Weekend Fishing Outlook (1/4-1/6/2019)

OFFSHORE-   Overall fishing was a bit slow offshore this week,.  Sailfish reports were fair, but not great despite good looking water and a nice north current.  A strong cold front or two with some hard north wind would be very beneficial for getting the sailfish fired up and surfing down some waves.  Best sailfish bite (minus a few oddball reports to the south and trolling reports from way up the line) continues to come from just south of the Juno Beach Pier to Jupiter Inlet in 130-300' of water.  Live goggle eyes and blue runners will be top live baits for the kite, while some pilchards or threadfins work great on the flatlines.  A few good size dolphin have been mixed in the same depth with the sailfish, but not as many as a few weeks ago.  A few good dolphin reports from out deeper (600-800') off Jupiter did also come in this week.  In closer to the 120' ledge a fair number of kingfish and a few cobia are being caught while drifting sardines.  Best bet for the kings in a sardnie on a knocker rig, while the "slide-rig" is the way to go for the cobia.  Bottom fishing reports remained very good this week, especially for those willing to fish a bit deeper than usual (100-150').  Some good sized mutton snapper and flag yellowtails being caught out in the deeper stuff on sardines, with that occasional cobia mixed in as well.  

INSHORE-  The Hobe Sound Flats and boat docks (Mile Marker 40-44 in the ICW) remain our best bet on the inshore side of things.  Good mixed bag action for ladyfish, jacks, sheepshead, a few spotted seatrout, and maybe even a redfish or two.  Live shrimp will be the top producer on the natural bait side of things; while a Vudu Shrimp, DOA Shrimp, or DOA Cal paddle tail will work well on the artificial side of things.  The Loxahatchee River has had a few good days of pompano fishing, but its hard to pinpoint when/where its going to happen.  Sandfleas, Fishbites, and Doc's Goofy Jigs have been the ticket for the pomps when you do find them.  Milder weather has kept the catch and release snook fishing going pretty good, especially at night around bridges and docklights.  A few reports from Munyan Island coming in for spotted seatrout and very occasioanl redfish as well.

SURF/PIER-  Kind of an interesting week to start the year along the beach and at the Juno Beach Fishing Pier.  The surf south of Jupiter Inlet has been a bit spotty; while action to the north of Jupiter Inlet remains a bit more consistent.  Regardless of which direction you head low-light periods (early morning/late afternoon) will be best for bluefish, jacks, Spanish Mackerel, pompano, and sharks.   For fun topwater action early in the morning or at sunset on the jacks, bluefish, and sharks try throwing a GT Ice Cream, Yo-Zuri Surface Cruiser, or Yo-Zuri Hydro Pencil.  For more consistent bites opt for a swimming plug (Rapala X-Rap, Yo-Zuri Mag Minnow, Yo-Zuri Longcast), diamond jig, or a Gator Spoon. The pompano that have been around (again primarily north of Jupiter Inlet) are biting best on sandfleas, clams, and Fishbites.  The Juno Beach Pier has been producing some nice size Spanish Mackerel, a few keeper size Kingfish, and surprisingly a good number of bonita.  The Spanish Mackerel are being caught best with small to medium size swimming plugs (X-Rap or Yo-Zuri Mag Minnow), white crappie jigs, or the bobber rig with a Clark spoon.  For the kingfish and bonita try throwing a bigger swimming plug (Daiwa SP Minnow or Rapala X-Rap in size 12 or 14).  Best bite for them has been first thing in the morning, with a few pushing around again late in the afternoon.  

NOAA MARINE WEATHER:
FRIDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots along the coast to south 15 to 20 knots in the Gulf Stream. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Period 4 seconds. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers.

SATURDAY...West northwest winds 10 to 15 knots along the coast to west northwest 15 to 20 knots in the Gulf Stream. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers.

SUNDAY...Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet along the coast and 2 to 4 feet with occasional to 5 feet in the Gulf Stream. Intracoastal waters a light chop.

Shop Updates-  Hope everyone is recovering from a busy  and fun (hopefully not to stressful) Holiday Season!  Thanks to all of our customers for a great 2018.  We are busy working on a lot of fun stuff for 2019.  "Catch365" is coming back with lots of good info,  new custom rods and inventory arriving on a regular basis, and of course the fishing report will be coming at you every Thursday (unless we slack off a bit once or twice and don't get it up till Friday...)

Thanks For Reading,
Todd