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Jupiter & Palm Beach Offshore Saltwater Fishing Report
Capt. Rob Mazzei
January 7, 2004
Jupiter - Saltwater Fishing Report
Great Weather Slows Fishing
After a torrid start to this year’s sailfish season, warmer, calmer weather has slowed the bite considerably. For about three weeks we caught at least one sail every time out. And had several days when we were hooked up on four fish all at the same time. Most fish were caught on live blue runners and/or goggle eyes drifting in 100-200 feet of water east of Jupiter inlet. The last few productive outings were spent north of Jupiter, east of the Hobe Sound Loran tower. And as of late the best bite reasonably close has been around St Lucie inlet were sails are in close chasing threadfin herring.
If you missed the action don't be discouraged, a strong cold front is moving thru S. Florida as I write this report and there are two more forecasted to arrive by the weekend. Although not the best "boating" weather, the fishing should break open again in the next day or two.
The West Palm Beach Fishing Club's Silver Sailfish Derby starts today just as the weather is turning, so we should get some indication of what to expect this weekend.
The full moon has the live bait boats struggling to fill bait orders so if you're headed out be sure to bring some ballyhoo. There were several days last week when pods of Spanish sardines were outside of Jupiter Inlet, so keep a sabiki rod ready.
Kingfish have been around but not in any great abundance. We have caught some using dead sardines drifting in 70-90ft from the Juno pier to the Loran Tower. Last year they showed up at "The Zoo" in late January and stayed until September. Smaller fish were first to arrive with the smokers showing by spring. Let's hope the show again or fishing may be slow thru Feb and March until the bait schools move back in.
Dolphin have been pretty much a no show. Many consider them to be a summer time fish but last year at this time we were seeing them with some regularity and the past 2-3 summers have been dismal as far as dolphin go. We don't target them, we just do our thing and they show unexpectedly while trolling or drifting.
Wahoo fishing has been pretty good out in 200 feet. Rough see conditions have not enabled us to do the "high speed troll" for them but many have been caught by live baiting.
The most consistent action for most boats has been the snapper fishing. 80-120ft has produced many large mutton snapper as well as yellowtail and some lane snapper. We've had many a fish fry lately.
Spanish mackerel are thick as ever at Pecks Lake and so are the commercial netters with very bad attitudes. Small chartreuse color jigs were working this week, while spoons would not. Also we found that the fish schooling in dirty water were much more eager to strike than those we found in clear water. Moving around will help you find more aggressive fish.
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