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Jupiter & Palm Beach Offshore Saltwater Fishing Report
Capt. Rob Mazzei
March 27, 2003
Jupiter - Saltwater Fishing Report
Slowly and steadily, after what seemed like forever, offshore fishing is returning to normal. The week before the last full moon and several days thereafter we experienced southwest winds, a south moving tide and relatively slow fishing.
Typically the gulf stream will move from south to north bringing with it clearer, warmer water. That occurrence was altered some how and the fish didn’t respond as normal.
This weekend some boats did catch several sailfish and reports are the current is returning too normal as the kingfish start to turn on again. The Jupiter Courier newspaper quoted a commercial fisherman as saying "this is the best kingfishing in 30 years." The action has attracted boats from all over Florida. Some days we where going through 2 boxes of spanish sardines in an hour or two and didn't miss any action as we threw jigs, spoons and swimming plugs on light spinning rods and did just as well. Most fish are under 15lbs., but with their annual migration still a few weeks away the larger "smokers" will be here soon.
On the days when offshore was slow we ran the beaches from Singer Island to just south of Pecks Lake. We found bluefish, spanish mackerel, jack crevelle and saw some huge tarpon that we couldn't get to bite but seeing them roll carelessly was enough to get the adrenaline going. We'll be heading at night when weather permits to score on the tarpon.
At Jupiter Inlet snook fishing has been slow. The guys are catching mostly moonfish on tiny jigs, I'll pass. I have seen some schools of small pilchards and menhaden milling about the inlet, so things should start to improve as the baits schools take up residence in their typical locales.
Schools of manta rays are cruising about in 10-60 feet and reports of cobia are still coming in. North of Stuart has seen the greatest concentration of cobia.
Those not worried about high gas prices have been running 10-20 mile offshore looking for prime conditions for marlin, dolphin, wahoo and tuna have struggled a bit. While schoolie dolphin and skipjack tuna have been caught it has been rather lackluster out in the deep. The larger dolphin have been mostly solitary and one or two "gaffers" have been caught by those live baiting in and around 200 feet and waiting and waiting and waiting.
Reports of live bait south of Palm Beach is encouraging and on occasion we've run north of Stuart to find acres of sardines and cigar minnows in 50-60 feet. We've fished while catching bait and scored with kings, bonito, barracuda and lost other unknown adversaries.
Look forward to fishing to improve dramatically over the next six weeks or so. I'm sure there will be slow day or two out there but overall look for conditions to improve.
Be sure to check out the Spring issue of the South Florida Sport Fishing Magazine for tips on kingfishing off Palm Beach.
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