Brevard County, FL · Atlantic Ocean
Sebastian Inlet
One of Florida's most famous shore fisheries — the jetties and catwalks at Sebastian Inlet, between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic, draw snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, black drum, and pompano in the rushing tidal current. Heavily fished from the state-park jetties.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout & Black Drum — tied at the top (0/100)
3 species tied for best of 3 tracked at Sebastian Inlet.
Special Marine Warning issued July 12 at 4:29PM EDT until July 12 at 4:45PM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:19 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 6:03 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 12:06 PM | Low | -0.8 ft |
| 6:52 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
Species at Sebastian Inlet
3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Red Drum Skip the Red Drum trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 83°F water — inside red drum's active range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 27"
- Daily creel
- 1
18–27" slot, 1/person/day (vessel limits vary by region; catch-and-release only in the Indian River Lagoon). Harvest prohibited in federal waters.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Spotted Seatrout Skip the Spotted Seatrout trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 83°F water — inside spotted seatrout's active range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 15"
- Max size
- 19"
- Daily creel
- 3
15–19" slot (one fish over 19" per vessel allowed); bag is 2–5/day depending on FWC management zone, with seasonal closures in some zones. Confirm your zone.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Black Drum Skip the Black Drum trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 83°F water — inside black drum's active range
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — black drum prefers incoming tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pogonias cromis — The red drum’s heavier, bottom-grubbing cousin — a deep-bodied sciaenid that roots crabs and shellfish off mud and oyster bottom across the Gulf and South Atlantic. "Puppy drum" in the slot are excellent eating; the giant bull black drum that mass to spawn around passes and jetties in late winter and spring can top 80 lb. A staple of Louisiana and Texas inshore fishing alongside redfish and speckled trout.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 2–40 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 24"
- Daily creel
- 5
Florida: 14–24" slot, 5/harvester/day; one over 24" allowed within the bag.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Atlantic Ocean
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Florida
Coordinates
Notes
FL: redfish and seatrout per the Atlantic-zone slots; snook (seasonal, stamp required) are the marquee jetty target. Indian River Lagoon zone rules may apply.
Local reports & rules for Sebastian Inlet: Florida FWC fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Sebastian Inlet?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Sebastian Inlet you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Sebastian Inlet?
Sebastian Inlet is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Sebastian Inlet?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Sebastian Inlet against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Sebastian Inlet have?
Sebastian Inlet has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. FL: redfish and seatrout per the Atlantic-zone slots; snook (seasonal, stamp required) are the marquee jetty target. Indian River Lagoon zone rules may apply.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Sebastian Inlet?
state agency regulations apply at Sebastian Inlet. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Sebastian Inlet tidal water?
Yes. Sebastian Inlet sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.