Jupiter Inlet

54 — HOLD

Jupiter

The iconic South Florida inlet beneath the red Jupiter Lighthouse — deep, powerful current funneling the Loxahatchee River into the Atlantic. World-class snook on the rocks, goliath grouper at the base, and spring cobia runs that draw anglers from across the state.

This spot targets species that are in their active season right now. The current tide stage is not ideal for this setup.

Best window around high tide Sun 5:17 AM

Location

Tides & Moon

Between phases — focus on tide timing over lunar influence

Major feeding5:06 AM – 7:06 AM5:06 PM – 7:06 PM

Minor feeding11:06 PM – 12:06 AM11:06 AM – 12:06 PM

Live Conditions

Water—

Wave—

Wind—

Tidelow

Air—

Rain—

Conditions Match

Conditions check

How it matches right now

Tide: outgoing / incoming; low
Wind dir: W, SW, NW; —
Wind speed: ≤10 mph ideal; —
Wave height: 1–4 ft; —
Water temp: 70–85°F; —
Light: Any; Daytime

✓ ideal ~ close ✗ outside range

Personal logbook

Log this trip with conditions auto-captured from the live feed.

Current Read

Why it scores 54 right now

This spot targets species that are in their active season right now.
The current tide stage is not ideal for this setup.

Tactics

Hooks, baits, and lanes for Jupiter Inlet

Snook — night jetty rocks

Large live mullet (8–10 inches) or oversized swimbaits (6–8 inch) bumped along the jetty rocks on outgoing tide. 50 lb fluoro leader on 40 lb braid. Fish the shadow lines where rock structure meets open water. Night from 9 PM to 2 AM is the prime window for trophy-class fish.

Cobia — spring sight-cast

Pre-rig a 2 oz bucktail jig with a 4-inch curly tail in brown or green, 30 lb fluoro leader. Stand high on the rocks and watch for dark shapes cruising 1–3 feet below the surface in March-May. Pitch the jig 15 feet ahead of the fish, let it sink to their depth, and twitch. One shot — they eat or they don't.

Mangrove snapper — deep finesse

Small No. 1 hook with a tiny piece of shrimp or cut sardine on 12 lb fluoro leader. Drop straight to the base of the jetty rocks on the downcurrent side. Snapper hold deep and tight to structure. Chum with cut shrimp pieces to bring them out. Light tackle only — they're extremely leader-shy in clear water.

Tarpon — live bait channel

Live mullet or live crab on a 7/0 circle hook with 80 lb fluoro leader on 50 lb braid or conventional gear. Free-line in the main channel current during dawn in June-August. When tarpon are rolling on the surface, cast ahead of the roll direction. The eat is a sudden, heavy weight — don't set on the jump.

Target Species

Snook

Fish edges, current seams, and low-light bait movement instead of blind fan casting.

East coast harvest is seasonal and permit-based; on April 17, 2026 the east coast harvest window is open.

Tarpon

Fish passes, bridges, and beach migration lanes at dawn. Match the bait, not the lure catalog.

Tarpon over 75" require a $50 harvest tag (one per person per year). Most are catch-and-release only.

Cobia

Spot them cruising with rays or near channel markers. Pitch ahead of the fish, not on top of it.

FWC: 33" fork minimum, 1 per person, 2 per vessel. Open March 1 - April 30 (Atlantic).

Mangrove Snapper

Fish tight to docks, bridge pilings, mangrove roots, and jetty rock. Light line and stealth matter more than lure choice.

FWC: 10" total length minimum, 5 per harvester. Open year-round in state waters.

Jack Crevalle

Watch for bait blowups on the surface. Cast into the mayhem, strip fast. Jacks are reaction feeders, not ambush fish.

No minimum size, no bag limit in Florida recreational waters.

Tripletail

Look for them floating sideways near buoys, crab trap floats, and channel markers. Stealth approach in the boat is critical.

FWC: 18" total length minimum, 2 per harvester. Open year-round.

Access

South jetty accessible from Dubois Park ($15/vehicle on weekends, $10 weekdays for non-residents).
North side accessible from Jupiter Beach Park (free). Walk south to the inlet rocks.
No fishing license required from the jetty within Dubois Park (pier exemption).
Dubois Park closes at sunset. Night fishing requires accessing the rocks from outside the park.
Jupiter Bait & Tackle (141 Center St) — open Mon-Thu 6 AM – 9 PM, Fri-Sat 6 AM – 10 PM.
The rocks are close to the waterline and waves wash over during tidal changes. Wear studded boots.

Hazards

One of the strongest currents of any Florida inlet — heavy tackle is mandatory. 40+ lb braid, 50 lb fluoro minimum.
Goliath grouper hold at the rock base and will eat your fish on the way in. Fight fish hard and fast to avoid losing them.
Sharks (bull and blacktip) are common in the inlet — land fish quickly.
Waves crash over the south jetty rocks during strong E swells. If the water is washing over the rocks, don't go out.
Extremely popular among serious anglers. Spots on the rocks are claimed early — arrive before dawn for prime position.

Highlights

Arguably the best land-based snook inlet in Southeast Florida. Fish over 40 inches are caught regularly.
Goliath grouper (catch-and-release only) hold at the jetty base — fish that can exceed 400 lbs.
Spring cobia runs (March-May) bring sight-fishing opportunities as cobia cruise near the surface past the rocks.
Mangrove snapper and mutton snapper hold deep at the rock base — finesse fishing in heavy current.
The Jupiter Lighthouse provides a stunning backdrop — one of the most photogenic fishing spots in Florida.
Tarpon stage in the inlet during late spring and summer — free-line live bait in the channel for fish over 100 lbs.