesting. For those looking for sheepshead, live fiddler crabs and cut shrimp fished west of the bridge along the rocks is the ticket, incoming tide. Plus there are mangrove snapper here too. 

T-Dock area: It’s the same as usual here: Small mangroves and mutton snappers around the pilings and rock shoreline. Live and dead/cut greenies or mojarra will work — also live or dead shrimp. With all the tiny baitfish around the dock there have been some Spanish mackerel caught on freelined live greenies and small white crappie jigs on very light tackle. Either tide is good to fish. The catch-and-release snook fishing has been slow, but there have been fish caught on mojarra and small croakers. 

Surf fishing, both sides: Same as last week: few are fishing the beach, mostly because the tide has been very low in the morning. Also, the last full moon we had on the 21st, and the afternoon storms keep anglers from doing the late afternoon high tide. So, I don't have any info on all this. 

Well folks, that's all I have for this week’s report. The fishing has been steady, which is a good thing, but could be better. So, grab your gear and bait and get out before the storms and see what pans out. Stay well, stay hydrated and be safe!” - Snookman