Blueline tilefish fishing out of Sebastian Inlet means deep ledge drops at about 700 ft. Big Easy puts the range at 680 to 740 ft, and the fish are worked with electric deep-drop reels. This guide covers when boats go, where they run, the grounds along the way, how the fishery is run locally and who runs it from this port. For the fish itself, read the blueline tilefish biology and range guide. For the wider coast, see the blueline tilefish fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the wider Atlantic Southeast guide.
When blueline tilefish are around Sebastian Inlet
The timing window here is August, and Big Easy’s report for that month is the local marker.
August, per Big Easy
Big Easy’s August report says: "It’s a good time for some tile fishing." The report says "tile fishing" and does not name the species, so treat it as a timing signal for the deep ledges rather than a blueline-specific season.
| Source | Month | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Big Easy | August | "It’s a good time for some tile fishing." |
Where boats run: the 700 ft ledges
Boats run to deep ledge drops. Big Easy gives 680 to 740 ft for tile fishing, so plan around about 700 ft.
680 to 740 ft
Most boats out of this port fish the reefs and bottom grounds at 65 to 100 ft. A 700 ft drop is roughly 7 to 10 times that depth, which changes the rod, the reel, the line and the time spent on each drop.
- Working depth: about 700 ft
- Range given for tile fishing: 680 to 740 ft
- Structure: deep ledge drops
Reading the ledge
The Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint shows where the bottom breaks toward 700 ft. Chart layers are not for navigation. Contours on the shelf break are only as good as the survey behind them, so treat a ledge as a place to look.
Grounds between the inlet and the ledge
The run out of Sebastian Inlet is a depth ladder, and each ground below is a reference point on the way to the 700 ft ledges. None of the shallow grounds is a tilefish ground.
| Ground | Depth | Distance from inlet |
|---|---|---|
| Sebastian Inlet jetties and T-dock | At the inlet | |
| Indian River County offshore artificial reefs (8 reefs) | 65 ft | 11 to 12 miles east |
| Big Easy reef complex | 85 and 90 ft | |
| Bottom ground north of the inlet | 100 ft | Just north of the inlet |
| Deep ledge drops (tile fishing, per Big Easy) | 680 to 740 ft | |
| Nauti Girl swordfish drop grounds | 1600 ft | 35 to 45 miles offshore of Melbourne and Sebastian |
Jetties and T-dock
The north and south jetties sit at the inlet, and the T-dock is the inlet’s dock area. Before the run, read the official NOAA marine forecast for wind, wave height and wave period.
Indian River County reefs
The Indian River County offshore artificial reefs are eight reefs in 65 ft of water, 11 to 12 miles east of Sebastian Inlet.
Big Easy 85 and 90 ft reefs
The Big Easy reef complex includes named reefs at 85 and 90 ft.
100 ft bottom north of the inlet
An unnamed bottom ground sits at 100 ft, just north of Sebastian Inlet.
Monster Hole
Monster Hole is a shoal near the inlet.
Gulf Stream edge and the 1600 ft swordfish grounds
The Gulf Stream edge shapes the offshore water. Below the tile ledges, the Nauti Girl swordfish drop grounds sit at 1600 ft, 35 to 45 miles offshore of Melbourne and Sebastian. They are the next ground down from the tile ledges and are not a tilefish ground.
How it is fished locally
Locals fish deep ledge drops with electric reels and heavy gear. For rigs and drop method, see the full deep-drop rigging and technique guide.
Electric reels, heavy line, 50 to 80 lb rods
Big Easy describes electric deep-drop reels with heavy line on 50 to 80 lb rods. That is the local setup for a 700 ft drop.
- Reel: electric deep-drop
- Line: heavy
- Rod class: 50 to 80 lb
The 12-hour deep-drop day
Nauti Girl lists a 12-hour deep-drop trip. Plan the day around that length, including fuel, the run out and the run back.
Who fishes for them out of Sebastian Inlet
Charter captains run this fishery from the inlet, and one local operation lists blueline tilefish.
Nauti Girl Sportfishing
Captain Scott Wigal runs the 22 ft Sea Chaser center console named Nauti Girl. Nauti Girl Sportfishing deep-drop trips list blueline tilefish and the 12-hour deep-drop format. The boat is a useful size reference if you are sizing your own.
FAQ: blueline tilefish out of Sebastian Inlet
What depth do you fish for blueline tilefish off Sebastian Inlet?
About 700 ft. Big Easy gives 680 to 740 ft for tile fishing on the deep ledge drops.
When is tile fishing good out of Sebastian Inlet?
August, per Big Easy: "It’s a good time for some tile fishing." The report does not name the species.
What gear do locals use?
Electric deep-drop reels with heavy line on 50 to 80 lb rods, per Big Easy.
Which charter runs deep-drop trips for blueline here?
Nauti Girl Sportfishing. Captain Scott Wigal runs a 12-hour deep-drop trip on the 22 ft Sea Chaser center console.
How far out are the swordfish grounds compared with the tile ledges?
The swordfish drop grounds sit at 1600 ft, 35 to 45 miles offshore of Melbourne and Sebastian. The tile ledges sit at 680 to 740 ft.
