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| Picture curtesy of the Florida Park Service. |
Sebastian Inlet State Park is a Florida State Park located 10 miles
south of Melbourne Beach, Florida. The park rests on the border
of Brevard and Indian River county. The land for the park was
acquired by the state of Florida in 1971.
The park occupies 755 acres (3.06 km²) on the barrier island on
the Atlantic coast of Brevard County, at a point where a channel
links the Indian River intracoastal waterway with the Atlantic. It
incorporates the McLarty Treasure Museum, which displays
exhibits relating to the wreck in the area of a Spanish fleet in 1715.
The park mainly provides leisure activities, particularly fishing
and surfing. Fish from both its Atlantic and Indian River shores;
fishing jetties extend from both sides of the inlet into the ocean.
There are facilities for swimming, surfing, snorkeling and scuba
diving from the 5 km (3 miles) of Atlantic beach. Boats can be
launched into the Indian River, and there is a marina complex at
the north end of the park. Camping is permitted. Unlike many
state parks, Sebastian Inlet is open 24 hours per day.
Wildlife is abundant in the park, and the casual visitor can
reasonably hope to see ospreys, egrets, pelicans, gulls, terns and
many species of shorebird. Sea turtles nest in the park, and
during the summer visitors may make reservations for a
nighttime foray to observe nesting Loggerhead Turtles.
south of Melbourne Beach, Florida. The park rests on the border
of Brevard and Indian River county. The land for the park was
acquired by the state of Florida in 1971.
The park occupies 755 acres (3.06 km²) on the barrier island on
the Atlantic coast of Brevard County, at a point where a channel
links the Indian River intracoastal waterway with the Atlantic. It
incorporates the McLarty Treasure Museum, which displays
exhibits relating to the wreck in the area of a Spanish fleet in 1715.
The park mainly provides leisure activities, particularly fishing
and surfing. Fish from both its Atlantic and Indian River shores;
fishing jetties extend from both sides of the inlet into the ocean.
There are facilities for swimming, surfing, snorkeling and scuba
diving from the 5 km (3 miles) of Atlantic beach. Boats can be
launched into the Indian River, and there is a marina complex at
the north end of the park. Camping is permitted. Unlike many
state parks, Sebastian Inlet is open 24 hours per day.
Wildlife is abundant in the park, and the casual visitor can
reasonably hope to see ospreys, egrets, pelicans, gulls, terns and
many species of shorebird. Sea turtles nest in the park, and
during the summer visitors may make reservations for a
nighttime foray to observe nesting Loggerhead Turtles.
Click here for extended history on the natural
and man-made creation of Sebastian Inlet!
Awesome photos as well!
and man-made creation of Sebastian Inlet!
Awesome photos as well!
Sebastian Inlet
| www.fishbrevard.com |
Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report Archives
Sebastian Inlet, Dec 14, 2006
Many anglers will target snook this last evening before the season closes
on the 15th of December. Live baits are probably the best bet, especially
hand-picked shrimp, live pigfish and pinfish, though some anglers continue
to get snook on flair jigs and bucktails. The catwalks and jetties are the best
producers with live baits for shore bound anglers, while artificials are
working well west of the bridge along the channel edge.
Flounder catches are very slow, though a few big fish continue to show up,
including a few to 9 pounds yesterday. Most of the flounder are being
caught along the north side, both east and west of the bridge where live
finger mullet is the choice bait.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are patrolling in and around the inlet,
especially during tide changes and are hitting artificial baits. Bright, flashy
jigs, spoons and small plugs, especially the Gotcha Plugs, are excellent for
the mackerel, who prefer small prey like glass minnows. Bluefish will hit just
about anything that mimics a mullet or menhaden, however, jigs and spoons
are preferred.
Sebasitan Inlet - Dec 6, 2006
Wildcat Bait and Tackle, located in Indialantic, reports some big black drum
and redfish being caught along the north jetty and north side catwalks this
week. Anglers are generally fishing with cut crabs or live shrimp, with one
giant black drum of 55 pounds being reported. Angel Rosa caught and
released a 56-inch redfish from the north side catwalk - truly a huge redfish!
Snook anglers are still getting fish at night on bucktail and flair jigs
throughout the inlet, though the jetties, catwalks and south side rocks
continue to be the favorite spots. Outgoing tide and tide changes have been
producing best.
Flounder catches have slowed considerably, however, persistent anglers
are getting some fish up to 5 and 7 pounds on live finger mullet, mud
minnows and shrimp worked along the bottom. Some of the best catches
have been coming along the catwalks and east of the bridge, including the
south jetty. Charlie Harris, of Cocoa, was fishing from a boat last Saturday
and caught a fat southern flounder of 10 and 1/2 pounds on a live finger
mullet.
Sebastian Inlet - Nov 30, 2006
The flounder bite has slowed down to a crawl despite numerous anglers
lining the shorelines and anchoring up in boats throughout the inlet. Today, I
saw 6 legal-sized flounder caught during the 6 hours I fished the inlet, two
short fish and the rest was a mixture of bluefish, jacks and other odd
species. Two fish caught today were in the 6 to 7 pound range. I caught two
flatties up to 2 pounds.
My best guess why the flounder have slowed down so much is due to the
nasty water conditions. Outgoing tide is fairly clean, however incoming tide
is silty, sandy and full of weeds. And it's no wonder, the wind has been
howling for days. Even if the fish were biting, it's hard to work a bait on the
bottom without getting 20 pounds of weeds. I recommend letting the
weather calm for a few days before targeting flounder.
In addition to the flounder, the Spanish mackerel that have been dominating
the tide changes recently were absent today, no doubt due to the horrid
water conditions. Expect them to return with cleaner water. The mackerel
we've been catching along the inlet channel have been up to 3 and a half
pounds - we're getting them while targeting flounder with live finger mullet,
but small spoons, jigs and Sea Shark lures work great with a short piece of
wire leader.
The only fish I saw in abundance today were catfish, both sail cats and hard
heads, which were hitting all manner of natural and artificial baits.
Sebastian Inlet - Nov 25, 2006
Schooling menhaden are fairly thick inside the inlet during nighttime periods
and during outgoing tides which seems to be keeping snook fairly active,
despite the cold temperatures and blustery conditions. Anglers are picking
up snook at night on live baits and artificials. The best artificials seem to be
chartreuse or red and white-colored Bomber plugs and bright-colored flair
jigs, while live pigfish and pinfish are producing best for live baits. Snook
are scattered, coming from both jetties, catwalks and edges of the inlet
channel west of the bridge. Some over-sized redfish are also mixed in with
the snook.
Flounder have been the main attraction for many die-hard anglers that are
braving the strong winds and cold conditions. Catches are fair and not in
the numbers many anglers remember from years before. Tide changes
have been the best though anglers are picking up a few fish all through the
daytime tides. Live finger mullet is by far the best bait choice, with live mud
minnows and shrimp accounting for a few fish as well. Some anglers are
drifting with jigs along the inlet channel which can be productive, but usually
only during slow tides. Try tipping your jig with a strip of baitfish or use a
flashy grub body to intice the fish in murky water.
While fishing the inlet, I am seeing a lot of dangerous behavior, both by
boaters and shore fishermen. Remember when fishing from a boat in the
inlet, anchor with a grapple hook-type anchor for the best security. Most
boating accidents in the inlet occur when a boat cuts off another's anchor
line or the anchor pulls and sends the boat adrift. Standard Danfort-style
anchors are not best suited for the rocky inlet. I have even seen a small john
boat try to anchor with a mushroom anchor - total disaster in an inlet as swift
and shallow as Sebastian.
When navigating in a boat, stay clear of other boats to avoid possible
disasters. Try to fish behind your boat with the current to avoid snags rather
than casting long distances or up current. Use enough weight to keep your
bait on the bottom and lift gently to work the bait back slowly.
When fishing from shore, fish close rather than casting far out. The further
you cast, the more likely you are to lose your tackle in a snag. Shore-bound
anglers can easily work baits back in the current and cover more ground
without risking losing tackle.
Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and a large number of catfish are
also active in the inlet. Mackerel are usually most active during tide changes
and the begining of the outgoing tide where they are targeting pogies. Quite
a few under-sized grouper and protected Goliath grouper are also being
caught as the move out of the cold river into the inlet. Remember to release
these fish with care.
Flounder catches have decreased right along with the weather. Before the
wind, anglers were finding fair numbers of small flat fish, both Gulf and
Southern Flounder species, with a few larger Southern flounder mixed in.
As the winds set in, anglers were getting less and less flounder and more
catfish and sting rays. Flounder catches should improve as winds subside
and water clarity improves. Live finger mullet and mud minnows are the best
baits, though anglers are getting fish on live shrimp, mojarras and jigs
tipped with strips of baitfish.
Large schools of baitfish, menhaden mostly, have moved into the inlet and
may intice snook, redfish, Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Incoming tides
are best as they are somewhat cleaner than the outgoing, with early
morning and late evenings being the prime time to find snook. Snook have
been hitting live baits and flair jigs fairly well. Try pigfish, pinfish,
hand-picked shrimp or finger mullet along the inlet channel, around the
bridge and around the jetties.
Bluefish, mackerel and jack crevalle are ambushing baitfish in the inlet
during tide changes and can be seen chasing bait along the surface. Try
casting spoons, jigs or free-lined live baits for these fish.
Sebastian Inlet, Dec 14, 2006
Many anglers will target snook this last evening before the season closes
on the 15th of December. Live baits are probably the best bet, especially
hand-picked shrimp, live pigfish and pinfish, though some anglers continue
to get snook on flair jigs and bucktails. The catwalks and jetties are the best
producers with live baits for shore bound anglers, while artificials are
working well west of the bridge along the channel edge.
Flounder catches are very slow, though a few big fish continue to show up,
including a few to 9 pounds yesterday. Most of the flounder are being
caught along the north side, both east and west of the bridge where live
finger mullet is the choice bait.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are patrolling in and around the inlet,
especially during tide changes and are hitting artificial baits. Bright, flashy
jigs, spoons and small plugs, especially the Gotcha Plugs, are excellent for
the mackerel, who prefer small prey like glass minnows. Bluefish will hit just
about anything that mimics a mullet or menhaden, however, jigs and spoons
are preferred.
Sebasitan Inlet - Dec 6, 2006
Wildcat Bait and Tackle, located in Indialantic, reports some big black drum
and redfish being caught along the north jetty and north side catwalks this
week. Anglers are generally fishing with cut crabs or live shrimp, with one
giant black drum of 55 pounds being reported. Angel Rosa caught and
released a 56-inch redfish from the north side catwalk - truly a huge redfish!
Snook anglers are still getting fish at night on bucktail and flair jigs
throughout the inlet, though the jetties, catwalks and south side rocks
continue to be the favorite spots. Outgoing tide and tide changes have been
producing best.
Flounder catches have slowed considerably, however, persistent anglers
are getting some fish up to 5 and 7 pounds on live finger mullet, mud
minnows and shrimp worked along the bottom. Some of the best catches
have been coming along the catwalks and east of the bridge, including the
south jetty. Charlie Harris, of Cocoa, was fishing from a boat last Saturday
and caught a fat southern flounder of 10 and 1/2 pounds on a live finger
mullet.
Sebastian Inlet - Nov 30, 2006
The flounder bite has slowed down to a crawl despite numerous anglers
lining the shorelines and anchoring up in boats throughout the inlet. Today, I
saw 6 legal-sized flounder caught during the 6 hours I fished the inlet, two
short fish and the rest was a mixture of bluefish, jacks and other odd
species. Two fish caught today were in the 6 to 7 pound range. I caught two
flatties up to 2 pounds.
My best guess why the flounder have slowed down so much is due to the
nasty water conditions. Outgoing tide is fairly clean, however incoming tide
is silty, sandy and full of weeds. And it's no wonder, the wind has been
howling for days. Even if the fish were biting, it's hard to work a bait on the
bottom without getting 20 pounds of weeds. I recommend letting the
weather calm for a few days before targeting flounder.
In addition to the flounder, the Spanish mackerel that have been dominating
the tide changes recently were absent today, no doubt due to the horrid
water conditions. Expect them to return with cleaner water. The mackerel
we've been catching along the inlet channel have been up to 3 and a half
pounds - we're getting them while targeting flounder with live finger mullet,
but small spoons, jigs and Sea Shark lures work great with a short piece of
wire leader.
The only fish I saw in abundance today were catfish, both sail cats and hard
heads, which were hitting all manner of natural and artificial baits.
Sebastian Inlet - Nov 25, 2006
Schooling menhaden are fairly thick inside the inlet during nighttime periods
and during outgoing tides which seems to be keeping snook fairly active,
despite the cold temperatures and blustery conditions. Anglers are picking
up snook at night on live baits and artificials. The best artificials seem to be
chartreuse or red and white-colored Bomber plugs and bright-colored flair
jigs, while live pigfish and pinfish are producing best for live baits. Snook
are scattered, coming from both jetties, catwalks and edges of the inlet
channel west of the bridge. Some over-sized redfish are also mixed in with
the snook.
Flounder have been the main attraction for many die-hard anglers that are
braving the strong winds and cold conditions. Catches are fair and not in
the numbers many anglers remember from years before. Tide changes
have been the best though anglers are picking up a few fish all through the
daytime tides. Live finger mullet is by far the best bait choice, with live mud
minnows and shrimp accounting for a few fish as well. Some anglers are
drifting with jigs along the inlet channel which can be productive, but usually
only during slow tides. Try tipping your jig with a strip of baitfish or use a
flashy grub body to intice the fish in murky water.
While fishing the inlet, I am seeing a lot of dangerous behavior, both by
boaters and shore fishermen. Remember when fishing from a boat in the
inlet, anchor with a grapple hook-type anchor for the best security. Most
boating accidents in the inlet occur when a boat cuts off another's anchor
line or the anchor pulls and sends the boat adrift. Standard Danfort-style
anchors are not best suited for the rocky inlet. I have even seen a small john
boat try to anchor with a mushroom anchor - total disaster in an inlet as swift
and shallow as Sebastian.
When navigating in a boat, stay clear of other boats to avoid possible
disasters. Try to fish behind your boat with the current to avoid snags rather
than casting long distances or up current. Use enough weight to keep your
bait on the bottom and lift gently to work the bait back slowly.
When fishing from shore, fish close rather than casting far out. The further
you cast, the more likely you are to lose your tackle in a snag. Shore-bound
anglers can easily work baits back in the current and cover more ground
without risking losing tackle.
Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and a large number of catfish are
also active in the inlet. Mackerel are usually most active during tide changes
and the begining of the outgoing tide where they are targeting pogies. Quite
a few under-sized grouper and protected Goliath grouper are also being
caught as the move out of the cold river into the inlet. Remember to release
these fish with care.
Flounder catches have decreased right along with the weather. Before the
wind, anglers were finding fair numbers of small flat fish, both Gulf and
Southern Flounder species, with a few larger Southern flounder mixed in.
As the winds set in, anglers were getting less and less flounder and more
catfish and sting rays. Flounder catches should improve as winds subside
and water clarity improves. Live finger mullet and mud minnows are the best
baits, though anglers are getting fish on live shrimp, mojarras and jigs
tipped with strips of baitfish.
Large schools of baitfish, menhaden mostly, have moved into the inlet and
may intice snook, redfish, Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Incoming tides
are best as they are somewhat cleaner than the outgoing, with early
morning and late evenings being the prime time to find snook. Snook have
been hitting live baits and flair jigs fairly well. Try pigfish, pinfish,
hand-picked shrimp or finger mullet along the inlet channel, around the
bridge and around the jetties.
Bluefish, mackerel and jack crevalle are ambushing baitfish in the inlet
during tide changes and can be seen chasing bait along the surface. Try
casting spoons, jigs or free-lined live baits for these fish.
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