Today's (July 8) forecast calls for partly cloudy skies becoming scattered thunderstorms by early afternoon, a high of 90 degrees, and SE winds at 8 mph. Oceans are one to two feet. Afternoon thunderstorms are in the forecast throughout the week. 

Our fishing guide, "Snookman" Wayne Landry says the fishing is finally improving as water clarity and temperatures improve: 

“Good morning, all my Sebastian Inlet friends and anglers. I  hope everyone had a great and safe July 4th weekend!! The weather was great, but hot! Here we go, off into a new week, with a new report. Fishing has been pretty steady at the inlet — similar to last week — but has picked up a bit on both sides due to the cleaner and calmer water. Also, the presence of baitfish, greenies and nice schools of finger mullet coming into and around the inlet. With that being said, off we go with the action spots: 

North jetty:  Most of the action has been on the tip of the jetty, during the outgoing tide, with live mullet or croakers. Nice-sized catch-and-release snook and redfish are being caught by jetty anglers and the boaters as well. Also monster-sized jack crevalle as pictured above. Large schools of them were spotted while I was down over the weekend, just swimming around at the tip about 50 to 100 yards away. Schools of large redfish were seen, too. The reds are coming inside the inlet to feed on small blue crabs leaving the inlet this time of year. Anglers are tossing large floating popper plugs at them when the reds are feeding on the surface around the gate area. Also, the big jack crevalle are present along with them. Heavy spinning tackle is required for these brutes to be landed. Both tides are continuing to produce small mangrove snappers on live and cut greenies, and shrimp. Most are too small to keep…10 inches, or just a tad over. The larger fish that appeared in June have left the building, but I'm sure they will return. Sheepshead are being caught around the pilings on this side during the  incoming tide. Cut shrimp, and a better bait are fiddler crabs if you can get some. 

South jetty: On this side, the water has cleaned up quite a bit, still not the best, but is producing good fishing. At the tip on the outgoing tide they are catching blue runners, jack crevalles of all sizes, black margates, and a few mangrove snappers. All on cut baits and shrimp. The incoming tide has been a bit better with the cleaner water, and because you have more area to cover with higher water. All along the shoreline from the tip to the bridge, anglers have been catching catch-and-release snook and reds on most any live baits fished, and also on small artificial swim baits. The mangrove snappers are taking cut and small live baits: greenies, small mojarras, and shrimp, live or dead. Again, most are too small, but there are some keepers if you weed through the small ones. Also, in this area, there have been sheepshead caught on cut shrimp, and the best bait, fiddler crabs if you can get some. 

T-dock area:  The fishing has been slow — only because I haven't seen many anglers back here. It doesn't mean that fish aren't here; just nobody fishing back here. Probably because it gets too hot compared to the breezy jetties where most are fishing.  

Surf area, both sides: Mirroring last week, few are fishing the beaches. The north side water has been largely clear and calm, but no anglers are around. The same goes for the south side. Typically, during this time of the year, you will see whiting, croakers and possibly black drum caught on shrimp, live or dead. Both sides. Also, on both sides with the schools of baitfish showing up, anything is possible, from snook and redfish, to tarpon, sharks, and large jack crevalles. All can be caught on live mullet cast-netted in the surf where you are fishing, and tossed back out on a rod. You never know. Heck, I have even seen and heard about large kingfish and cobia being caught by some lucky anglers who were in the right place, at the right time. 

That's all for this week: The fishing is little better than last week, but there remains room for improvement! Grab your gear, bait, and plenty of water, and get out there and catch a memory or dinner.”   -   Snookman.