Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report – Nov 24, 2025 (Clearing Water & Surprise Catches)
Good morning, Sebastian Inlet friends and fans! The weekend weather was about as nice as it gets — and with the water cleaning up, the bite has picked back up just like we hoped. Water temperatures are in a good range and improved clarity has had fish chewing again all around the inlet.
Most of the best action has been on the early-morning high tide and the late-evening high tide. Outgoing tides have produced some fish, but not with the same consistency or quality as the incoming highs. Here’s your breakdown by area.
North Jetty
The incoming tide has been the time to be out here. There were a couple of notable “surprise” catches over the weekend. One angler landed a solid cobia in the 50–60 pound class on an artificial lure Saturday morning.
A little later, another surprise showed up — a longnose gar, a freshwater species you almost never see on the jetty in salt water. Just goes to show, you never really know what might swim through Sebastian Inlet.
Over the rock pile at the tip, snook fishing has been pretty good early on the incoming tide. Live shrimp has been the go-to bait. Plenty of undersized fish, but a fair number of slot snook and a few overslot fish were caught and released.
Redfish, black drum, and pompano have also been caught in good numbers on live shrimp and cut dead shrimp.
On the beach side of the jetty, anglers found more snook, drum, reds, and pompano on similar baits. Spanish mackerel were active as well, hitting small jigs, silver spoons, and Gotcha-style plugs.
On the first part of the outgoing tide, before the water dirties up, some anglers picked off black drum, pompano, and sheepshead on cut dead shrimp. Once the water quality dropped, the bite shifted more toward small bluefish and jack crevalle.
Along the north shoreline rocks between the bait shop and the bridge, anglers reported some undersized mutton snapper (remember, they must be at least 18 inches to keep), along with some quality mangrove snapper. Sheepshead were also being caught here on live or cut shrimp.
South Jetty
The south side has been a bit slower overall, with shallower water and slightly reduced clarity compared to the north side, but fish are still being caught.
At the tip on the incoming tide, anglers are connecting with snook on live shrimp. Most were undersized, but a few slot fish were mixed in.
Along the rocks, small sheepshead, mangrove snapper, and a few black drum were caught on live and dead shrimp. On the outgoing tide at the tip, goofy jigs produced some nice pompano — one angler reported a full limit.
Cut shrimp on the bottom also produced black margates, jacks, blue runners, sheepshead, small mangrove snapper, puffers, and catfish. A few small bluefish were taken on spoons and jigs.
T-Dock Area
The T-Dock remains closed due to the ongoing dredging project and barge activity, so there hasn’t been any fishing directly off the dock.
The surrounding area has been on the slow side, but one angler reported catching small mangrove snapper around the tide pool rocks and having some light-tackle fun. Overall, it’s been pretty quiet back here.
Surf – North & South
The north-side surf around the jetty and just up the beach has been producing a nice mix of whiting, black drum, sheepshead, pompano, and bluefish. Cut dead shrimp and live sand fleas have been the key baits.
The south-side surf has looked similar with calm, cleaner water bringing more fish into range. One bonus on this side is anglers catching more pompano just south of the jetty in a known “pompano hole,” though stingrays have been around as well.
That’s the rundown for this week — a big improvement over the tougher stretch we just came through. When the water cleans up, the inlet almost always responds; it just takes a little time.
– Snookman Wayne
Plan your trip: Tide Report & Moon Phase
Back to the archive: Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report Hub
Bait tip: When the water cleans up, fresh bait matters. Swing by Saltwater Cowboy Bait & Tackle for live shrimp, sand fleas (seasonal), and frozen bait before you hit the inlet.