Stuwart/Fort Worth/West Palm Guys... Help - The Hull Truth

Jonafare · 12-11-2005, 09:22 PM

Our plans are on, reservations made. We're fishing out of sailfish marina the 3rd week of January. Can't wait to see some warm weather.. I'm so envious of you guys. The boat has a 400 mile range and we fish out of Hatteras, so we're use to rough water. If you were in our shoes, what offshore action would you go after. Thanks for the info...

MrPat · 12-12-2005, 07:30 AM

Sail Fish

Go here for recent reports

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeroforum?id=7

juniorbaiter · 12-12-2005, 07:32 AM

I would look at fishing out of the Stuart area and heading over to the Bahamas (west End, White Sands, Memory Rock area). Jim

swampdogg · 12-12-2005, 07:44 AM

I lived in Stuart for 10 years ending in 96. I hear the sailfishing has gotten even better than it was when I was there.

Are you out of saifish in Stuart or Palm Beach? When I used to fish that area, the bite could be on anywhere between the 2 inlets (about 28 miles) and was usually concentrated to a small area, depending on the wind direction. Length and intensity of the Northerly wind was the greatest factor, the colder the wind, the hotter the bite.

Some of my most chilly days on the water were off Stuart in the winter. If there is an extended period of SE winds and calm seas, I would move further offshore and troll for dolphin. Be sure to pull that one wahoo getter in case you troll by one, but they are incidental, not like up here (NC) where you can get a few in one day.

Good luck and have fun.

doeboy · 12-12-2005, 10:45 AM

I was there in May and chartered out of sailfish marina one day. we went south and slow trolled large goggle eye about 1/2 to 3/4 mile off of the beach where the breakers hotel is. he said something about this being sailfish alley. the captain also said we would almost certainly get lots of sails in December. I got 4 large kings and a 5 ft sail in 3 hours and was back at the hotel by lunch. anyway thats one easy place to fish out of Palm Beach area good luck

swampdogg · 12-12-2005, 12:07 PM

Running to the islands is a great experience, but that time of year will only give you a couple of nice days in every 10 day period. If you cross in January, don't have a drop dead "be home" day in case you get stuck waiting to come back. And then be sure to have lots of cash for those extra days. Some of my best days over there were the ones I didn't plan, waiting out the weather to return to Florida.

Abobis · 12-12-2005, 01:16 PM

Sailfish Marina boats are typically running less than 10 miles on a day trip. They are targeting sails/dolphin/kings.

I recommend purchasing goggle-eyes. They may cost upwards of $100/doz depending on tourneys.

You may want to consider doing a night trip for swords.

doeboy · 12-12-2005, 03:04 PM

I paid $5 per goggle-eye and the guides there said they do not fish without them. the water is so clear that hungry fish can see your bait from 80ft down. they used typical kingfish rigs with a trailing trble hook good luck

Jonafare · 12-12-2005, 10:34 PM

Thanks guys, MrPat, that was a great link you gave... lots of info. I use to fish alot in the 70's, and just started back 2-3 years ago. Never have caught a sail, hook one last year but lost him. Was pulling b-hoos... if I can't get live bait do you guys slow troll dead bait or lures (islanders) or do you fast troll them 5-6 knots?
Do you use a stinger with dead bait. I'll look for clear water, I think I need 80' plus, do you use skirts and if so, what color is hot this year? I would love to night fish but my buddies want to do the gambling thing (we don't have that here in NC) in the evenings. Thanks so much for the help... if you're ever in NC waters call on me!

doeboy · 12-13-2005, 08:08 AM

Frank are you bringing your boat down via the ICW or towing? If you have some extra room please pick me up in Jacksonville it sounds like you are gonna have a blast

Jonafare · 12-13-2005, 09:27 AM

Hey Doeboy, we're towing... bring that Pursit (nice boat) on down and buddy fish with us... we'd love the company.

doeboy · 12-13-2005, 10:42 AM

If I can get some free time I would like to do that. I'll let you know. Merry Christmas

fishkill · 12-20-2005, 08:53 AM

This is from this last weekend.... ssilfish were everywhere....
NOTE: they were all caught on DEAD bait, save your money, rig a ballyhoo.

Weekend sailfish bite significant

Email this story | Print By ED KILLER
edward.killer@scripps.com
December 20, 2005
The waters off the Treasure Coast were alive over the weekend as both charter and private boats enjoyed one of the strongest sailfish bites since January 2004.
Mixed in with the sailfish were plenty of dolphin, kingfish, Spanish mackerel and by Monday, Atlantic sharpnose sharks.

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Many boats reported sailfish catches into the double digits with at least two boats piling up more than 20 releases apiece. By Monday, though, murky water extended out beyond 300 feet and combined with gray skies and sharks, it softened the sailfish bite.
The boat Vintage, owned by Hans Kraaz of Fort Pierce, strung up 28 sailfish releases on Sunday after posting an 18-sailfish day Saturday. Kraaz' party was fishing an area due east of Fort Pierce Inlet.

Out of Port Salerno, the boat Rumor Mill had 20 releases Saturday and 18 Sunday, while the boat Finest Kind had 13 on a full day charter Sunday. Private boats Prime Time (14 Saturday, 15 Sunday) and Outlaw (10 Sunday) also got in on the action.

Stuart's Tom Wichers, of Prime Time, was able to share the experience with his three sons.

"A lot of good memories were made over the weekend," said Wichers who fished with sons Ian, 14, Sky, 12 and Van, 9. "The conditions were perfect and the boys have worked a long time to be ready for a sailfish bite like this."

With action that fast and furious, the Wichers family had to work as a team.

"All the fish were caught trolling dead bait," Wichers said. "They did a great job handling the triples and doubles we had. At one point Sunday, we had six sailfish come in on the baits and teasers at the same time."

Capt. V.J. Bell, aboard the Bone Shaker, had double digit bites daily Friday through Sunday.

Bell's clients went 7-of-17 Friday, 13-of-17 on a half-day trip Saturday and 14-of-26 on Sunday. Bell's anglers also took home plenty of dolphin fillets.

"We had good action Friday in 120 feet of water near the Loran 43160 line," Bell said. "Saturday, the action moved a little deeper to 180 feet and by Sunday it was deeper still to 300 feet."

Bell had five sails for Monday's half-day. However, he said deteriorating water quality and frequent bites from sharks made sailfishing difficult.

"I saw more sharks (Monday) than I have ever seen," he said. "We were as deep as 400 feet, but the water wasn't good.

"If we can get some northeast wind, maybe some better water will move in."

During a two-week span in January of 2004, fleets fishing the Pelican Yacht Club's Billfish Invitational (386 releases by 53 boats in four days), Fort Pierce Billfish Derby (236 by 11 boats in three days) and Sailfish Point Yacht Club's Invitational Sailfish Tournament (278 by 24 boats in four days) each logged record catches.

Jonafare · 12-21-2005, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the headsup fishkill!

CaptRobMaz · 01-04-2006, 06:47 AM

Just a heads up, you don't have to spend all that money to catch a sailfish.

I'm usually fishing alongside of the expensive sportfishers out of Sailfish Marina.

Jonafare · 01-07-2006, 09:58 PM

Hey CaptRobMaz

Whats the name of your vessel... I'll give you a shout on the radio when we get down. Question, do you normally fish north of the inlet in "sailfish alley" ... we're going to jig with sabaki rigs for gooogle eyses at the inlet bouys... is there a better place?

Stop by and see us.

CTdave · 01-08-2006, 10:50 PM

Jonafare
I am also going to be down that week. I keep my 50 Bertram at Sailfish Point Marina. It's on the North side just after you enter the inlet.
My boat's name is "IDALL TIME" & I usually stand by VHF 9, 16, 69, 71. What channel do you monitor?
I'll be taking my father and friends out Sunday the 15th or Monday. Tuesday is open as well as Friday and Saturday. I might be bringing a few THTers out on one of those days. I'm just waiting to see what the weather will be before I try to schedule something.
Dave Dall

Jonafare · 01-09-2006, 02:26 PM

Hi ya Dave, We arrive the 19, depart the 23, fishing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I monitor 16 and 68... but I'll keep an ear out for you. Give us a call and we'll let you know where we are and if the bite is on. I believe Sailfish Point marina is the same as Sailfish Marina, the inlet is Lake Worth. Sounds like you know the area and I'd love any pointers or local knowledge.

CTdave · 01-09-2006, 03:49 PM

Frank.
No, Sailfish Point Marina is just inside the St. Lucie Inlet in Stuart. There is another "Sailfish Marina" in Stuart and another in West Palm.
Will you be in West Palm or Stuart?
p.s. I'm not the pro around here, I'm looking for tips too!
Dave

Jonafare · 01-09-2006, 04:19 PM

We're at West Palm, I would think I could raise you via VHF, I think Stuart is 15 Miles or so north.
Frank