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Jupiter & Palm Beach Offshore Saltwater Fishing Report
Capt. Rob Mazzei
October 18, 2005
Jupiter - Saltwater Fishing Report
Palm Beach Fishing Rebounds
Although Mother Nature has not cooperated lately inshore and offshore fishing has been excellent lately. Rough seas and bad weather has significantly hindered our ability to get offshore this fall and we’ve cancelled many trip. When have been able to get out we’ve done well fishing for dolphin, king mackerel, wahoo, sailfish and snapper.
Our first plan of attack has been to locate and cast net mullet for bait. The shoreline just west of Burt Reynolds Park has been loaded with schools of mullet so they have been fairly easy to find. Although I prefer the medium size mullet over the smaller “finger mullet” because they slow troll well and perform much better when fished from the kite, as of late we only have been able to “acquire” the finger mullet, which have worked just as well; you just have change the tired worn out baits for fresh lively one more often. Save the older baits for the bottom fish.
If you can get small jig past the bluefish and Spanish mackerel the are loads of blue runner along the beach south of the Juno Pier.
With the live well full we take off due east to where a fairly defined color change has been forming. Depending on wind direction the “edge” has been in 125-325 feet of water from Lost Tree to Jupiter Inlet. I slow troll 4 baits, two off the T-top, one flatline and one down rigger bait. If the fish are there it generally won’t take too long to see some action. Keep an eye out for birds and baitfish. We’ve also caught small sharks and barracuda on edge as well.
Trolling in 160 feet of water east of Jupiter we had a large wahoo sky rocket on the short flatline and miss, only to come back and get stuck, unfortunately the 150lbs fluorocarbon leader was enough and he was gone after scorching first run. We were trolling a blue and white Illander “out rider” at 7 knots just beyond the prop wash when we got the strike.
Snapper fishing has been almost as good as it gets in 60-100 feet of water from Palm Beach Inlet to north of Juno Beach. The better days have been when there is a moderate north current. Finger mullet, dead sardines and bonito chunks have all produced well.
We’ve caught king mackerel “up the line” from Singer Island to the Loran Tower much every time we drifted just north of Jupiter in 80-90 feet the kings covered us up. Double and triple-headers were common. Live mullet and dead sardines on a triple hook rig caught the kings. Most fish were under 10-12lbs.
Jupiter Inlet and the adjacent beaches have had sporadic action on tarpon, snook and jacks. Over the weekend the blues can in thick and provided steady action for those on the south jetty. Live mullet and cut bait are the most popular bait, but I’d rather throw a top water plug like a “chug bug” for the visual effect.
This hurricane season is not letting up. Tropical Storm Wilma is churning it up and is forecasted to come our way. I hope she’ll show mercy on those she affects. Good Luck and be safe.
HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
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