West Palm Beach

[Mcartpath]

I'm heading to the west palm area for a family visit the last week of October. could anyone help out with spots for bank or beach fishing? Will the mullet run still be happening? I mostly like to flyfish but will have a spinning rod as well. I will have a car so pretty mobile. I've fished the beach in jupiter a few times but it's seemed pretty hit or miss. Most of the lakes seem like they are private or don't have places to park. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

[zachb34]

That's where I live so I can give you a good idea of where to start. Are you hoping to catch one of those "big Florida bass" or just some numbers. Maybe some peacocks? Snakehead? I won't be too helpful on any saltwater species since I barely fish that. Welcome to the Forums.

[Mcartpath]

Thanks, peacocks and big bass idealy! But I'd take any of those options. I've fished a couple housing development ponds off of Jog rd caught lots of bass but nothing really very big. Do you catch peacocks up by Wellington?

[Team Johnson]

For fresh water.  If you can get down to Loxahatchee preserve they have some pretty good bass, snakehead and catfishing.  They rent out canoe's and kayaks and offer a pretty cool eco adventure.  While you are there you can check out George the alligator.  He's a big boy and lives right under the dock.

As for the beach, Jap rock is the place to go.  It's located just north of Spanish River Blvd and A1A.  You can park on the bridge and walk the beach to get the rocks.  There is a small patch of coral reef about 10 feet off the shore and we have caught lemon sharks, large jacks, blue fish, etc.  There is a guy on youtube that has caught some really big hammerheads from that area as well.  I have never gotten skunked out there.  We always catch something.  For bait, you can use sand fleas for the pompano.  Pilchards, sardines and squid strips if you keep them off of the bottom.  

[Team Johnson]

For peacock bass Lake Ida is the spot....  Wellington has some in the smaller canals but Lake Ida is where you want to go.

[SirSnookalot]

October is about the best fishing month down here, can't say the mullet will still be running that late.  The duration and intensity does vary year to year.

I salt water fish every day year round, quite familiar with most of the beaches between Jap Rock and Hobe sound.  I live 5 minutes from Lake Ida and target peacocks quite a bit, fishing from shore I like the canals better for peas,  especially near bridges and culverts.

Since you'll be in WPB I'd be heading north towards Hobe sound and Juno, lots of free parking right off the beach, one of the better fishing areas, may even get redfish and take your flyrod for sure.  Jap rock is a pretty fare drive form WPB, there are parking meters now on Spanish River rd.  It can be a very good beach but more hit and miss than further north.  A very good spot is crossing over the Flager bridge into Palm Beach, you can park off the walking and bike path along side the ICW, that's area is noted for 20-40# jacks, I can attest to that.

October is about the best time for inshore fishing in South Florida.