Today’s forecast (March 9) calls for partly cloudy skies, a high of 80 degrees, SSW winds of five mph becoming ESE 12 mph, and two to three-foot seas.

Our fishing guide, “Snookman” Wayne Landry, says the bite is improving despite turbid water conditions brought on by winds and waves:

“Good morning, my Sebastian Inlet friends, followers and anglers. I trust everyone enjoyed the wonderful weekend weather; it was springlike out there! The weather was great, the winds were a bit much at times, and the surf was up a bit, too, but that didn't prevent some fishies from coming out to play! While I was down last week and over the weekend, I saw quite a few different species being caught, but not a lot to write home about. The north side was silted up a tad, the water churned up by stiff SSE winds. That’s just how it is for now. With all that said, here are your action spots.

 North jetty: Here, again, is where all the action has been because the water stays clearer due to the incoming tide bringing clearer water down the beach from north to south. However, when the surf kicks up a tad, it will get silty, but the fish will still want to bite. Most of the action has been at the tip of the jetty over the rock pile on the incoming tide — some snook have been caught, some are too big, some too small, but several slots have been caught the last few days. Live shrimp and live pinfish are the baits of choice. Also, there have been a few catch-and-release redfish mixed in. Black drum and sheepshead round out the other species being caught in decent numbers on dead and live shrimp, and sandfleas. Fish at the tip and beachside of the jetty. Also, on the incoming tide I saw decent Spanish mackerel caught on tiny jigs and gotcha lures. For those fishing beachside, I did see a few pompano and whiting being caught on shrimp and sandfleas. The outgoing tide is still producing a lot of bluefish and Spanish mackerel for those tossing jigs, gotchas, and spoons, and any other baits being fished as they are not picky eaters! 

South jetty: Over here, like I said, the water clarity is poor. There are many catfish, stingrays and small sharks being caught! If you can find clearer water, your chances of catching a keeper fish increases. I chatted with a couple guys fishing the incoming tide for snook along the rocks, and they caught a few on live shrimp, but when the water visibility declined, it all just shut down, like someone turned off the light switch! Along the rocky shoreline, the possibility of catching sheepshead and drum exists if you can find some cleaner pockets of water. Live and dead shrimp and sandfleas are the baits, and the incoming tide. 

T-Dock area: Back here it has been pretty slow, with only a few sheepshead and small puppy drum, (under 10 inches) caught on dead shrimp. There were whiting caught, but I didn't see any. No word on any snook caught from shore, but I did see an angler catch an undersized one in a boat. The outgoing tide for those tossing small spoons and jigs are catching some bluefish and Spanish mackerel. 

Surf Area, both sides: South side surf has been washed out and offering poor visibility: No fish, only catfish, stingrays and some small bonnethead sharks are being caught. The north side surf has been producing decent numbers of nice pompano, whiting and black drum on shrimp, sandfleas and fish bites. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel are present for folks fishing spoons and jigs in the surf. 

That's it in a nutshell. We are in our springtime transition period where the water changes from cold to warmer. As of this writing it was showing 73 degrees along the coast in our area. This week is expected to be nice and warm with mild nights — the winds and seas will play a role in the conditions. It's not supposed to be as rough as it was in either category. Just remember the saying, If March comes in like a lion, It goes out like a lamb and vice versa. Cheers, everyone!” — Snookman.