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Jupiter & Palm Beach Offshore Saltwater Fishing Report
Capt. Rob Mazzei
January 19, 2001
Jupiter - Saltwater Fishing Report
Warmer temps and Wahoo
Warmer temperatures have prevailed over South Florida the last week, making the early morning run to the hotspots more bearable. Easterly winds blowing over the gulfstream have pushed warmer water inshore as well.
Sailfishing has tapered off a bit, which is not at all that horrible now that bait prices have reached $100.00 out of Palm Beach Inlet. Out of Jupiter, goggle eyes are now $60.00. May be we can contact the governor and ask for a "state of emergency". Maybe he’ll enact a goggle relief bill or they’ll offer a goggle eye license tag for your vehicle. I believe that Palm Beach should make the "gog" the representative for the county. Well then, enough politics. Another cold front is due this weekend so the excellent sail bite should continue.
Wahoo were not at all discouraged by the lack of bait. They could be had high speed trolling with artificials or horse ballyhoo rigged with an Islander. I’ve been using a wire line outfit and a black and purple Billy Bait. We managed several over the last couple of days working "the drop" out to 250 feet. The key to success is to get the bait down below the surface and pick up your trolling speed. Be reasonable, but you really can not troll too fast for a wahoo. Generally, sea conditions and gas prices will determine what speed is best.
Dolphin have been plentiful, but scattered. With no hard defined edge or weed line, covering a lot of water seems to be the best way to locate them. Of course finding a float will usually pay off, providing it hasn’t been worked to death by other anglers. When high speed trolling, I’ll put out a tuna clone or Jap feather on the outrigger lines. I’ll use a little heavier than normal lure because I don't want them flying out of the water when trolling fast. Dolphin love them and so do bonitos, which when the fishing slow can save the day.
Kingfish have been around all winter, being mostly an incidental catch this time of the year. Most anglers don’t specifically target kings in the winter because they know come spring time, kingfishing will bust loose and you don’t have to watch your expensive goggle eye and "Owner" hook get sliced off when the school finds you. Smokers will be plentiful in a couple of months.
Cobia have been in the area, but the water south of Jupiter Inlet is really dirty due to the sand replenishment program that taking place off Palm Beach, so run north. I hope the silt will settle and clear water will be here when the baitfish move in. They may not stay if the water conditions are not good.
I’ve heard reports of mako sharks and white marlin being caught in our area, so we know anything can happen, any time you put a bait out behind the boat. Be ready, you never know.
Tight lines and good luck! Captain Rob Mazzei
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