Sebastian Daily has received reports from local anglers that catches of snook and redfish at the Sebastian Inlet have been few and far between. Last week’s inclement weather posed challenges for anglers. Preferred baits included silver spoons, small jigs, live greenies, and shrimp.
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Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, some determined anglers reeled in redfish and jacks early last week before the weather deteriorated on Wednesday.
Wayne Landry, affectionately known in the area as “Snookman,” commented in his recent fishing update that the past week’s conditions at the inlet were far from optimal, with turbulent waves reaching 6-7 feet and winds howling at 25-35 mph. The North Jetty was virtually inaccessible, posing significant risks to any anglers braving the elements.
Landry also noted, “There were some fish being caught back inside the inlet in the more protected areas along the shorelines on both sides, west of the catwalk. I had reports and saw some nice sheepshead and black margate being caught on cut dead shrimp.”
Kirby Kitchener
Kirby Kitchener, who also doubles as a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Paradise, was fishing at the inlet early last Tuesday. With a mix of live and frozen shrimp and his trusty cast net, he seized the opportunity when he spotted a large school of Finger Mullet, capturing them for his bait bucket.
Using the freshly caught Finger Mullet, Kitchener landed a sizeable ladyfish on his sturdy PENN fishing setup, only to release it back into the water. His subsequent efforts rewarded him with a substantial redfish, which he returned to the ocean.
Targeting Black Drums, Kitchener switched to using ‘Stinky Shrimp’ as bait, so called for their stinky scent after being frozen post-fishing trips. Despite the strong current during the incoming tide, which complicated his efforts, he later moved to a spot on the Jetty’s center where the catch included bluefish, jacks, and Spanish Mackerel until the surf drove him away in the afternoon.
“I fished there for the rest of the day until around 3 p.m. when the waves started to come up over the railings, and I got soaked by an incoming wave,” Kitchener said.
Fishing Weather Outlook
The forecast in Sebastian is favorable for anglers, with nighttime temperatures dropping to the comfortable mid-60s and daily highs around 82 degrees. This cooler weather is expected to continue for the week, accompanied by persistent winds until the weekend.
Boaters are advised to heed the Small Craft Advisory, which is in place and may last throughout the week. Expect rough seas up to 6 feet until Wednesday, after which they should calm down to 2 to 3 feet. Additionally, the Intracoastal Waterway will experience light, choppy conditions with northeast winds at 10 to 15 knots.