Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report – Jan 5, 2026 (New Year, Cold Water & Jetty Rules)
Good morning all my Sebastian Inlet fans and fanatics! I hope you all had a nice and enjoyable New Year’s. Here we go with our first fishing report of 2026.
First off, I’d like to start with a few jetty safety reminders — rules that are posted on the big sign on the way out to the jetty for everyone’s safety and enjoyment.
- Live clams rule: Live clams in the shell are NOT permitted on the jetty. You must shuck them at the cleaning station and take the meat out in a container.
- Two rods max: Only TWO rods in the water per angler, and do not strap rods to the railing.
- Behavior reminder: Obnoxious or vulgar rule-breaking behavior will not be tolerated. Keep it clean and courteous for families, women, and kids.
North Jetty
The action has been mostly on the early morning high tide phase with the black drum (aka “big uglies”) biting at the tip on clams and both dead and live shrimp. Pieces of live blue crab are also an excellent bait.
A few small snook have been caught on live shrimp, but not many due to cold water temperatures (65–67°F).
Keeper Spanish mackerel and bluefish have been caught on silver spoons and jigs on both tides. Sheepshead have been biting around the pilings on live fiddler crabs and shrimp.
Beach side on dead shrimp has produced some small whiting and an occasional pompano. Back toward the bridge (between the bait shop and bridge) on the incoming tide, a few sheepshead have been caught on shrimp and sand fleas.
South Jetty
Incoming tide at the tip (beach side) has produced a few nice pompano on goofy jigs when the water is clean and temperatures are right.
On the inlet side during the same tide, some small snook have been caught on live baits — remember, snook season is closed until February 1st.
Closer to the bridge along the seawall on the incoming tide, there has been some solid flounder caught on live finger mullet in the 3–4 lb class.
Outgoing tide at the tip has produced small to medium bluefish on jigs, bait, and silver spoons. Dead shrimp has also produced black margates, whiting, sheepshead, and a pompano or two.
The surf pocket area has finally started producing decent flounder on small rubber swimbaits and small live finger mullet or mud minnows — most fish in the 14–16 inch range and legal keepers.
T-Dock Area
The big story back here is the flounder bite between the cleaning station and the bridge. Flounder in the 3–5 lb range have been caught on live finger mullet.
Either tide can work — you just need to be there when they decide to move.
Fishing on the dock has also produced small Spanish mackerel and bluefish on small swimbaits and silver spoons. Incoming tide works best when it isn’t moving too fast.
Surf – North & South
South-side surf has produced some flounder between the jetty and sandbar where it meets the beach on live shrimp and finger mullet.
Shrimp and sand flea anglers have also picked up a few pompano and whiting.
North-side surf is similar but without the flounder — add in some black drum. Best water has been north of the jetty near the northern-most parking lot where a large sandbar keeps the water shallow.
Well folks, that’s it for this week. Still kind of slow for cold-water species, but the weather looks good. If you get out, I hope you catch something!
Happy New Year everyone — hope it’s a good and prosperous one!!
– Snookman Wayne
Plan your trip: Tide Report & Moon Phase
Back to the archive: Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report Hub
Bait tip: Start the year right — stop by Saltwater Cowboy Bait & Tackle for live shrimp, finger mullet, mud minnows (seasonal), and frozen bait.