Today's forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with afternoon thunderstorms, a high of 85 degrees, North winds of five to seven mph, and one to two-foot seas. Expect thunderstorms through Saturday.  

It’s time for our fishing guide, “Snookman” Wayne Landry to tell us about the great mullet migration known as the fall mullet run:

“Good morning, Sebastian Inlet friends, I hope everyone had a great weekend despite the afternoon thunder boomers and the rain. Fishing at the inlet wasn’t exceptional, but it was  steady. And I'd like to say, I believe the fall mullet run has officially started —During the last week and a half there have been thousands of mullet around the inlet and the beaches! Last weekend, the schools of mullet coming down the beach were nonstop all day, both days, and both sides of the inlet! Big mullet, small fingerling mullet, and the perfect ‘hand-sized’ mullet for the snook. I also would like to mention that with all the baitfish around now — greenies, pilchards and mullet —PLEASE, PLEASE cast netters only keep what you need and toss back any and all you don't need back into the water ASAP! It is one of our rules for fishing on the jetty, and also is a rule/regulation in FWC's law book. Please be good stewards of the jetty and our marine resources. Thank you. Also, snook season is now open and draws crowds, so please keep ALL your equipment, carts, coolers, buckets, chairs, and all else OUT of the safety walkway between the railings and yellow guidelines on the jetty. Your equipment belongs in the center of the jetty. The walkway is to be kept clear in case there are any medical emergencies and EMT access. Thank you. So here we go with all the action spots. 

North jetty: Out here all the action has been all about the redfish, quite a few have been caught at the tip on the outgoing tide, and on the inside on the incoming tide. Most of the fish being caught are in the 28 to 34-inch range caught on live finger mullet, mojarra and shrimp. All weekend I didn't see very many snook caught, just a few up top on the jetty on mojarra, but the boats fishing way out in the cleaner water were doing quite well on live pigfish, they were also catching the redfish as well. Mangrove snapper were biting well at the tip, in the rocks for those fishing live and cut greenies on the outgoing tide. Several fish I saw caught were in the 11 to 13-inch range.  Another species being caught were the lookdowns being caught on tiny white jigs at the tip, outgoing and incoming tide. On Saturday I did also see a few nice Spanish mackerel caught on gotcha lures, beech side of the jetty. There were millions of mullet of all sizes around the jetty both days, and the big jack crevalle were tearing them up at times, and were being caught on big live mullet, and spoons. Most of the jacks were in the 10 to 15-pound range! Along the seawall between the bait shop and the bridge, nice mangrove snapper were being caught on greenies and shrimp. The fish I saw were in the 11 to 12-inch range. That's pretty much it for this side. 

South jetty:  On this side the action was a bit slower, but still decent to keep you enticed. Lots of mullet over here as well. Outgoing at the tip was producing the big jack crevalle and redfish on the live and cut mullet. The guy's fishing shrimp were catching the normal fare: black margates, spot tail pins, mangrove snapper, and LOTS of puffers! On Sunday, one of my friends caught his limit of really nice pompano on the goofy jigs! Really nice fish in the two-pound range. Great table fare. The incoming tide was producing a few snook, but not very many, just enough to keep you interested. Live mojarra was the bait of choice. The water is still a bit too warm for the snook to "turn on"; 87 degrees as of this writing, even though we have the mullet run going, the water needs to drop down to around 78to 80 for them to get going. Some mangrove snapper are still biting on the incoming on live and dead greenies for those looking for them. The fish over here have been a bit smaller, 10-11 inches. The redfish are around as well being caught on live baits. That's it for over here.

T-Dock Area: The fishing has been pretty slow; the few anglers fishing back here have reported only puffers and smaller snappers being caught on shrimp and cut baits. With the schools of mullet coming in the inlet there is that possibility of the big jacks chasing them. Big spoons and jigs tossed to the channel area could produce a bite. The snook and redfish  fishing has been hit-or-miss, depending on the water quality and bait schools. 

Surf Area, both sides: Calmer, clearer water has improved the fishing a bit. The north side, with all the mullet coming down the beaches, has sparked the interest of all the predators — snook, tarpon, big jacks, redfish and sharks! In watching the mullet schools over the weekend, we witnessed all that going on up the beach just north of the jetty, was a very amazing thing to watch. Fish with either live mullet, big swim baits, or medium sized jigs to entice a bite when all the action is going on. For those fishing with fleas or shrimp, whiting are back on the menu, along with a few of the pompano that have made an appearance. South side, the exact same thing going on, except that there have been more pompano and whiting being caught with the cleaner water. 

Well, my fellow anglers, and friends, that pretty much wraps up another installment of what's going on at the inlet! Expect rainy afternoons with thunder boomers; be careful, have fun, and catch some fish. Have a great week!” - Snookman.