Today’s (July 6) forecast calls for a high of 88 degrees, partly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms expected in the afternoon, SE winds of 10 mph, and two to three-foot seas.

 Our legendary fishing guide, “Snookman” Wayne Landry, says conditions are finally improving for inlet anglers:

“Hello, Sebastian Inlet friends and family; I hope everyone enjoyed a long and happy 4th of July weekend! The weather stayed nice for most of us. Here we go with this week’s installment of ‘what's up at the inlet.’ It's picking back up a tad as I have mentioned it would. The water has cleaned up nicely, and it has warmed back up to the seasonal 84-85 degrees it should be. More bait fish have shown up, too. There are greenies around the jetty, and tiny mojarra back at the T-dock that the mangrove snapper feed on. Plus, there are still schools of mullet in the inlet that the BIG jack crevalle and huge redfish are feeding on. So off we go with the action highlights. 

 North jetty: Here, most of the action has been split between the clean incoming tide, and the very first couple hours of the clean outgoing before the dirty water takes over. Live croakers and mojarra have accounted for some catch-and-release snook and reds on either of those tide frames. In and around the pilings there are decent mangrove snapper finally showing up on small live shrimp and live and dead greenies, and of course those small live and cut mojarras. On the incoming tide, also in and around the pilings they are catching black margates and spot tail pins on cut, dead shrimp. For those at the tip fishing tiny hair jigs and swim baits on the incoming tide the lookdowns are biting. Outgoing at the tip before the water gets dirty, a few snook and reds have been caught on croakers and mojarra. Back along the wall, between the jetty and bait shop on the incoming tide, there have been big jack crevalle caught freelining live mullet in the channel. Also, in this area on the incoming with the higher water, they are starting to catch some nice mangrove snapper, in the 14-16 inch range, on small live baits. It's about time! Like I have said, they like the warm clean water. 

South Jetty: The south jetty is still open, but access is limited to the beach south of the inlet day use area. It’s half a mile down the beach. Quite a few anglers have been fishing the jetty, so something must be around, but I'm not walking that far just to find out. Boaters fishing the incoming tide over here are catching snook and redfish, which are both catch and release now. 

 Surf Area, both sides: The south side beach has been vacant of anglers because construction at the bridge has limited access here. The north side beach area has also been absent of anglers  because there isn't any water depth over there to fish it. That huge sandbar runs from the north jetty, up the beach for about a half mile, and out about three quarters of the way to the tip of the north jetty. As a result, the water is a mere  two to three feet deep on the north side, while most of the fish are going to be further out. You have to cast farther. Most people don't know that, to know how to read the water like I can. Been doing it a long time. 

T-Dock area: The end of the dock is closed, but the walkway remains open to fish. Either tide has been producing, finally, decent mangrove snappers, along with some sheepshead still. Live greenies, mojarra, either live or cut are producing fish. On the rocks along the shoreline as well is producing mangroves and sheepshead, spot tail pins and black margates. 

Well folks, that's it for this report; it’s a lot better than it has been. Let’s hope it continues improving. Expect a hot week, with mild winds and surf, so the water should remain pretty clean. Have a great week!” — Snookman