Fishing spots in Indian River County

Indian River County runs from Sebastian Inlet south past Vero Beach, a barrier-island coast with the Atlantic on one side and the Indian River Lagoon on the other. Its headline spot is the south side of Sebastian Inlet, one of Florida's great snook and mullet-run fisheries, while causeways like the Wabasso Causeway give easy access to the lagoon's trout, redfish and snook. Quiet surf beaches between Vero Beach and the inlet add pompano and whiting in winter and spring, and the lagoon offers calm fishing when the ocean is rough.

Sebastian Inlet (south side)

• Character: A rock-lined inlet with a railed walkway on the south jetty, fast current and deep water.
• What it suits: Snook, redfish, jacks, bluefish and tarpon; sheepshead and drum in winter.
• Access: Sebastian Inlet State Park south entrance, park fee, 8 a.m. to sunset since November 2025.

Indian River Lagoon causeways

• Character: Shallow grass flats and channel edges with almost no tide; the Wabasso Causeway and the Vero Beach causeways.
• What it suits: Spotted seatrout, redfish, snook, black drum and sheepshead.
• Access: County causeway parks with free parking and boat ramps.

Vero Beach and the barrier-island surf

• Character: Open Atlantic beaches with nearshore reef and sand bars.
• What it suits: Pompano, whiting, bluefish and Spanish mackerel in the cooler months.
• Access: Numerous public beach parks with dune walkovers.

Season	Likely species (shore)	Notes
Spring (Mar-May)	Snook, redfish, pompano, whiting, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, trout	Snook return to the inlet; pompano peak on clean surf.
Summer (Jun-Aug)	Snook, tarpon, mangrove snapper, jacks, trout, ladyfish	Fish dawn and dusk; lightning most afternoons.
Fall (Sep-Nov)	Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, snook, redfish, jacks, tarpon	The mullet run is the county's biggest event.
Winter (Dec-Feb)	Sheepshead, black drum, pompano, whiting, trout	Cold fronts push fish into the inlet and deeper lagoon channels.

• Inlet: 7-9 ft medium-heavy rods, 30-50 lb braid, 40-60 lb leaders, live mullet or bucktail jigs.
• Lagoon: 10-15 lb braid with 20-25 lb fluorocarbon, soft plastics and live shrimp under popping corks.
• Surf: 10-12 ft surf rods, pompano rigs with sand fleas or Fishbites, 3-5 oz pyramid sinkers.
• Mullet run: Spoons, topwater plugs and swimbaits with a bite leader.
• A drop net or bridge gaff is essential on the jetties.

• Atlantic tides are semidiurnal (two highs and two lows a day) with a modest range of a few feet.
• Sebastian Inlet turns those tides into strong current; the outgoing is the classic snook tide.
• The Indian River Lagoon has almost no lunar tide away from the inlet; wind drives water movement there.
• Northeast swells make the inlet jetties and the surf rough; westerly winds give clean water.
• Heavy summer rain darkens the lagoon and pushes fish toward the inlet.

• Sebastian Inlet's current is dangerous; never swim or wade near the jetties.
• Jetty rocks are slick; stay on the walkways.
• Summer thunderstorms bring frequent lightning, usually in the afternoon.
• Rip currents are common on the surf beaches; shuffle your feet for stingrays.
• Causeways carry fast traffic; park only in designated lots.
• The south side of Sebastian Inlet State Park closes at sunset; the north side (Brevard County) stays open 24 hours.

• Plan fall trips around the mullet run, usually September to November.
• For night fishing at Sebastian Inlet, use the north jetty; the south side closes at sunset.
• Fish the downwind side of the lagoon causeways for trout.
• Pompano need clean, green water; check the surf after a few calm days.
• Carry heavier leaders than you think at the inlet; the rocks and barnacles cut line.
• Check Sebastian Inlet District and state park notices for jetty closures before driving.
• Buy live shrimp and bait on US 1 before heading to the lagoon parks.

• Brevard County – the north jetty of Sebastian Inlet, Cocoa Beach Pier and Port Canaveral.
• St. Lucie County – Fort Pierce Inlet and more Indian River Lagoon to the south.

• Do I need a fishing license in Indian River County?
  • Yes. A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt; see FWC (myfwc.com) for licenses and exemptions.
• When is the best time to fish Sebastian Inlet?
  • Fall, during the mullet run, and the outgoing tide at dawn or dusk for snook and redfish.
• Can I fish Sebastian Inlet at night?
  • The south side keeps 8 a.m. to sunset hours; the north jetty in Brevard County is open 24 hours.
• What can I catch in the Indian River Lagoon from shore?
  • Spotted seatrout, redfish, snook, black drum, sheepshead, jacks and ladyfish.
• Are there rules for snook and tarpon?
  • Yes, both have special permit, season and release rules; check current FWC regulations before keeping any fish.

Area	Coast character & access	Best species	Prime season	Go-to methods	Key safety notes	Facilities
Sebastian Inlet South Jetty	Rock jetty with walkway; state park fee; 8 a.m. to sunset	Snook, redfish, bluefish, jacks	Fall mullet run	Live mullet, bucktails, spoons	Fast current, slick rocks, boats	Restrooms, museums, campground
Wabasso Causeway	Lagoon causeway park; free parking; 7 a.m. to sunset	Trout, redfish, snook	Spring and fall	Popping cork and shrimp, soft plastics	Road traffic, stingrays	Restrooms, pavilions, boat ramp
Vero Beach surf	Open beaches with walkovers	Pompano, whiting, bluefish	Winter and spring	Pompano rigs, sand fleas	Rip currents, lightning	Beach-park restrooms