Palm Beach County’s deep water is close and productive this week. Mahi are working the Gulf Stream edge within a short run, and tarpon have piled into the Palm Beach and Jupiter inlets on the summer night pattern.
What’s Hitting
Mahi are scattered along the stream edge under weed lines and birds. Tarpon are stacked in the Palm Beach and Jupiter inlets, feeding hard on the night tides. Mangrove and mutton snapper are working the reefs, and kingfish are still around on the nearshore structure.
Where to Find Them
Run to the 200–400 foot edge and hunt weed lines and current rips for mahi. Tarpon hold in the Palm Beach and Jupiter inlets and around the ICW bridges after dark. The reefs in 60–120 feet give up snapper on the drift.
Tides & Conditions
Warm water and a close stream set up the offshore run. Morning is best for mahi before the wind builds an edge chop. Tarpon feed strongest on the night tides in the inlets. Daily afternoon thunderstorms are the norm — plan an early start. The mahi are keyed on the flying fish and small bait riding the Gulf Stream weed lines and rips, so covering water to find clean, holding weed is the difference-maker offshore. Inshore, mullet and pilchards around the inlets and bridges keep the tarpon fed on the night tides when they do most of their feeding.
Tackle & Tactics
For mahi, pitch ballyhoo or bonito strips to fish under the weeds, or troll a small spread along the edge. Inlet tarpon eat a live mullet or crab on 50–60 lb leader. Drop live baits and cut bait to the reef snapper on a knocker rig.
Local Intel This Week
Riviera Beach Municipal Marina and Phil Foster Park (Blue Heron) serve the Palm Beach and Lake Worth inlets, with Burt Reynolds Park in Jupiter covering the north end. Mahi are concentrating on the stream edge, tarpon in the inlets at night. Always check current FWC/state and federal regulations and open seasons before keeping any fish — bag and size limits change through the summer.
This Week’s Tip
Working the inlet tarpon at night, downsize your leader and use a quiet presentation. Pressured inlet fish under the lights get leader-shy — dropping from 80 to 50 lb fluoro and letting a crab drift naturally in the current will earn eats when a heavy rig gets refused.