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Jupiter & Palm Beach Offshore Saltwater Fishing Report
Capt. Rob Mazzei
November 18, 2003
Jupiter - Saltwater Fishing Report
Rough sea conditions have hindered most efforts to get offshore for most if not all boats leaving Jupiter inlet this week.
Before the "big blow" we did get offshore and did OK. We bought gogs and runners, headed out to the "drop". Water Temps were in the high 70's and water condition were poor so we kept going to approx. 270 feet where we found a slight color change, temp break and some scattered dedris. Unfortunately the change went from brown to green. It looked like chcolate milk meeting pea soup, YUMMY, not. It was the best we could find and there were some reports of dolphin and sails being caught south of us.
The kite was a no-go, not enough wind. We bridled up several live baits and began our pursuit slow trolling the edge. Nothing, but by now the breeze picked up so we tried the kite again, "fly pelican fly" up it went. First bait goes out half way as we prepare the 2nd, as I'm letting the kite out further it takes a sharp dive downward and the marker ribbon in the air above the bait is gone, which the exact opposite was what's supposed to happen. Kite goes out and up, bait goes out and ribbon comes up into view to monitor the baits near the surface. "Something ain't right"
Well two 10-20lbs. dolphin each have hold of the baits and are pulling the kite down into the water.(Nightmare) I put the boat in gear to get tension on the kite line and tell the guys start cranking the bait rods like there's no tommorow. The plan semi-worked, one release clip popped, fish on! The far clip would not release in time and the fish jumped and spit the hook and the kite was soaring like an eagle.
After the fiasco, we regained our composure and reployed the baits and waited and waited.
Once we drifted into 130 feet, boredom dictated that we break out the sardines and try our luck at bottom fishing. Leaving the kite up and away from the boat made it easy to present our without hassle of tangles. Once our baits reached bottom there was a steady pick of yellowtails, mutton snapper, "trash fish" and two red grouper just under the size limit.
Still no sailfish for us but we were catching dinner.
The last few days has been fairly rough still, but some boats are getting out and catching sailfish and dolphin pretty consistently.
Peck's Lake turns on! Habla espanol!
Spanish mackerel have moved into there traditional haunt at Peck's Lake which is in between Jupiter and St. Lucie inlets. You can pretty much catch as many as you want but you will have to compete with all of the commercial boats for the fish. There were thirty boats cast netting tons of mackerel. I can't wait until the price per pound crashes do to the glut in the market. They may rape the resource but they won't get rich doing it.
Spoons and jigs will catch mackerel, be sure you've brought enough lures. Sharp teeth will account for many lost spoons and you'll be retying fairly often.
Check out www.ReelFine.com for up to date photos and info.
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