Gear & Tackle

Saltwater & Coast

Spin, Cast & Bait

Sebastian Inlet Fishing Guide

Florida

A 500-foot inlet through a barrier island state park between the Indian River Lagoon and the ocean, with fishing jetties on both sides.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Sebastian Inlet for redfish, snook, flounder, sheepshead and bluefish. In October, redfish, snook, flounder and bluefish are in season, and Walking Topwater, Paddle-Tail Swimbait and Bucktail Jig are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 25 miles; the closest is Long Point Bait & Tackle in Melbourne Beach, about 2 mi away. Indian River Lagoon (Vero Beach) is about 16 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Redfish
Snook
Flounder
Sheepshead
Bluefish
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What You'll Catch

Sebastian Inlet Species

Redfish

Redfish

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Snook

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Oct

Flounder

Flounder

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to May, Sep to Nov

Sheepshead

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Dec to Apr

Bluefish

Bluefish

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: May to Oct

Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; NOAA Fisheries. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

11 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Bluefish, Snook, Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Flounder, Snook, Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Bucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Flounder

    Shop This Lure

  • Weedless Gold Spoon 1/4 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Popping Cork Rig 18 to 30 in leader

    Lure

    Rig · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Metal Jig 1/2 to 3 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Bluefish

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Shrimp 2 to 4 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Sheepshead, Snook, Redfish

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Bluefish, Redfish

  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Flounder · Mud minnows or finger mullet.

  • Sand Fleas Small

    Bait

    Live Bait · Redfish · Surf.

  • Live Pinfish and Mullet 3 to 6 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Snook

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Redfish

Fly 9 ft 8 wt rod, floating redfish line, 16 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Snook

Fly 9 ft 8 or 9 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, 30 to 40 lb bite leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 reel, 20 lb braid with a 30 to 40 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Flounder

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid, Carolina rig or bucktail.

Sheepshead

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod with a sensitive tip, 3000 reel, 20 lb braid, fiddler crabs on a small strong hook.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Sebastian Inlet

Floats & Rigs

Cajun Thunder Popping Cork

The clacking cork that calls trout and reds to shrimp or a soft plastic.

Check Price

Leaders & Tippet

Seaguar Tarpon Leader Material

Heavy fluorocarbon shock leader that survives tarpon jaws and gill plates.

Check Price

Jigs

Spro Bucktail Jigs

Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.

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Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

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Metal Jigs

Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig

A small, heavy casting jig for fast-moving albies and mackerel.

Check Price

Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

Check Price

Soft Plastics

Berkley Gulp! Shrimp

Scented shrimp that out-fish plain plastics on a jighead or under a cork.

Check Price

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Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Sebastian Inlet

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Sebastian Inlet

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 16 mi

Indian River Lagoon (Vero Beach)

The lagoon along Vero Beach, where creek and river water meets the ocean tide, holding redfish, snook, and tarpon.

Redfish · Snook · Tarpon

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 34 mi

Banana River

The arm of the Indian River Lagoon between Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach, with boat ramps and kayak launches and redfish, snook, and tarpon.

Redfish · Snook · Tarpon

Lakes & Reservoirs · Florida · About 64 mi

Lake Tohopekaliga

A Kissimmee Chain lake near Orlando with grass flats and trophy largemouth.

Largemouth Bass · Crappie

Lakes & Reservoirs · Florida · About 66 mi

Lake Okeechobee

Shallow 730-square-mile lake known for trophy largemouth in the grass.

Largemouth Bass · Crappie · Bluegill

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 68 mi

Jupiter Inlet

The inlet joining the Loxahatchee River and the Intracoastal to the ocean, with a south jetty at Jupiter Beach Park fished for snook, bluefish, sheepshead, and jacks.

Snook · Bluefish · Sheepshead

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 72 mi

Mosquito Lagoon

A shallow, clear lagoon famous for sight-fishing to tailing and schooling redfish.

Redfish · Speckled Trout