Juno Bait's "Weekend Fishing Outlook"
For Weekend of 9/29-10/1/23
OFFSHORE- Dolphin reports were good again this week. The pattern continues of smaller packs of fish, but the average size has been a little better. For the most parts the dolphin have been in pretty open water; so trolling and covering water has been the name of the game. Trolling lures (small jetheads) and baits (Squid and bonita strips) that let you cover some more water will be the best bet. Depth has bounced around from 500-800', but some east wind in the forecast could help push them in a little shallower. Backside of the full moon should also have the wahoo biting good this weekend. No reports yet to speak of yet on the wahoo, but they should be coming. Best depth for the wahoo will be in the 150-250' range. High speed trolling to cover water; or working productive areas with a planer and bonita strip will be the two best bets for the wahoo. Later in the weekend look like ideal early season sailfish conditions as well. Bottom fishing reports this week were good; with a pretty solid mixed bag of snapper and even a few grouper being caught by the drift boat crew. Sardines and squid remain the top two bottom fishing bait choices.
INSHORE- Snook fishing remains very good inshore right now. Mullet schools are still around, but not in massive amounts. Smaller schools of mullet tend to be a little easier to fish; and often times lead to more action (If you think about it...would you rather pick a raffle ticket out of a bucket of 100 or 10,000?). Look for the mullet to be the most active and up on top early in the morning, late in the afternoon, and at night. Boat traffic and high sun tend to drive them down deep and make them harder to fish. When the fish are actively feeding in a mullet school try a topwater plug fished on the outside edges of the school for best luck. Another trick that can work well is a crazy different colored pug fished in the school. Yes "match the hatch" is typically the best plan when picking colors, but an oddball in the middle of a million other choices can sometimes be the ticket. It's mainly snook inshore with the mullet; but a fair number of tarpon and jacks will be around as well. Snook fishing at night around the bridges remains strong as well.
SURF/PIER- Mullet pod reports were a bit slower this week; but still a good number of therm around. The tarpon are still hanging around them in good numbers; and have been willing to crush a topwater fished on the edge of the schools early in the morning. The Yo-Zuri Hydro and Topknock Pencil have been two top lure choices for the tarpon. Snook action slowed a bit around the mullet schools; but big jacks and shark have taken up the slack. Best bet on finding the mullet is to look early and late in the morning. If you can't find any pods along the beach, sometimes checking the inlets on outgoing tide can be a good way to find them. The Juno Beach Pier has been producing a lot of fish this week. Spanish mackerel have been around the pier in very good numbers. The bobber rig with a clark spoon or white crappie jig have been the top two lure choices. A few kingfish around the pier as well early in the morning and late in the afternoon. A swimming plug (Rapala X-Rap or Yo-Zuri LC Minnow) is the best way to go for the kings. Some solid pompano reports coming in from the pier as well on Doc's Goofy Jigs. A lot of the pomps have been on the smaller side; but a decent number of keepers in the mix. Overall very good fishing; definitely worth giving it a shot if you have a chance.
NOAA MARINE WEATHER:
FRI...E SE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft, occasionally to 5 ft. Period 8 seconds. Intracoastal waters a light chop. Showers with a chance of tstms.
SAT...E winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft, occasionally to 5 ft. Intracoastal waters a light chop. Showers with a chance of tstms.
SUN...NE winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts to around 20 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft, occasionally to 6 ft. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop. Showers likely with a chance of tstms.
Thanks For Reading,
Todd
Cool pic sent in from Davis Smith this week. Davis and his buddy pulled five of these little guys out of the surf. Always cool to see some bonefish come in from the surf on Juno Beach. A lot of times they are smaller like this...but a bigger one will sneak in from time to time to keep things exciting!
