by Carla B. Mroz, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Contributing Writer
May is the perfect time to visit the Juno Beach Pier for great saltwater fishing!
Bring your bait and jigs to the pier and catch some pompano this month. Spanish mackerel will also be plentiful. and you can use lures and jigs. While you’re enjoying the breeze, keep an eye out for snook too (live and cut bait work best.) You might even hook jacks and blue runners, so use your lures and bait for those. Croakers, whiting and sand perch will all be caught with bait.
If you know an aspiring angler, Loggerhead Marinelife Center offers its year-round private Fishing Lessons for adults and children (ages 8 and up.) One-hour lessons are offered daily; scheduled based on availability. Cost: $25/angler (with own gear); $35/angler with rental gear. Bait not included. Contact Sue Thompson at sthompson@marinelife.org to register.
Sea turtle nesting season started March 1 and ends October 31. If you accidentally hook a sea turtle while at the pier, here’s what to do:
• Contact LMC’s 24-hour rescue hotline – (561) 603-0211
• Gently reel the slack line, keeping the turtle at the surface of the water so it can breathe
• Wait for LMC’s arrival to help
For LMC and Juno Beach Pier updates, follow our social media, visit marinelife.org, or call (561) 627-8280. The full-service Pier House features a snack bar as well as a variety of fishing tackle, including rental poles and bait.
Randy Yent, Pier Coordinator
Juno Beach Pier (561) 627-8280 Ext. 140
Facebook.com/junobeachpier • Instagram & Twitter:@junobeachpier