Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report (Mar 9, 2026) — Cleaner North Jetty Bite, Muddy South Side
Spring-like weather finally showed up along the Space Coast last week, with warm temperatures and decent conditions overall. The winds and surf kicked up at times, but that didn’t stop a handful of species from biting around the inlet.
The biggest factor right now is water clarity. Dredging south of the inlet is pushing a lot of muddy water up the beach and into the south jetty on the incoming tide. Because of that, the north jetty has been the most productive area where the water stays cleaner.
North Jetty
Most of the action has been at the tip of the jetty over the rock pile on the incoming tide. Several snook have been caught over the last few days — some undersized, some oversized, and a handful of slot fish mixed in.
Live shrimp and live pinfish have been the best baits. A few catch-and-release redfish have also been mixed in with the snook bite.
Black drum and sheepshead continue to show up in decent numbers as well, both at the tip and along the beachside rocks. Anglers using live or dead shrimp and sand fleas have had the most success.
On the incoming tide I also saw some Spanish mackerel being caught on small jigs and Gotcha plugs.
Fishing the beachside of the jetty has produced a few pompano and whiting on shrimp and sand fleas.
When the tide switches to outgoing, anglers tossing jigs, spoons, and Gotchas are catching plenty of bluefish and Spanish mackerel. They aren’t very picky right now and will hit just about anything moving through the current.
South Jetty
The south side continues to struggle due to the muddy water caused by the dredging project. Visibility is extremely poor and most of the catches have been catfish, stingrays, and small sharks.
Anglers who can locate small pockets of cleaner water have managed to catch a few snook along the rocks on live shrimp, but when the dirty water pushes through the bite shuts down quickly.
There is still a chance to pick up sheepshead and black drum along the rocks if you can find cleaner water. Live or dead shrimp and sand fleas remain the best baits.
T-Dock Area
Fishing back here has been slow overall. A few sheepshead and small puppy drum (under 10 inches) have been caught on dead shrimp.
I heard reports of some whiting, although I didn’t personally see any landed. There were no reports of snook from shore, but one angler did catch an undersized snook from a boat.
On the outgoing tide, anglers throwing small spoons and jigs are picking up some bluefish and Spanish mackerel.
Surf – North & South
The south side surf remains heavily muddied from dredge outflow. Most of what’s being caught over there are catfish, stingrays, and small bonnethead sharks.
The north side surf, however, has been producing some solid catches of pompano, whiting, and black drum on shrimp, sand fleas, and Fishbites.
Anglers throwing jigs and spoons in the surf are also catching bluefish and Spanish mackerel.
Right now we’re in that typical spring transition period where the water temperatures are climbing. As of this writing the coastal water temperature is around 73°, and warmer conditions this week should keep things moving in the right direction.
Just remember the old saying: If March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb.
– Snookman Wayne
Plan your trip: Tide Report & Moon Phase
Back to the archive: Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report Hub
Bait tip: Stop by Saltwater Cowboy Bait & Tackle before you hit the rocks for live shrimp, fresh baitfish, and frozen options.