The abrupt after-hours closure of the southern jetty at Sebastian Inlet, long a popular spot for night fishing, has left many local anglers upset and bewildered.
Anglers who prefer overnight fishing were blindsided 10 days ago when the Sebastian Inlet State Park, which has been open 24/7 for more than half a century, abruptly said it would henceforth be closed at sunset “for the safety of campers” at the park’s tent and recreational vehicle campground.
Park personnel did not provide any other information at first, but in an Oct. 22 email, Alexandra Kuchta, Communications Director for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, wrote to Vero Beach 32963, “As part of ongoing efforts to ensure a safe environment for all visitors, operating hours at the South Ranger Station entrance of Sebastian Inlet State Park have been adjusted to regular park hours of 8 a.m. to sunset.”
After-hours access would still be available for registered campers and those with annual visitor entrance passes, Kuchta wrote.
However, John Campbell, a member of the Sebastian Inlet District Board of Commissioners, said that park administrators first mentioned the plan to close the south jetty at night to commissioners at their Oct. 8 meeting, and said the reason was a shortage of funding for park rangers to operate the south ranger station at night.
Formal notice of the closure was provided to commissioners on Oct. 21, Campbell said.
The Inlet District and its commissioners have nothing to do with the decision and do not govern what happens at the park, Campbell said. Rather, the district is an independent taxing district and is responsible for maintaining the navigational channel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon.
“We work with the state park because the inlet is in the park,” Campell said. “This is the park department’s call. But I do hope that whatever the issues are, that they get worked out soon and the south jetty reopens at night.”
A banner on the park’s website now reads, “Effective Nov. 12, 2025: Operating hours at the South Ranger Station at Sebastian Inlet State Park will change to standard park operating hours (8 a.m. to sunset). After-hours access at the South Ranger Station will still be available for registered campers or visitors with an annual visitor entrance pass and an after-hours permit.”
The North Ranger Station will continue to operate 24 hours a day, providing around-the-clock access for all visitors, the banner says. The north jetty also has a boat ramp.
Fishing at night is different from fishing during the day, just as fishing on the south jetty is different from fishing at the north jetty, says Sebastian City Council member Chris Nunn. Closing the jetty at night also prohibits access to the boat ramp at the south jetty, Nunn adds..
“It really depends on the day and which way the water is moving, or if it’s high tide or low tide” that determines which fish might be biting, Nunn said. “Fishing is a whole different game after dark. Some fish, like snook, feed more often at night.
“And each side of the inlet is a totally different experience. Night fishing is a big thing. Some people are there every single night. For some, that’s how they provide food for their families,” he said. “As a council member, I would like to have seen more transparency from the decision makers and an opportunity for public input. That’s a state park funded by taxpayers. It belongs to the citizens.”
Photos by Joshua Kodis
