Cobia Invade Jupiter and West Palm Beach
Capt. Rob Mazzei
April 2, 2008
Jupiter - Saltwater Fishing Report
Awesome Cobia fishing is taking place offshore the Jupiter and West Palm Beach inlets. For the last two weeks almost every Captain I've spoken with have said the same thing..."Cobia, the best bite for Cobia in years". In between windy days and rough seas we've been able to capitalize on the action.
On many ocassions fisherman associate Cobia fishing with chasing Manta Rays that cruise relatively shallow water close to the beach. For those who are unfamiliar with Cobia, one must understand there is a weird relationship between Cobia and Manta Rays. For whatever reason Cobes love to kind of hitch a ride and follow closely behind the Rays. Many boat Captains with Cobia fish by looking for the Rays.
That has not been the case as of late. The Cobia we have fished for and caught have in 90-180 feet of water. Some days we've found them inside the drop off and some on the outside. The chatter at the docks is that the Cobia schools have came in with the Bull Sharks the reside off West Palm Beach in the summer. Expect to loose a fish or two the sharks, it's an inevidable occurrence during the summer.
Larger Cobia have been caught on live goggle eyes fished deep, but most of ours have caught by drifting dead Sardines near the bottom. I know other boats have been deep jigging them as well.
Naturally we have not been "targeting" only Cobes. We've been kite fishing and drifting live bait, using goggle eyes. While doing so we've caught dolphin wahoo, sailfish, kings,amberjack and sharks. Fishing has been good and should only get better when the bait schools show up.
Jupiter Fishing Forecast:
Dolphin Days Ahead
Windy conditions are keeping most boaters at the dock. Relatively strong East/Southeast winds have prevailed for three or four days now.
Typically, a transitional period occurs this time of year. Fishing will be difficult for several days or weeks, due to unstable weather. To some, this occurrence is not a bad thing. After two or three months of hardcore sailfishing, many boats (and crews) need some kind of servicing. Get it done now! Any day, the seas will calm, and the easterly winds will have pushed clean, warm Gulfstream water close to our coast. Filled with weeds and other debris, the fish will follow. Change the line and grease your reels because as the bait moves in, fishing will break open.
Dolphin, sailfish, king macherel, amberjack, jack crevalle, cobia, snook, bonita and wahoo will be the target of many anglers. Trolling, live baiting or casting, those who put in their time are sure to score with a variety of fish. Deep jigging and bottom fishing will produce as well.
Get ready! Sooner or later a good body of fish will pass through our area. You know what they say about the early bird. As soon as the wind calms, I'll be out there for sure.
Hope to see you too!!
Target Species:
dolphin, wahoo, sailfish, cobia, king mackerel
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