The water has been clean and calm since Sunday at the North Jetty and South Jetty of the Sebastian Inlet. It should stay this way most of the week, so fishing is good.
For this week, most anglers tell Sebastian Daily they are catching more on the incoming tide at the Sebastian Inlet. But that can change for next week.
People are catching snook, redfish (catch & release only), black drum, sheepshead, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and jack crevalle. They are using live shrimp and artificial jigs as bait.
The Sebastian forecast calls for sunny skies all week with highs near 85 degrees. The overnight lows are near 63 degrees. Light winds from the southeast will be at 5 to 10 mph all week.
Drew Law
Drew Law (pictured above) made the drive from Melbourne, Florida, to the Sebastian Inlet and caught a snook from the South Jetty using NLBN 3-inch swimbait on a 5/8 jighead.
“I fish Sebastian at least once a week or so,” Law told Sebastian Daily.
Law used a Saltist MQ 2500 reel, which is designed to provide ultimately dependable power and performance. The reel is built around a heavy-duty aluminum frame for maximum durability.
Mac Antle
Mac Antle from Vero Beach caught a decent snook at the Sebastian Inlet using pilchard as bait. Pilchards can be used whole or cut in half to target snook or other fish. They are oily as bait and can attract a range of large fish.
He used a boat to fish both jetties.
Antle used a PENN Authority, which is a newer flagship reel. It’s a high-performance reel that features dependability and strength. We’ve seen many anglers using this type of reel at the inlet.
Snook
Snook meat is white and is excellent to eat when cooked right. It’s best eaten fresh because it doesn’t freeze well. They are easy to clean and not as bony as sheepshead or redfish.
Just remove the fillet, remove the skin, add some seasonings or marinade, and put it in the fridge. Then, it’s ready to cook.
Bluefish
Bluefish are good for eating, and catching them is easy. They are known as school fish, so they are seen in groups. But be careful when handling them because their teeth are very sharp.
Most of the bluefish caught around the two jetties at the inlet. However, some anglers catch them in the surf from the beaches.
Black Drum
Black drums are usually caught inshore in the Indian River Lagoon or the St. Sebastian River. It is common for these fish to take both live and dead bait, making them popular with anglers, including fly fishermen.
The Black drum is edible, with a moderate flavor, and is not oily. Some restaurants in Florida serve smaller black drums.
Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle are popular near the Sebastian Inlet and is closely related to pompano and amberjack. Many anglers say they are good fighting fish, an experience nothing you’ve seen before.
Regarding eating, anglers say they aren’t the best, but you have to prepare them to cook. Other anglers say there is no food value from the jack crevalle.
Spanish mackerel
Spanish mackerel is an excellent fish that can be fried, baked, poached, grilled, marinated, smoked, and barbecued. Spanish mackerel can also be deep-fried to make “fish & chips.”
The Spanish mackerel is one of the most sought-after in the ocean due to its exceptional taste and nutrient-packed meat. They have a very mild flavor that goes well with lime juice or melted butter.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead fish live around the Sebastian Inlet and piers and hang out near mangroves and reefs. Many anglers we speak with love eating sheepshead and describe them as being delicious, moist, and mouthwatering.
Some describe the meat as having a sweet shellfish-like taste. You can order the fish in restaurants or buy them at places like the Sebastian Seafood Market or the Indian River Seafood Market.
Pompano
The pompano is probably one of the best-tasting fish to eat. Some anglers even refer to them as one of the planet’s most edible fish. These fish have no scales, so you cook them with the skin.
Going Fishing?
If you plan to do some fishing, send us an email (or tag us @sebastian_daily on Instagram) with a picture of your catch, the fish you caught, and the reel & bait you used. Please include your full name and the city where you live. We love to receive your fishing pictures too!