
The use of a
fishing kite is an awesome, specialized technique that employs the use of a
special rod and reel, release clips and a kite. The kite is sent in the air
attached to rod designed for the task. Once the kite is flying high, live baits
such as Goggle Eyes or Blue Runners are hooked or bridled behind the head and
then the lines set in release clips attached to the kite outfit and then
suspended off the kite line. As the kite is let out further, it’ll carry the
baits out away from the boat. Keeping the bait near the surface is paramount,
the leader and all terminal tackle are suspended in the air, keeping them out of
site of weary game fish. The strike at times can be slow and deliberate as a
sailfish or dolphin inspect the bait, other times a Wahoo or “smoker” kingfish
or tuna will violently attack the bait, “skyrocketing” out of the water. All of
the action takes place in full view of the boat.
Trolling with artificial baits is the best way to cover water and locate
feeding fish. Weed lines, rips, floating debris and birds are good signs that
fish are in the area. Once a productive area is located, out go the natural
baits. Ballyhoo, Bonito strips and Mullet are preferred trolling baits once
feeding fish are located. Slow trolling live baits is a productive method for
the larger, weary and less aggressive fish. Trolling, then live baiting is
deadly and efficient one-two-punch combination and is the goal of many offshore
anglers.
When Wahoo, Dolphin and Tuna are the target. High speed trolling remains
one of the most productive techniques. The use of wire-line or high speed
planers allows one to present the baits below the surface where Bull Dolphin and
the tiger-like Wahoo lurk.
The use of teasers and dredge teasers to attract game fish close to the
boat has gained great popularity in recent years. The fish-like teasers rigged
in a series are fished behind the boat. Ballyhoo, squid or mullet look- a-likes
will skip and swim behind the prop wash and attract everything from marlin to
cobia to within casting distance of the boat.
Live chumming is a great way to get
fish stirred up and hungry. Having a large live well enables Capt. Rob to
acquire and retain large amounts of live baits. When live chumming, small
Pilchards or Menhaden are cast netted in the area, once at the “hot spot” these
“livies” are tactically tossed overboard thus creating an easy feeding
opportunity for any “sportster” in the area. The action can at times be fast and
furious and total mayhem can occur when everyone is hooked up and there are
still 50 fish swimming around under the boat looking for a free meal!
Circle hooks were at one time considered to be a fad, now are attached to
the end of even the some of the most experienced anglers lines. Most “pros” have
switched over to using circle hooks to assure a solid hook up and prevent
causing injury by gut hooking any fish. facilitating a safe and easy release.
The trick is not is set the hook, just let the line come tight and start
reeling. The design of the hook does all the work.
A relatively new technique perfected by local pros is the use of
lightweight braided lines to deep drop jig and worm combos for large deepwater
fish such as grouper, amberjack and snapper. Braided line in the 20-30lbs class
has the diameter of 8-10lbs monofilament and has little or no stretch. The small
diameter line is less water resistant and will allow a 4-8oz. jig to penetrate
the depths to 600 feet. The no stretch factor will account for greater
sensitivity and feel, even the lightest strike can be detected. This combination
of the two have given many anglers the confidence and capability the catch the
giants of the deep without the use of heavy lead weights and electric reels.
Offshore Fishing:
It’s no secret the waters off Palm Beach and Jupiter are known as
“Sailfish Alley”. Anglers from all over the world come here in pursuit of a
trophy sailfish. Whether kite fishing, trolling or drift fishing, sailfish are a
likely catch. While winter is considered “peak season”, during the summer months
large the influx of baitfish such as Goggle Eye, Blue Runner, Spanish Sardine,
Cigar Minnow, Threadfin Herring, and Pilchard reside along the beach and will
attract and hold sailfish throughout the season. Drifting with live bait is the
most popular and effective method of catching sails and kings. The use of kites
and flat lines and downriggers allows Capt. Rob to cover more water and expose
his baits to as many fish as possible Live chumming with pilchards brings fish
close to the boat and affords anglers the opportunity to pursue sailfish with
fly gear if so desired
Large schools of King Mackerel reside off Palm Beach and Jupiter during
most of the year. Immense schools of Kingfish migrate near shore of our coast as
well. During the Spring and Fall months the migration is in full swing and these
Kings are hungry and not picky. Summer and winter schools thin out but are still
fairly abundant and will provide action for those seeking them
Dolphin, Wahoo, Bonito, Blackfin Tuna and Sailfish, Marlin are all
pelagic species that cruise the open ocean. Their migratory patterns and ocean
conditions dictate that at times, they be easily accessible for those who wish
to challenge the angling skills offshore Jupiter or Palm Beach. Fishing offshore
out of Jupiter and Palm Beach inlet generally means 2-6 miles from shore. That’s
not say that a 10-15 mile run offshore is out of the question. Sea conditions
and fish location will determine the game plan. An average day we fish no more
than 2-8 miles offshore.
Inshore Fishing:
Palm Beach, Jupiter inlets, the Loxahatchee River, and the beaches around
the inlets provide at times, almost non-stop world class light tackle fishing
action. Whether inshore fishing is your forte, or as an offshore fishing
alternative when the weathers too rough, you won’t be disappointed. The use of
fly-fishing gear or artificial baits on light spinning tackle really shines when
targeting Florida’s inshore “gamesters.” These fish are tough and aggressive,
and will test one’s skill to the max.
Jupiter and Palm Beach inshore fishing provides explosive action for
Tarpon, Snook, Barracuda, Jack Crevelle, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Ladyfish,
Permit and Pompano. Inside the inlets giant sized Jack Crevalle will cruise in
large schools around seawalls and the edge of the channel, they’ll pounce on any
bait thrown their way.
In the Spring time, off Palm Beach and Jupiter, large schools of
20-40lbs. Jack Crevelle will gather over the inshore reefs to spawn. Medium to
medium heavy tackle is used to catch these "bad asses" by either deep jigging,
or by trolling large swimming plugs. Although not a "glamour species", they are
one of the strongest fighters there are.
At times, vast schools of Spinner Sharks will take up residence along the
beaches off Palm Beach and Jupiter. Capt. Rob has had a local news helicopter
notify him that he observed what looked to be 500-700 sharks along the beaches
off Singer Island. “Spinners” get there name from the high jumps and violent
spins they do in the air. Some people ask " why do Spinner Sharks jump and spin
for no apparent reason? I will sometimes say in a "Sopranos" like tone, AAY!!!
IT'S WHAT THEY DO! Typically a shy shark, once located, Capt. Rob will anchor
the boat, cut the motors the use chum to put the sharks in the feeding mood and
attract them closer to the boat. The action takes place so close to shore that
many anglers have had beach-goers scurrying and then cheer them on as the shark
would jump and “shake their thang” in the air a mere fifty yards from shore. At
times the anchor must be pulled and store enabling Capt. Rob to chase down the
adversary so the angler doesn’t get “spooled”. All sharks are released unharmed.
If targeting shark is your passion, Capt. Rob is experienced at catch and
release shark fishing. Generally encountered by chance when fishing for the
“glamour” species, a variety of sharks can be caught close to shore. Aggressive
sharks will at times follow a hooked fish to the surface, at which time a large
baitfish will be sent out on appropriate tackle and rarely gets ignored.
***Also, I don’t recommend chumming for sharks nears crowded beaches around
Jupiter or Palm Beach. I personally, will set out to locate secluded areas for
this type of fishing.
Spinner Sharks, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Bluefish, Sea Trout, Redfish
and Ladyfish are generally more common catches in the cooler months.