Help fishing out of jupiter

Fishmaster 86 · June 2011

I am from the big bend area fishing mainly out of crysal river. I have a trip planned to jupiter on 7/15-7/17. Was hoping for any advice possible from this forum. I have a 24 foot bay boat so i dont mind going offshore pending decent weather. any advice for mahi, kings, wahoo, and reef fishing, also what kind of bait do you recomend? how fast would you troll? what color would you recomend? I have never done any blue water fishing before, so any little piece of information is much appreciated.
Also, Does anyone know a good bait shop around jupiter, any ideas on what I should buy? ballyhoo, sardines, chum?

Thanks for the help guys, and hope to see you out there.

Kevinwwings2 · June 2011

Need more info. Do you want to troll or live bait. If you want to troll point it east and go till you find something floating or attracting fish (weeds, rip, pallet). If you want to live bait, than either buy bait or follow the mob of boats and see if you can sabiki some bait, then go fish the similar areas you would troll. If you want to bottom fish, head east looking for texture on your fish finder, stop and fish it.
OH and no matter how or where you fish, always keep an eye pointed UP watching the weather, as the afternoon thunderstorms can be really nasty if caught off-shore in one. Be sure to keep an eye on the wind direction and recent direction of storm movement.

Fishmaster 86 · June 2011

Thanks keninwings2,

I had planned on trolling the majority of the time, as I have only caught mahi one time on a charter boat out of key west about three years ago, and that was trolling. Thanks for the info, any is appreciated

Sea Monkey · June 2011

if you are planning on trolling, I have found that you catch the most fish (mainly dolphin) using ballyhoo, with or without a skirt on it. You could also use just lures or other trolling baits. Also make sure you have some type of bait on board that you are not using for trolling just in case you get in a school of dolphin that you want to keep around the boat or will not bite feathers.

Fishmaster 86 · June 2011

Thanks sea monkey, any advice on trolling speed and color of skirts,

fishdaddy · June 2011

The plastic squid like skirts or any other lure placed in front of the Ballyhoo helps it to stay in tact longer. Popular colors for skirts or other lures are green, green/yellow, blue/white, purple and pink are all good. Typical to bright days use brighter colors and cloudy overcast days use darker colors like throw in some red or red/black. If you are going to spend the time to troll I'd put a trolling plug or deploy a down rigger/planner to get something lower in the water column. This helps bring fish up that would normally not even blink at your surface baits....trolling 101 stuff.

Fishmaster 86 · June 2011

thanks fishdaddy I do have a down rigger I plan on using.

Totally Hooked · June 2011

The only fish you can count on out of jupiter is the elusive Bonita. Target them and you won't get skunked.

Kevinwwings2 · June 2011

AS for trolling, Ballyhoo is the most versital, but also the hardest to rig, if you don't have experience with it. You can buy pre-rigged they are expensive but for a trip or 2 probably doable. As for lures, any kind of jet head or chugger can work. Even a larger lipped lure, Daisy Chains produce fish. There are a ton of options, and no one that is a sure bet over anything else. I have had good luck with Orange and green (dolphin colors), Blue and White, Black and Pink, Black and Purple. As for trolling speed I really can't give you a number but play with it a little bit and watch your baits. If your using Ballyhoo they should look like they are swimming and typically un the water more than out of the water, but an occasional skip on the surface is not all bad. I find my speed is usually around 4.5 to 6 mph, probably most common 5.5, but that can change for so many reasons. Angle of lines (outriggers), wave or wind direction, types of baits being pulled.
Personaly I would run to the east till you hit about 80-90 ft of water and start deploying the lines, be prepared for Bonita on any smaller baits, and expect them till you get past 150' possibly further. IF you find any kind of rip or weedline work that area, try both sides of the line. Any kind of floating debris is worth trolling by a time or two, it can be as small as a bucket lid, or as substantial as a pallet, or even larger.
Be sure to have a gaff on board.
Good luck.

RockNReeler · June 2011

Right now the dolphin are out in 1000 ft of water. Head out of the inlet due east and go approx. 8 miles. An assortment of rigged ballyhoo, (some skirted, leave one naked) and or lures will work. Although many are small, there were numerous dolphin to be had THIS week. Every day changes. I have caught dolphin as big as 40lbs. a mere 3 miles out of the inlet in 150 feet of water. This time of year, you can be sure to hear "lines screaming" that close, but it will be the numerous bonita feeding on your bait.

FishThis1 · June 2011

Best advise is to go out with a guide for the first day you are here and learn from what he shows you.

Fishmaster 86 · June 2011

I appreciate all yall's advice, and thanks for taking time out of your day to help me out. I hope one day if any of yall need some help, I could return the favor.

Fishmaster 86 · July 2011

Keep all the good advice coming, and happy independence day.

No Limits · July 2011

Welcome to south Fl Fishmaster. I other thing you need to be aware of. While trolling, watch your baits. Vary your trolling speed so the baits are not flying out of the water. Let them skip on top and spash at times. You may have to check and vary your speed throughout the day. Don't worry about your mph or knots just watch your baits skipping in back of the boat the change speed acordingly. Tight lines and catch um up!