This week off Palm Beach, the Gulf Stream has swung in close and brought the summer offshore bite with it. Short runs to deep water remain the great advantage of this stretch of coast, and July is when it pays off.
What’s Hitting
Mahi are working the current edge and scattered weed in 300 to 900 feet, with most boats finding at least a few keepers per trip. Kingfish are steady over the reefs in 80 to 130 feet, bonito are thick around the bait, and the night mangrove snapper bite inside the reef has been excellent. Snook are staged at the inlets — catch and release, with the season closed — and tarpon are on the night tides at Jupiter and Lake Worth inlets.
Where to Find Them
The edge has been setting up in 400 to 700 feet — troll the color change and watch for birds. Kings are on the reefs off Juno and Singer Island. The snapper are on the reef in 40 to 70 feet after dark, and the inlet snook stack on the outgoing at night.
Tides & Conditions
Light southeast breeze and a close Stream make for comfortable mornings. Night tides this week favor the inlet fishing, with strong outgoing water after sunset. Afternoon storms have been arriving from the west by three.
Tackle & Tactics
Troll small ballyhoo on the edge for mahi with a pitch rod ready. Kings want slow-trolled goggle-eyes on wire. Night snapper call for a chum slick, 20-pound fluorocarbon, and small live baits drifted back naturally. Inlet snook eat flair hawks and big swimbaits worked slow against the tide.
Local Intel This Week
Phil Foster Park at the Blue Heron Bridge, Currie Park in West Palm, and Burt Reynolds Park in Jupiter are the busiest public ramps. Fish are concentrating on the offshore edge, the mid-depth reefs, and the inlets at night. Snook season is closed through August — check current FWC regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
When the mahi are scattered and the weed is broken, troll fast and cover water until you raise one fish — then stop and work that spot hard. In July, one fish on the line usually means a school under the boat.