Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report (Feb 23, 2026) — Muddy South Side, North Jetty Bite Window
Muddy water and shifting winds slowed fishing again at Sebastian Inlet, and this week’s report is another short one. Most of the action happened on the North Jetty, while the south side struggled after SSE winds late in the week turned the water into a muddy mess.
Midweek conditions briefly improved when water temperatures climbed to about 70 degrees from Wednesday through Friday. That short warm-up sparked a quick bite before the weather shifted again and cooled things back down.
North Jetty
The North Jetty produced nearly all the action last week.
During the early morning incoming tide just after sunrise, anglers were catching a mix of:
- Black drum
- Redfish
- A few slot and oversized snook
The best bait during this window was live shrimp fished at the jetty tip. Water clarity was noticeably better on the north side compared to the south jetty, which helped the bite.
Other species caught around the jetty included:
- Sheepshead around the pilings and rock pile
- A few decent whiting on the beach side
Sand fleas, shrimp, and fiddler crabs were the most productive baits for sheepshead.
During the outgoing tide, the action shifted to more aggressive fish:
- Bluefish
- Jack crevalle
Those fish were hitting just about anything thrown at them — live bait, cut bait, spoons, and jigs.
South Jetty
The South Jetty slowed down considerably once the SSE winds arrived late in the week. Those winds pushed muddy water into the area and shut down most of the fishing.
Very little action was reported here compared to the north side.
Surf – North & South
Surf fishing around the inlet was also slow due to the dirty water conditions.
Most of the catches reported from both beaches were:
- Catfish
- Stingrays
- Small sharks
Until the water clears up again, surf fishing will likely remain hit-or-miss.
Outlook
Conditions may stay rough for a few more days.
- Water temperature has dropped back down to about 68 degrees
- Winds are shifting more westerly
- Seas have kicked back up again
Fishing should improve once the inlet cleans up and water temperatures stabilize again.
That’s it in a nutshell for this week. You all have a great week!
– Snookman Wayne
Plan your trip: Tide Report & Moon Phase
Back to the archive: Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report Hub
Bait tip: Need bait before you hit the rocks? Swing by Saltwater Cowboy Bait & Tackle for live shrimp, seasonal baitfish, and frozen options.