A Local's Month-by-Month Guide to What's Biting in Jupiter

by Chris Morrissey

"From the Jupiter Inlet to the blue water just offshore, here's what you can realistically expect to catch each month of the year."

Why Jupiter is One of Florida's Best Fishing Destinations

Few places in Florida offer the variety of fishing found in Jupiter. Thanks to the Jupiter Inlet and the Gulf Stream flowing just a few miles offshore, anglers can target sailfish, mahi, tuna, and wahoo in the morning before heading back inside to fish for snook, tarpon, mangrove snapper, or jack crevalle in the afternoon.

Whether you're running a 40-foot center console offshore or casting from the jetties at sunrise, there's always something biting somewhere around Jupiter.

Quick Reference Calendar

Month	Offshore	Inshore	Overall Rating
January	Sailfish • Wahoo • Kingfish	Snook • Sheepshead • Pompano	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February	Sailfish • Wahoo • Blackfin	Snook • Sheepshead	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March	Sailfish • Blackfin • Cobia	Snook • Jack Crevalle	⭐⭐⭐⭐
April	Mahi • Cobia • Kingfish	Snook • Tarpon	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May	Mahi • Blackfin • Sailfish	Tarpon • Snook	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June	Mahi • Tuna	Snook • Tarpon	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July	Mahi • Tuna • Wahoo	Snook • Mangrove Snapper	⭐⭐⭐⭐
August	Mahi • Wahoo	Snook • Tarpon	⭐⭐⭐⭐
September	Kingfish • Mahi	Snook • Redfish	⭐⭐⭐
October	Sailfish Begin • Kingfish	Snook • Redfish	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November	Sailfish • Wahoo • Tuna	Snook • Pompano	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
December	Sailfish • Wahoo	Snook • Sheepshead	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

January

Offshore

January is one of the best months of the year for offshore fishing in Jupiter. Cold fronts push sailfish down the coast, and many local anglers consider this the start of prime kite-fishing season. Wahoo are often caught while trolling along the reef edge, and kingfish remain active over nearshore structure.

Best Species

Sailfish
Wahoo
King Mackerel
Blackfin Tuna

Best Areas

Western edge of the Gulf Stream
Eight Mile Reef
Twenty-Five Fathom Reef
Color changes east of Jupiter Inlet

Best Techniques

Kite fishing with live goggle-eyes
Slow trolling live baits
High-speed trolling for wahoo

Inshore

Snook hold around bridges, docks, and deeper water during cooler weather. Sheepshead become a favorite target around pilings and seawalls, while pompano patrol the beaches when the surf is clean.

February

Fishing remains outstanding offshore. Sailfish continue migrating south, and blackfin tuna become more consistent around deeper water.

Inside the inlet, sheepshead fishing peaks while snook become more active during warming afternoons.

March

March is one of the most underrated months of the year.

Late-season sailfish are still around.
Blackfin tuna fishing often improves.
The first cobia begin appearing.

Snook activity increases dramatically as water temperatures climb.

April

Spring has officially arrived.

One of the year's first major mahi pushes usually begins this month as weed lines start developing offshore.

Tarpon begin showing around the inlet and beaches.

Target Species

Offshore

Mahi
Cobia
Kingfish
Blackfin Tuna

Inshore

Snook
Tarpon
Jack Crevalle

May

If you only get one month to fish Jupiter...

Choose May.

Mahi fishing is often excellent.

Large schools of blackfin tuna remain nearby.

Tarpon season reaches its peak.

Snook fishing continues improving around the inlet.

June

Summer patterns settle in.

Early mornings produce outstanding offshore fishing before afternoon thunderstorms build.

Best Offshore

Mahi
Blackfin Tuna
Sailfish
Kingfish

Best Inshore

Snook
Tarpon
Mangrove Snapper

July

Water temperatures peak.

Fishing starts early.

Many boats are back at the dock before lunch.

Offshore

Mahi
Tuna
Wahoo

Inside

Snook under bridges
Mangrove snapper around structure

August

Despite the heat, fishing remains productive.

Look for floating debris offshore where mahi often gather.

Snook fishing after sunset can be exceptional.

September

A transition month.

Kingfish begin showing again.

Finger mullet begin moving.

Redfish activity increases.

October

One of Jupiter's best fishing months.

The first cold fronts arrive.

Sailfish begin returning.

Kingfish action improves dramatically.

Water temperatures become ideal.

November

Many local captains consider November the beginning of trophy season.

Sailfish numbers increase.

Wahoo fishing becomes excellent.

Blackfin tuna remain active.

December

Cooler weather keeps offshore fishing outstanding.

Snook remain active around warm afternoons.

Sheepshead return around bridges.

Local Hotspots

Jupiter Inlet

Best for:

Snook
Tarpon
Jack Crevalle
Bluefish
Spanish Mackerel

Eight Mile Reef

Excellent for

Kingfish
Snapper
Grouper
Amberjack

Twenty-Five Fathom Reef

Known for

Sailfish
Tuna
Wahoo
Mahi

Color Changes

When blue water pushes close to shore, expect

Sailfish
Mahi
Tuna

Weed Lines

Prime summer mahi habitat.

Always approach carefully and look for birds, bait, and floating debris.

Best Live Baits

Winter

Goggle Eyes
Blue Runners

Spring

Pilchards
Threadfin Herring

Summer

Ballyhoo
Pilchards
Speedos

Fall

Finger Mullet
Croakers

Wind Guide

Best Offshore

✅ East

✅ Southeast

✅ South (light)

Fishable

✔ Northeast under 15 knots

Use Caution

West winds can create rough conditions at the Jupiter Inlet, especially on an outgoing tide. Strong north or northeast winds combined with an ebb tide can also produce steep, hazardous seas at the inlet. Always check the marine forecast and use good judgment before heading offshore.

Water Temperatures

Winter

70–74°

Spring

74–79°

Summer

80–86°

Fall

78–82°

Local Tips

Early mornings consistently produce the best offshore action during summer.
If birds are diving over a weed line, slow down and investigate—there's a good chance mahi are underneath.
During winter, keep a kite rod ready whenever conditions allow. Sailfish often show up without warning.
Snook fishing around the inlet improves dramatically when baitfish are concentrated by a moving tide.
After heavy rain, look for clean-water edges near the inlet and along the beaches, as predators often patrol these transition zones.

Public Boat Ramps

Burt Reynolds Park
Jupiter Pointe Boat Ramp
Sawfish Bay Park
Riverbend Park (kayaks and canoes)

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish are biting in Jupiter right now?

Fishing changes throughout the year, but there is always an inshore and offshore option. This calendar provides a seasonal overview to help you plan.

How far offshore is the Gulf Stream from Jupiter?

Depending on current conditions, the western edge of the Gulf Stream is often just 2 to 4 miles east of Jupiter Inlet, making it one of the closest Gulf Stream accesses on Florida's Atlantic coast.

What's the best month to fish Jupiter?

May is often considered the most well-rounded month because offshore mahi, blackfin tuna, and kingfish coincide with outstanding inshore tarpon and snook fishing. Winter months, however, are unmatched for sailfish.

Do I need a fishing license?

Most anglers fishing from a private boat or from shore will need a valid Florida saltwater fishing license unless an exemption applies. Always check the latest regulations before your trip.