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Jupiter & Palm Beach Offshore Saltwater Fishing Report
Capt. Rob Mazzei
June 9, 2003
Jupiter - Saltwater Fishing Report
Slacking, but no slack!
While I might be slacking when it come to reporting, there has been no slack in the fishing line for those fishing off Palm Beach. Live bait of all sizes is everywhere and along with it are kingfish, sailfish, bonito, dolphin, shark, tarpon, cobia, snook and more. Several boats caught marlin as well.
Our highlight as of late has been the excellent sailfish bite outside of Jupiter inlet. We’ve caught sails in 65 feet and out to 200 feet. Out of the 5 last days out we’ve caught and released 6 sailfish, all caught on live bait. One sailfish we released had been caught and tagged by another angler. Upon notifying “The Billfish Foundation”, I was informed the fish had been caught, tagged and released by Capt. Pete Wilson aboard the “Tight Lines” in Morehead City, South Carolina in July or August of 2000.
In between battles with sailfish, we’ve caught kingfish up to 35lbs., giant bonito, several blackfin tuna, (one was 25lbs.) shark, and an occasional dolphin to 20lbs.
Threadfin herring (greenies) and pilchards, at times have been so thick in Jupiter inlet you could walk across them. Spanish sardines and cigar minnows are scattered but thick from the Juno pier to Hobe Sound in 10-40 feet of water. Smaller “chum baits” are inside the inlet and in the surf as well.
While catching bait be shore to keep an eye out for rolling tarpon. Unfortunately we haven’t caught one yet but I’ve seen some monsters rolling in the surf line that were very spooky. Other boats have been luck enough to catch and release these mighty warriors. I’ll be heading out at dusk to try for them.
Kingfishing has been good to incredible on some days. Early in the morning while drifting live baits we’ve had kings skyrocket on every bait we threw out. After the kings quiet down the bonito usually take their place and tire out the arms of already battle weary anglers.
While fighting bonito expect the sharks to come up underneath the struggling fish. Get him in quickly or you may have your hands full should you hook the shark as well. We had some very aggressive purpoise(s) come in and attack our bonito also.
Dolphin fishing has been inconsistent; one day many boats come in with large dolphin and then the next day none. We haven’t run way offshore much because it hasn’t been worth.
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