Today's (November 9) forecast calls for mostly sunny skies, a high of 81 degrees, NNE winds of 8 mph, and four to five-foot seas. 

"Snookman" Wayne Landry, our dedicated fishing guide, describes a variety of species caught last weekend:

"Good morning, all my Sebastian Inlet fishing friends!

I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend! It was pretty nice out, and even the fishing finally improved! Some welcome relief from the boredom of nothing happening. Lol.

Before we get into the fishing report, I'd like to remind everyone about a couple of important fishing regulations.

Fishing Regulations Reminder

• Redfish: Redfish harvest remains closed in the Indian River Lagoon region, from New Smyrna Beach south to West Palm Beach. This closure has been in effect since September 1, 2022. All redfish caught in this region must be released.
• Spotted Seatrout: Spotted seatrout harvest is closed during November and December, reopening January 1. Until then, it's catch-and-release only.

Over the weekend, there was a fishing tournament at the inlet, and after chatting with several of the teams, it sounds like the fishing was pretty decent for many of them, as well as for some of our regular anglers.

Quite a few different species were caught, despite the water quality not being the best. I chalk it up to the cleaner ocean water coming in on the incoming tide and mixing with the dirtier outgoing water, making the salinity levels a little more tolerable for the fish. Apparently, they decided to come out and play!

The tournament anglers were only allowed to use artificial lures, which was pretty cool. Meanwhile, the regular anglers I spoke with were catching fish on both live and dead baits.

There weren't really any particular "hot spots" to focus on, as the fish seemed to be scattered throughout the inlet. However, the south side, west of the bridge, appeared to be the better area on both tides, especially back around the T-Dock.

So, here's what I have for this week!

North Jetty — STILL CLOSED

The walkway area along the wall has been producing some small snook and catch-and-release redfish during the early morning high tides. Anglers have been catching them on artificial lures and live baits.

Some small mangrove snapper, sheepshead, and black drum have also been caught using live and dead shrimp.

On the outgoing tide, the jetty walkway area near the gate has produced some smaller, but keeper-sized, sheepshead, black drum, and margates, all on live and dead shrimp.

Over in the surf pocket area, tournament anglers caught some redfish and bluefish on artificial lures, along with a few jack crevalle.

South Jetty

Over here, the early morning high tides have been producing much of the same action, with small snook, catch-and-release redfish, bluefish, and jack crevalle being caught on live baits and artificial lures.

On the outgoing tide, the tip of the jetty has been producing the usual cast of characters: sheepshead, margates, blue runners, and some small black drum. Live and dead shrimp have been the baits of choice.

T-Dock Area

The fishing back here has picked up again, too!

Over the weekend, I saw quite a few decent-sized sheepshead, black drum, and black margates caught on dead shrimp along the rocky shoreline and around the dock pilings.

I also saw and heard about quite a few snook being caught in this area. Most were too small to keep, but at least they were biting! Live pinfish, pigfish, and shrimp jigs were the main baits being used.

Both tides were producing fish, but the end of the incoming tide and the beginning of the outgoing tide seemed to be the better times to fish, especially when the water was a little cleaner.

Another species I heard about from the tournament anglers fishing this side of the inlet was flounder. Yeah, I said flounder! Lol.

We're getting closer to the time of year when they should start showing up as the water cools down. Flounder prefer cooler water, and December and January are typically good months for them, provided the conditions are right.

Looking Ahead

Well, everyone, that's it for this week! The fishing has definitely improved compared to what we've been seeing lately, and thank goodness for that!

This week is supposed to be pretty mild, with a cool-down expected over the weekend. Hopefully, the improved fishing continues!

Everyone have a great week, stay safe out there, and tight lines!"

- Snookman