Where boats run for mahi out of Jupiter
Mahi-mahi fishing out of Jupiter comes down to weed lines in about 300-1200 ft of water. Boats leave through Jupiter Inlet, cross the inshore structure and look for cruising weed lines offshore and floating debris inside Gulf Stream water. Inlet, ramps and conditions are covered in the Jupiter port guide.
Weed lines move, so depth tells you where to start looking but not where the weed sits on a given day.
The depth band and what holds fish in it:
- Depth: 300-1200 ft, beyond the named marks listed below.
- Weed lines: the main target, worked from the inlet out into deep water.
- Floating debris: fished the same way as a weed line.
When mahi are off Jupiter
Mahi show up here wherever a weed line in deep water holds them, so finding the weed matters more than checking the calendar. Biology and timing are covered in the mahi-mahi species guide, and the wider seasonal picture is in mahi-mahi along the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
Grounds and structure off Jupiter Inlet
The named marks below run from shallow to deep. They are depth landmarks you cross on the way out, before the 300-1200 ft mahi water.
| Structure | Depth (ft) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Jupiter Inlet Step Reef | 35-45 | |
| Andrew "Red" Harris No Shoes Reef | 40-59 | About 1.5 miles off Jupiter Inlet |
| 120-foot ledge | 120 | Off the Juno Beach and Jupiter Inlet stretch |
| Push Button Hill | 200-300 | Blackfin bite depth |
| Juno Ledge |
Breakpoint’s Chart Contours layer shows the 300-1200 ft band beyond these marks. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Jupiter Inlet Step Reef
Step Reef sits in 35-45 ft and is the shallowest named mark here.
Andrew "Red" Harris No Shoes Reef
No Shoes Reef lies about 1.5 miles off Jupiter Inlet in 40-59 ft. The original 2015 cell sits at about 40 ft, the 2016 cell at 55 ft, and the 2017 boulder reef at 59 ft at the base and 43 ft at the top.
The 120-foot ledge
The ledge drops to 120 ft off the Juno Beach and Jupiter Inlet stretch.
Push Button Hill
Push Button Hill is 200-300 ft, the blackfin tuna bite depth. It sits inshore of the mahi band.
Juno Ledge
Juno Ledge is another named mark on this stretch.
How mahi are fished off Jupiter
Local boats troll natural baits along weed lines and debris. Blackfin tuna at Push Button Hill sit on the way out. Other offshore species are in the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
Trolling baits
The local spread runs on four baits:
- Squid
- Strips
- Small ballyhoo
- Bonita strips
Working weed lines and debris
Troll along the weed line and around floating debris in the 300-1200 ft band. Mahi are associated with floating objects, so a patch of debris is worth a pass even without weed.
A rod ready for followers
Keep a rod rigged and ready to pitch at fish following the spread. Followers that ignore the trolled bait will often take one tossed in front of them.
Who fishes mahi out of Jupiter
Three local operators list mahi-mahi.
Seek The Deep Charters
Seek The Deep Charters is run by Captain Luke Faulkner on a Contender 31 with twin Yamaha 300s. It sells a 6 or 8 hour Gulf Stream mahi run along weed lines and debris.
Country Club Drift Fishing
Country Club Drift Fishing is run by Captain Jim Barton and Captain Jimmy.
Blue Heron Fleet (Blue Heron Fishing)
Blue Heron Fleet was founded in 1955 by Capt. Harry Nagel and is now in its third generation.
FAQ: Mahi-mahi fishing out of Jupiter
How deep do boats fish for mahi off Jupiter?
About 300-1200 ft, along weed lines and floating debris.
What do boats troll for mahi off Jupiter?
Squid, strips, small ballyhoo and bonita strips. Keep a rod ready for followers.
What structure is near Jupiter Inlet?
- Step Reef at 35-45 ft
- No Shoes Reef at 40-59 ft, about 1.5 miles off
- The 120-foot ledge
- Push Button Hill at 200-300 ft
- Juno Ledge
Where does the blackfin bite set up?
Push Button Hill, 200-300 ft.
Which charters out of Jupiter target mahi?
Seek The Deep Charters (6 or 8 hour Gulf Stream run), Country Club Drift Fishing and Blue Heron Fleet.
Where are the mahi rules?
Check the Florida regulations page and the federal dolphin and wahoo page linked above before fishing.
