Wabasso Beach to Boca Raton
Includes Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce, Stuart, West Palm Beach and Lake Worth.

Feb. 5-7

WABASSO BEACH TO STUART

Everybody knows about the great sailfishing right now but skippers are keeping the cobia action a little more of a secret. As much as these fish like structure most are being found following rays or shadowing sea turtles. A large jig is all it takes but they will eat a whole dead squid as well. Dolphin made a better showing this week thanks to strong onshore winds but the winds may make it choppy for the first part of the weekend.

Spanish mackerel are great to eat and easy to catch. They definitely take some pressure off the snook and stuff inside. Pompano action has been solid for those fishing jigs or live sandfleas wherever fish are seen skipping. Spinner sharks will be a good indicator, they like to hang together. Trout and redfish are on the grass beds with the warmth of the day the best time to target them.

JUPITER TO LAKE WORTH

Live-baiters are having absolutely no problem releasing multiple catches of sailfish daily, but the kingfish and bonito remain difficult to avoid. Keep in mind this tends to be a great month for dolphin as well so be ready to do some trolling. Plenty of groupers will be caught without divers disturbing them on the reefs but they all must be released.

If you have never caught a cobia this is a great time to try as they move south. Live crabs are perfect but jigs and squid will do the job if you can get on the fish. Spinner sharks are hard to avoid along the beaches with the best of it being just north of Lake Worth Inlet. Pompano are in the same areas.

BOYNTON TO BOCA

Blackfin tuna and dolphin will provide relief from the sailfish if you work out past 300 feet of water but you might find spindle beaks even there. Trolling small lures will help cover some water but the sails prefer live bait. Some mutton snapper will be caught but the vast majority will be undersize.

Live shrimp fished inside will catch ladyfish, small tarpon and plenty of jacks if you work along the seawalls and from the bridges. Try fiddler crabs for sheepshead or fish a live crab from the south jetty at Boynton Inlet for permit. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel will be found along the beaches by trolling spoons.

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