LOCAL FISHING REPORT
Offshore
Off Jensen Beach, the king mackerel have been plentiful. One angler described it as “more than you could shake a stick at.”
They’ve been catching them across a wide area. All the way from the beaches out to the sand pile, they’re hitting live baits like greenies set up on stinger rigs.
There are still a few sailfish out there and they are mixed in with the kings.
Off Jupiter, the king mackerel bite also has been excellent. Anglers working depths from 80 to 120 feet are having excellent luck flatlining sardines or using Sea Witch lures in combination with either bonito or mullet strips.
The Sea Witch lure and bonito/mullet strip combination is also bringing in a few wahoo in the area. The wahoo bite should continue to pick up through the weekend with Sunday’s full moon.
The dolphin bite has been scattered in the area and most of the fish have been small. Before keeping one that may amount to a fish stick after being filleted, remember these fish grow incredibly fast and at one year they can weigh up to 20 pounds and make a meal.
Though some colder water moved in recently and really slowed down the bottom bite for snapper, the cold water has backed off and the bite has been called “on and off ” the past few days.
Inshore
If you like catching tarpon, the beaches in Jensen are the place to be right now. They are hammering small topwater lures early in the morning.
In addition to tarpon, there have also been jack crevalle, lady fish and Spanish mackerel along the beaches.
There is still a decent snook bite at the St. Lucie Inlet.
Though, this time of the year, the rivers are pretty warm, early morning anglers have landed a few triple tail and small trout.
One angler fishing the Jensen Causeway landed a massive, 50-inch black drum using a live crab.
Along the beaches in Jupiter, the fishing has been fantastic. Anglers are having a blast catching snook, pompano, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and blue runners. One shop owner said Wednesday before work, he caught four snook, including a 12-pounder, using a small artificial shrimp.
Remember, for snook, it’s catch and release only until the season starts Sept. 1.
Lake Okeechobee
The bass bite is still firing out on the lake. In the early mornings and late afternoons, artificial baits, including swim jigs, spinner baits and chatter baits, are working well. Anglers using jerk baits and working along the Kissimmee grass and boat trails are also having good luck. During mid-day, live shiners are the go-to bait.
King’s Bar and the area from Buckhead Ridge down to Third Point have been the hot spots.
Fishing for Mayan cichlids is still good along with bluegill in the rim canal and Kissimmee River.
Tournament
The third and final leg of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s Full Moon Wahoo Series will take place Saturday. Though teams Yellowfin and Ma’Honey currently hold the first- and secondplace spots with 50.4 and 50 pounds, respectively, one big fish still can take the tournament. There are cash prizes for the top three boats.
For information, visit westpalmbeachfishingclub.org.
— EDDIE RITZ
All fishing information provided by Snook Nook in Jensen Beach, Fishing Headquarters in Jupiter and Garrard’s Bait and Tackle in Okeechobee.