Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report (Mar 17, 2026) — Muddy South Side, Early Week Bite Then Weekend Slowdown
Fishing slowed down quite a bit over the weekend, and overall this was another short report. Earlier in the week things were actually pretty decent, but by the weekend the bite really dropped off.
The biggest issue right now is the muddy water on the south side from the dredging outflow, along with water temps slipping back into the upper 60s to low 70s after briefly warming up. That combination has made things inconsistent depending on where and when you’re fishing.
North Jetty
Early in the week (Monday through Wednesday) this was the best area to fish. There was a good snook and redfish bite on the outgoing tide using live shrimp, especially walking them along the jetty.
Quite a few snook were caught — most oversized, but there were some keepers mixed in. Redfish were also around but remain catch and release only.
At the tip, anglers were catching bluefish and jacks on spoons and jigs. On the incoming tide, there were some quality sheepshead caught around the pilings using shrimp, sandfleas, and fiddler crabs.
A few pompano were reported on the beachside using sandfleas, and along the rocks between the bait shop and bridge there were a couple sheepshead caught on incoming tide as well.
That said — this was mostly early week action. Things slowed down heading into the weekend.
South Jetty
This side has been very slow overall due to the muddy water conditions from dredging.
If you can find cleaner water on the incoming tide, there have been some undersized snook caught on live shrimp, along with a few redfish and sheepshead.
On the outgoing tide at the tip, most anglers were dealing with catfish, puffers, and stingrays on dead shrimp, with a few bluefish and jacks mixed in for those throwing jigs and spoons.
T-Dock Area
Not much to report back here this week. Between periodic dock closures and the cold, dirty water, there hasn’t been much fishing pressure — and not much action either.
Surf – North & South
South side: Pretty much a no-go right now due to the muddy water from dredging. It likely won’t clean up until closer to the end of April.
North side: This is where you want to be if you’re surf fishing. About 200 yards north of the jetty, where the sandbar drops off into deeper water, anglers are finding some action.
There have been pompano, whiting, sheepshead, and some black drum caught on shrimp, sandfleas, and Fishbites. The north parking lot area has been the most productive stretch.
That’s about it for this week. Like I said — it was decent early, but the weekend really slowed things down.
On a positive note, the bait and tackle shop in the park now has new owners and they’re working hard to get everything back up and running.
Have a great week everyone. It’s going to cool down again for a couple days — stay safe and stay well.
– 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, sandfleas, and everything you need to fish both the jetty and the surf.