Inshore Fishing Report July 25, 2007 Jupiter / Palm Beach
The Snook spawn is on fire and the big fish are thick. All the inlets are full of spawning snook right now the best tides have been the outgoing tide. Live baits work the best but artificial will also produce great numbers of fish. The beaches also are holding snook early in the morning; the first trough is where the snook can be spotted either by boat or by land. When targeting these snook take extra care when handling these fish they are the producers for generations to come. I like to use heaver tackle when targeting spawning snook so you don't wear them down and kill them. I like to use 30-pound Power Pro with a 3-foot leader of 40-pound fluorocarbon on a 5000 series reel, and a medium heavy action rod. The average size snook being caught is around 10 to 15 pounds but there are many fish that tip the scales at 20 plus pounds and an occasional 30 pounder.
The inside lagoons have been great for Snook and Tarpon action. The snook have been hanging near drop offs and dock pilings. Live bait produces the most fish but artificial jigs produce as well. As long as the water is moving the snook will eat. As for the tarpon these fish are grouped up in pods and will take live greenies and live sand perch free lined. The outgoing tide produces the most fish and the biggest fish. The average size of the tarpon range from 5 to 30 pounds. The jacks have also been in great numbers the past few weeks these hard pulling fish never give up and make for a great catch on light tackle. The jacks will take any live bait thrown at them, along with any top water lure that makes noise. The jacks have been ranging in size from 2 to 20 pounds. Mixed in with the jacks are the ladyfish. These acrobatic fish put on a show like a tarpon, that's why they received the nickname a.k.a (poor mans tarpon). The ladyfish love any live bait and small jigs. They range in size from 1 to 3 pounds. We have also been catching some flounder and mutton snappers lately near the drop offs using artificial jigs. One exciting catch we had near a dock a few weeks ago was an 8-pound Jewfish that took a live greenie. It was a pleasant surprise.
The freshwater bite has been great with all the rain and the scorching heat we have had. The Peacock bass bite is awesome and these fish are everywhere. The best bait for the peacocks are live shiners, jigs, and if you like to fly fish small clouser minnows will lead you to many hook ups. The peacocks have been ranging in size form 2 to 5 pounds with a few fish reaching the 7-pound mark. The large mouth bass bite is solid with many of these fish being caught near the grass edges and deep drop offs. The bait of choice has been finesse worms, crank baits and shiners. The largemouth have been ranging in size from 2 to 8 pounds.
Well that is the report for the past few weeks if you would like to test your luck against a giant snook or tango with a tarpon give Capt. Craig Korczynski a call to book your next light tackle inshore fishing adventure. 561-644-4371 or visit www.PhlatsInshoreFishing.com. Email phlats1519@yahoo.com. Hope to here from you soon. Catch um up.
