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Jupiter & Palm Beach Offshore Saltwater Fishing Report
Capt. Rob Mazzei
June 4, 2001
Jupiter - Saltwater Fishing Report
Bonito blast the "drop", sharks show to clean up shop.
Bonito(little tunny or false albacore as some call them) have invaded the coast from south of Boca Raton to north of Jupiter. From 85 feet to 180 they are literally all over. The 120 foot drop has been red hot. Trolling small feathers, plugs or small jetheads are what I use to locate a concentration of fish, then toss out a handful of chum baits and get ready for some serious light tackle action. Whether using fly gear, light spinners or casting outfits, I like to have at least 200 yards of line. Hook a 15lbs. bonito on 10lbs test and you’ve got some of the best light tackle action anywhere. If these fish jumped like other offshore sportsters the would, in my opinion one of the most popular gamefish out there.
Once located I toss out small pilchards or sardines castnetted around the inlet to get the fish worked up and feeding competetively. Even throw out cutbait, anything that shines will get there attention. Once the fish are spotted under the boat or busting on the surface. Throw out a small jig and crank in as fast as you can. Small topwater plugs work great once the bonito are on the surface chasing the pilchards. Keep an eye out for other offshore gamefish, sailfish, dolphin, wahoo, kingfish, sharks and even tuna and marlin have been seen investigating to commotion. Put out any larger live bait you have. The bigger the better because bonito will shy away from them and you’ve got a chance at one of the others.
Lemon and bullsharks have been following hooked fish to the surface, sometimes grabbing them and cutting them in half. If your desire is to catch one of these bad asses, either rehook a bonito or filet one up and use it. Send it down 60-100 feet and get the rod harness ready my friend. Shut off the cell phone because you’ll be tied up for 1-3 hours, depending on tackle and the size of the shark.
We did manage a 40lbs bull dolphin and lost another a little smaller. We were 22 miles out and found a small rip and weedline made up of turtle grass. I think it was the rip that attracted the fish because the weeds were sparse. Any way that was it and coming back in we found nothing else.
As reported previously, one day offshore conditions are excellent, the next, barren of any signs of feeding activity. That’s when the bonito pick up the slack.
Kingfish where north of Jupiter Inlet over the weekend in 90 feet and some wahoo were caught near Lost Tree in 100-300 feet.
I’ll be going up north for wedding number two. Anyone wanting to book a charter, I’ll be back in town June 18th. We got stripers to 20lbs in Jamaica Bay and Jones inlet last week. While it may be spring training for many northeast anglers, I did well putting some of techniques I learned in Florida to good use. Thanks Pete!
If it doesn’t have fins, props or hooters…count me out!!!
Capt. Rob-Sail King Sportfishing Charters
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