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Jupiter & Palm Beach Offshore Saltwater Fishing Report
Capt. Rob Mazzei
March 7, 2000
Jupiter - Saltwater Fishing Report
The highlight of the week: After trolling with no success for an hour or so, we shut down to change over to drift fishing the reef. The depth was 80 feet. We were slightly south of Palm Beach Inlet. A minute or two after shutting down, someone shouted, "Hey, I can see the bottom!" I double checked the sonar and confirmed the depth to be 80 feet. Looking over the side, I saw bottom too and it was getting clearer and moving right toward us. It seemed like a dream (or a nightmare!). Moments later, the largest manta ray I have ever seen appeared 10 feet below us and appeared wider than my boat. No doubt the next words (explicits) were "sharks"! Although I flew into a slight panic, I knew that "sharks" were a textbook scenario of Cobia:101.
We saw six of them, one being the size of a torpedo! They were not interested in a plain feather gulfstream jig. I fumbled in the cooler for some cut bait and squid to toss out, and I knew that they would not hang around for long. As the chum bait sank, they broke their daisy chain and turned more aggressive. Being very competitive, the cobia were now trying to be the first to the free meal. Along with the cut bait, the next jig got inhaled almost as it hit the water and the fish (not the torpedo) nearly took the rod out of my female passenger's grip, as she exclaimed, "what do I do now??" I shouted "hold on sister!" A second jig was tossed out and the same result occurred. Again, not the torpedo, but by now we had our hands full. With both cobia hooked on 10-pound baitcasting outfits, I wasn't betting against the odds. We concentrated our efforts on the battle, as the manta ray and the rest of the cobia swam off quietly.
Almost a half-hour later, the first fish was carefully gaffed and boxed immediately. The second was boated and released to catch up with the rest of his/her crewmembers. The estimated weight of each fish was approximately 30-35 pounds each. No slouches by any means.
Also caught during the week were two sailfish in 70 feet, north of Palm Beach Inlet. Several small dolphin, a wahoo and bonitas were also caught. The bait is still scarce, but anticipate some of the best action so far this year when it arrives! Good Luck.
Keep your lines tight and Good Fishing!!
Captain Rob Mazzei
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