The Space Coast is firing in every direction this week. Tarpon are stacked at both Sebastian and Ponce Inlets, the inshore snook bite is excellent, and a few late cobia are still showing offshore.
Tarpon at the Inlets
Sebastian Inlet is loaded with tarpon this week — rollers visible from the catwalk at first light. Live mullet, croakers, or large threadfins drifted through the inlet on the outgoing tide are the proven baits. Ponce Inlet is also holding solid numbers, especially on the south side at the rocks. The bite has been best the first two hours of light and again at sunset.
Snook in the Lagoons
Snook are on fire in the Indian River and Halifax River. Dock lights from New Smyrna up through Daytona are loaded at night — small white pilchards or live shrimp on a slow retrieve are the move. Daytime, the seawalls and bridge pilings along the Halifax produce on free-lined pilchards. The Ponce Inlet flats are also giving up snook to anglers throwing topwater at dawn.
Offshore and Beach
Cobia are still showing at the Port Canaveral sea buoy and along the beaches — late in the run but legitimate fish are getting caught daily. Spanish mackerel are blitzing on bait along the beaches from Ormond down to Sebastian. Pompano are winding down but a few are still being caught in the surf on sand fleas. Mahi action is starting to fire offshore for boats running 15–20 miles east.
Specific Spots This Week
Sebastian Inlet remains the marquee spot — work the catwalks at first light with live mullet on a 7/0 circle hook, or drift the inlet on outgoing tide. Ponce Inlet has been holding tarpon on the south side of the rocks and inside the cuts at the river mouth. For snook, the lights on the Halifax River from the Daytona Beach Pier south through Port Orange have been firing at night. The Tomoka River mouth is producing snook on the flats at dawn. Cobia anglers are working the Port Canaveral sea buoy and the beach south of Cocoa Beach — sight-casting from the bow with a bucktail when fish are spotted. The surf from Ormond down to Cape Canaveral has been giving up Spanish mackerel on Gotcha plugs in the suds.
Conditions and Outlook
Water temp 76–78°F. New moon Saturday — fish the moving water hard. Light easterly winds Wednesday/Thursday, picking up over the weekend. Dawn at the inlets is the move.
Local Intel This Week
Sebastian Inlet at first light is the top tarpon spot in the region right now — the catwalk and the rocks at the south side. Ponce Inlet on outgoing tide is the close second. Inside, the Halifax River dock lights from Wilbur-by-the-Sea up through Daytona Beach are loaded with snook after dark. The Indian River north of New Smyrna is producing trout and reds on the grass flats. Florida saltwater license required, snook stamp needed for harvest (season closed June-August). Tight lines.