JR,
Funny you should ask; I'm a So. Fla. transplant and have only been fishing this area since this past June (at least once a week). Up until Dec. 23, I have been sticking strictly to the Lagoon.
If you have seen me out there, you would easily recognize me by my smile:
The 23rd was my first try at the Inlet and it was a blast. Not being familiar with the launch at Smyrna Dunes, I chose to launch at the North Causeway which is about a 4mi. pedal to the inlet (tons of bait fish on the way).
I beached at Smyrna Dunes for a short break and to gear up. I made a quick cast of a live shrimp from the beach and hooked up a Blue right away.
My goal was to time it right and ride the tide out and back in later and I was lucky enough to get it right.
While in the inlet, there was tons of action and I was hooking up Blues faster than the bait (live shrimp and mullet) could sink. I managed to land a couple of Stingrays and one fish which I later learned was a Whiting. I was glad to have my Sidekicks on as it can get pretty rough in the inlet and, with the Blues chomping up my leaders, I had to focus on a lot of knot tying.
As soon as the tide turned, my time in the inlet was over as that current was a chore to keep stationary in.
Needless to say, I had a blast and that afternoon I was at the local bait and tackle store picking up a the right rigging to get to the bottom of the inlet, a new Shimano heavy action rod, and a Saragosa 5000 to fight the big fight. I also picked up a cheap casting net to try and get my share of those bait fish I saw.
If you ever want to venture out there, I could always use a fishing partner.
Mike