Sebastian Inlet to Eau Gallie Cswy. – January 2025

January is normally our coldest month of the year, but the cold fronts kept coming through early December bringing us colder weather than normal for several weeks. The cold weather slowed the bite down in the lagoon but the inlet bite was still pretty good except during the coldest and windiest days. Redfish and snook were all on the menu. The weather conditions have pushed some of the inshore bait to the beach and fired up the action.

The colder temps clean the water in the Indian River Lagoon quite a bit and the fish are lethargic. The trout have moved to deeper water and even into the inlet to get the bait flushing out along with warmer water. Long casts are the key to success in the Indian River Lagoon as the fish are wary due to the visibility. No need to get out early as the bite is better when the water warms up and we normally fish around the tides.

Anglers fishing the jetties and drifting the inlet on the outgoing tide in the evenings during or after a strong NE coldfront should have steady action with snook, jacks, bluefish, sharks and tarpon. Lures like Rapala’s X-Rap 14 and Long Cast 14 are great plugs to fish from the jetties as well as from the rocks along the west side of the bridge. Anglers drifting live bait between the fenders will have plenty of snook action as well as redfish and tarpon.

The flounder will still be in the inlet and anglers can catch them from shore and boat with live bait or 1/2- to 3/4-ounce jigs with strip baits or soft plastics like the D.O.A. Paddle tails or 4” jerkbaits.

If the rains aren’t strong and the locks stay closed, the trout, drum and redfish will move into the Sebastian River, Crane Creek and Turkey Creek. Live shrimp and finger mullet are great live baits or you can fish the Rapala Twitchin’ Mullet or Shadow Rap Shad around docks and oyster bars and catch some very nice trout as well as snook, jacks, ladyfish and the occasional redfish or tarpon.