South Indian River Fishing Report 11/6
November 6, 2009
INSHORE:
I usually talk about windy weather in March, but here we are in November and we have windy conditions throughout the Treasure Coast and it appears to be here for several days. The fishing has been very good out there, but few anglers have been able to brave the choppy waters to give it a try. I managed a day out earlier in the week, but had to cancel the last couple of days with small craft advisories out.
The pompano bite has been good and I found some early in the week that were feeding under the ladyfish and jacks. They have been nice size in the 15 - 18 inch range. Live shrimp, sand fleas, DOA shrimp or Doc’s Goofy Jigs can get you some action on a very tasty fish this time of year. There are also pomps along the beach when it is fishable. Snook fishing around the inlet has continued to be productive on the tide changes and at night. Live mullet, Bait Busters and feather jigs are all good choices for snook. If you are fishing around the spillways, try the Bait Busters or TerrorEyz for good results. Redfish reports were mostly north of Fort Pierce around the Moorings. It’s a tough place to fish this week though. Trout season is closed, but the bite had been very good. Release the fish carefully and handle them as little as possible.
Bridges have held snapper, black drum and sheephead with a few reports of some sand perch moving into the inlet. The river is overrun with jacks and ladyfish and lots of fun for the kids and young at heart. I found lots of tarpon at first light around the turning basin earlier in the week. Live mullet will be your best bet at coaxing one into striking. Bluefish have been hanging around the mouth of the inlet along with big jacks, tarpon and snook. It’s a great time of year to fish……just a little challenging this week.
Please take a moment and keep one of my good fishing buddies, who is also a cousin, in your thoughts. Tom Hull has accompanied me on many scouting trips to try out new lures, try new fishing areas and just help me enjoy a day on the water. He was diagnosed with cancer this summer and has been going through treatments since then. I haven’t been able to get him out fishing since August and look forward to having a chance to take him out one day soon. He truly loves to fish and I miss him being on the water. Thanks for thinking of him!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
NOVEMBER 5, 2009
INSHORE - We had good reports of trout and redfish over the weekend and before the winds started blowing and trout season closed on November 1st. The trout were around Herman’s Bay and feeding on soft plastic baits like a D.O.A. Terroreyz or a live finger mullet. Remember that the trout are catch and release only. Look around the docks along Indian River Drive for the redfish. A small crab or a jumbo live shrimp will be your best bet. The snook fishing remains good along the docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and a live shrimp has been hard to beat. I did have reports of some small tarpon that were also working in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and in the Turning Basin and they were feeding on live mullet when they did eat. Around the area bridges you can look for snapper, black drum and plenty of jacks and they all are feeding on live shrimp.
OFFSHORE - Again, before the wind started blowing from the NE and the sea conditions got bad I did have good reports from the weekend about the dolphin bite. There was a good number of dolphin to 15 pounds coming from 180 to 200 feet of water and they were taking ballyhoo. There was also a good cobia bite around both the 10 & 12A Buoys. Most of the fish were caught on Red Tail Hawks. The kingfish action was still steady in 60 to 80 feet of water, The bottom fishing for snapper, grouper and aj’s has been good and they were taking live baits. And as always there are plenty of bonita and cuda’s to take your bait.
BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail and picture from Greg May about a trip he took offshore on Sunday. He reported that they came upon a school of cobia at the 10-A Buoy and they had 6 hits and landed 2. Greg had Adam & Mike Ball on the boat and they landed a 20 pounder and a 16 pounder.
If you want to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call me at 772-201-5770. You can also visit me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
South Indian River Fishing Report 10/29
October 29, 2009
INSHORE:
Warm fall weather has been the norm lately along the Treasure Coast. Light winds have allowed anglers to enjoy the great fishing action around the Indian River. Lots of baitfish all over the river this time of year makes it a fantastic time to fish. There is some great action all over the area, so plan on a fishing adventure soon!
Trout fishing continues to be the best bite all along the river. Jim Kosko, son, Brennan, and his friend, Grey was out with me earlier in the week. The guys battled with some snook around the docks, losing several big fish. We headed north of Fort Pierce and fished the grass flats for trout. Lots of trout continue to feed around the bait schools in two to five feet of water. The trout were waiting on the guys and along with some snook, ladyfish and jacks, they had a busy morning of fishing the Indian River flats. Brennan and Grey had a great time catching fish. DOA Deadly Combos or live shrimp will keep you busy reeling during the fall months. Harbor Branch, Bear Point and Queen’s Cove continue to yield good amounts of good size trout.
Snook fishing around the inlet has been good on the high end of the tides and at night. James Herta sent me an email and photo of his first slot snook (29″). He caught it on a Mirr-O-Lure along the Stuart Causeway. Lots of tarpon continue to feed the inlet at night. The bluefish are along the jetties and invading the river for their share of the spoils. Spanish mackerel are spreading around the river and the turning basin will soon provide some great action for anglers. Pompano are along the surf and lots of fish are being caught south of Fort Pierce on the deeper flats. Redfish are being caught around the docks in the river. Bridge anglers are eagerly awaiting that first sign of the sand perch bite. There is action all over the river, so get out fishing soon!
Tip of the Week:
Just a reminder that trout season is closed November and December each year. Everyone is always attuned to snook season, but many forget about the closing of trout season. Catch and release is very important to trout. A de-hooker can reduce handling the fish for a quick release. The season will re-open on January 1st. Vermilion snapper will also go out of season on November 1st in the Atlantic and re-open on April 1st. It is important to keep track of seasons and sizes of fish. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse to possess an illegal fish.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
South Indian River Fishing Report 10/23
October 23, 2009
INSHORE:
As our first winter front blew into the area, reminders of things to come was sure in my mind. A cold front followed by windy days made it challenging for sure. We did manage to get out a few days later this week and skirted most of the wind to fish around the river. The weekend looks much more favorable, so plan to get out now that this front has finally calmed down.
The trout bite continues to be the best around the river. John, Tom and Jeff were out with me on Thursday and we found a great trout bite later in the morning. Lots of trout, a couple reds and a variety of other fish kept them busy once the bite took off. Larry, from West Palm, and Richard, from Oklahoma, were out with me today and after a couple of spots, the trout bite again turned on for us. Live shrimp, DOA Deadly Combos, and CAL jerk baits kept our reels busy on the trout flats. There are some big gators out there, too. Richard had three on that ended up getting the best of him. We did boat a number of good trout in the 18 - 22 inch class. Bear Point, Queen’s Cove and Round Island are all good areas to get in on the trout action.
The inlet has been busy with mutton snapper. While most are undersize, many bigger fish have been taken. Not a lot of snook report with the windy conditions, but they are out there feeding, too. Pompano and Spanish mackerel have invaded the river. Captain Chris Nelson sent me a report of skipping just south of Fort Pierce. The deeper flats from the south bridge down to the power plant will be holding pompano. Spanish mackerel have been in the inlet and turning basin and also just south of Fort Pierce in the deeper flats. We hooked up on a nice Spanish on the Deadly Combo this week. It’s a great time of year to fish!
Tip of the Week:
We are getting into that breezy time of year when most days will bring some kind of windy weather. Using the wind to your advantage can also help in your fishing. Drifting the flats can give you the opportunity to fish a larger area to find the fish bite. Both days this week, we would start near the lee side of the land and let the wind drift us across the flats. Each time we found that trout would be feeding in certain parts of the flats. With each drift, we would move a little north or south of the last one. Once the bite stops, move back again. You can fish big areas and once you find a good bite, it’s easy to anchor in the productive areas. I seldom anchor up to fish. I have went to an area that had a good bite one day and nothing the next. By using a drift method, you will many times find that the fish are there, but just in another part of the flat that day. It works!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Ft.Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
OCTOBER 22, 2009
INSHORE - Not a lot to report his week due to the windy conditions but, I did get a few repots of trout down around Bear Point and up around the Round Island area — these are places you could get out of the wind. Most of the trout were caught on soft plastic baits like a D.O.A. shrimp fished slow in 3 to 5 feet of water. I also had good reports of snook in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they were taking Red Tail Hawks on the tide changes. The local bridges are still holding some nice size black drum and snapper.Your best choice of baits is a small live shrimp.
OFFSHORE - Last weekend were the last reports I received — again due to the weather sea conditions. The reports were pretty good for dolphin to 25 pounds and they were taking ballyhoo. The bite was in 70 to 200 feet of water. There was a very good sailfish bite to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and it started in 100 feet of water. The sails were also taking ballyhoo. On Saturday I did have a 35 pound wahoo come into the docks and they said it was caught in 280 feet of water and also on a ballyhoo. The bottom fishing for snapper and grouper was also good when fishing over the reefs in 15 to 80 feet of water. On the deeper wrecks there was a good AJ bite.
TEEN ANGLERS - The monthly inshore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers was rescheduled for this Saturday — October 24th. The Teen’s will meet at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce at 6:30am and fish until noon. For more info on Teen Anglers you can call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call me at 772-201-5770. You can also visit me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Nice Kings, Bonito, Shark, Snapper & Trout
Seasonal business is just beginning to pick up around here, though most of the recently reserved dates are for later this month and into next. I did get offshore Saturday, 10/10 with long-time customers Jerry and Barb Rudan, from Wisconsin. We headed out of New Pass to about 18 miles, but it was slow going heading out in sloppy seas. Predictions were for one-footers, and it did eventually calm to about that, but the trip out was definitely not that calm. We used live shrimp to catch a lot of different fish but many of our catches were frustratingly just short of keeper-size. We released red groupers that were as little as one eighth of an inch short of legal. The same was true of many yellowtails and mangrove snapper. Triggerfish were abundant and would have been keepers prior to the regulation change, which now demands 14-inch minimum, so we released those too, along with lots of ladyfish. On the bright side, we did manage to catch a mess of keeper-sized snapper too—mangs, lanes and yellowtail, as well as Spanish mackerel.
David Koenigsmark, son Adam, and father-in-law, Hubert, fished offshore with me Thursday, 10/15. We had a full-day so we headed out 37 miles west of New Pass to 74 feet. David had fished with me this summer, but we were bayside to accommodate his younger son. This time, he wanted his fourteen-year old son to have some offshore adventure. We caught a variety of fish, some of them pretty good size, which included a 34 inch king mackerel, a 28 inch king, whose tail was bitten off as Adam reeled him in by a huge barracuda, a 3 ½ foot sharpnose shark, a very large stingray, and an 8-pound bonito. We kept the kingfish and released the shark, stingray and bonito. We also caught some good table-fare—lane snapper, mangrove snapper and yellowtail snapper—all keeper-sized, though we released all the lanes and a few mangs, as we already had plenty of fish, and also released lots of grouper shorts. At one point, we spotted about fifteen large mahi-mahi, right beside the boat—we had just arrived and weren’t rigged up yet, and they spooked and swam off.
Sunday morning, 10/18, I had planned to fish offshore with Dan Wampler, son, Barry, and eleven-year-old grandson, Max. The weather, however, had other ideas, as our first real cool-front came through the area, bringing not only much cooler temperatures, but also stiff winds and rough seas offshore. Dan and family decided to brave the cold morning temps and fish in the calmer waters of the bay. We stayed as sheltered from the wind as possible, and used live shrimp along the mangrove shoreline to catch five keeper sand bream and nine keeper mangrove snapper. We released small sheepshead and two small snook.
As the winds continued to be strong and seas rough offshore on Monday, Chester Yanik, son Mark, and friends Jim Basara and Tom Murphey also swapped their offshore plans for two days of inshore fishing in Estero Bay. Monday, we caught a dozen keeper-mangrove snapper out of twenty-five total mangs, and four keeper-sheepshead out of a bunch of sheepies caught. We released the smaller snapper and sheepshead, along with a 16-inch snook. We were fishing with shrimp and small bait- fish along the shoreline, wherever were able to stay somewhat sheltered from the winds. Tuesday, the same group caught a bunch of trout–about 30 throw-backs measuring 14-15 inches–and they kept three nice trout that were 16 inches, along with keeper mangrove snapper. We released four redfish to 17 inches, an Atlantic spadefish, and a 3 1/2-foot bonnethead shark. We fished mostly in areas behind Ft. Myers Beach, using live shrimp and popping corks for the trout and reds.
The photo shown is of angler Mike Page, with an 18-inch sheepshead, caught on shrimp on a recent trip.
South Indian River Fishing Report 10/16
October 16, 2009
INSHORE:
We have enjoyed lots of great fishing around the Treasure Coast this week. Maybe not a lot of big fish, but plenty of action to keep rods bending in all directions. Hoards of baitfish around the river has the fish gorging themselves on the easy meals. We have caught a variety of species and have lots of fun out there!
While trout have continued to bite well on the flats, the big news has been that the pompano have shown up in the river. Anglers have been waiting for the tasty fish to come back to the area for winter. Start looking in three to six feet of water along the edges of the flats and you can have some great dinner fare. Live shrimp, sand fleas or pompano jigs are the best options. Doc’s Goofy Jigs are very popular this time of year and pink has been a favorite color.
There are some big fish around some of the docks to the south of Fort Pierce. Harper and Dave had one on for a short time before getting spooled by one of the big boys. We found snook around the docks while Mitch and Brianna were out with me. A DOA TerrorEyz will find the fish around the docks. Pat and Dalton Wells were down and I have never seen so much activity around the river as that day. As far as you could see in any direction, bait was being crashed by just about every species on the river. It was an amazing day for all of us. 13 year old, Dalton, caught fish till his arms were worn out. We ended the week by taking Grandma Eva and our two grandkids, Chloe and Brody out for an afternoon on the water. Four year old, Chloe, ended her day with two fish that kept her busy reeling.
Trout on the flats in two to five feet of water on both live shrimp and Deadly Combos are consistent from Round Island to the Power Plant. Redfish reports have been mostly to the north near Round Island and south towards Midway Road. Snook and tarpon around the jetties have provided good fishing at night on live bait or diving plugs. Snapper and black drum are still being caught around the bridges and channel edges. Ladyfish and jacks are just about anywhere you drop a line. It’s been an exciting week for us on the river.
Tip of the Week:
As the pompano continue to migrate to our area, it’s a great time of year to surf fish. Seems like anglers will be sitting around being bored on the beach until a school of pomps come cruising through and everyone hooks up at once. Get some sand fleas or shrimp and head down to the beach. These fish put up a good battle and are excellent tasting when broiled or grilled. They are simple to clean. I generally just cut off the head and remove the organs. This give you all the meat with no waste. When grilling I simply cut some slits in the skin and baste it with lemon, garlic and butter as it slowly grills. Get out there fishing soon and try some pompano!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
South Indian River Fishing Report 10/7
October 7, 2009
INSHORE:
It has been a lot of fun on the water this week. Action has been good, especially for the trout bite. Each time out there has produced lots of trout on the flats. We have fished both north and south of Fort Pierce with the same results. Deeper water on the edges of the flats has held lots of fish. Find the bait schools and you will find the fish hanging around there. It’s been a good week!
Todd and Lauren were down again, They caught a lot of fish and lost a couple big ones, too. A good variety of fish were to be had from lookdowns to gag grouper. I was out with Pat and Dalton for a weekend of fishing. We caught trout and redfish among our catch. Most fish came along the edges of the flats in two to five feet of water. Live shrimp or DOA shrimp will get you plenty of action out there. CAL jerk baits have also been very productive on the flats. Docks are holding big jacks, redfish and snook. Top water early, followed by DOA TerrorEyz are great lures for dock action.
Snook fishing around the inlet has been good, with lots of tarpon action at night on the jetties. Some good reports of bigger snapper around the jetties as well lately. Bridges are holding black drum and snapper. The turning basin is still boiling with ladyfish, blue runners and jacks. It’s a free-for-all on the high tide. Fishing has been great and will continue as the baitfish fill the river. Plan on getting out soon!
Tip of the Week:
Lots of hungry anglers are gearing up for pompano season. Some recent reports of pompano along the beaches this week will have many surf anglers out in search for the tasty fish. There are many lures, rigs and baits to use, but sand fleas have always been the favorite on the beach. As the water begins to cool off in fall, the pompano begin their journey along the surf. The river will be active with schools of pomps patrolling along the flat edges. Have a rod rigged and ready for them as you fish the river. You just never know when you might run upon a school. Pompano season isn’t far off!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
OCTOBER 8, 2009
INSHORE - The trout fishing is back to red hot this week with plenty of fish in 3 to 5 feet of water both to the north and south in the river. The top bait has been a live shrimp or live greenies but a soft plastic bait like a D.O.A. Shrimp will do just fine. I did have reports of a few slot size redfish along the docks of South Indian River Drive down past the power lines. They were taking live finger mullet. The snook bite remains steady in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and around the area bridges. A live mullet or a live croaker are the number one baits right now. The snapper bite along the channel edges has slowed down but the fish that are being caught are good size - 1 to 2 &1/2 pounds. The snapper are taking live shrimp or small white baits. Also, along the channel edges and at the bridges is a pretty good black drum bite with fish to 8 pounds being reported. Most of the drum are feeding in live shrimp or crabs.
OFFSHORE - The reports of dolphin are still slow coming in with only a few fish reported each day. The fish have been scattered from 70 to 400 feet of water and taking ballyhoo — both naked and skirted in yellow/green. There have been a lot of reports of kingfish in 60 to 90 feet of water and they have been taking live baits if you are lucky enough to find some. If not just net up some live mullet before you go offshore. I am getting more reports of sailfish to the south in 100 feet of water and they are taking a trolled ballyhoo. The bottom fishing over the reefs and wrecks has been good for snapper, sea bass, AJ’s, triggerfish and plenty of cuda’s.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - Last Saturday — October 3rd was the from shore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Junior Teen Anglers. The Juniors caught a record 58 fish during the 2 hour tournament.
In the 5 to 8 age group
1st place - Taylor Roop - F. K. Sweet - Ft. Pierce
2nd place - Leah Pruitt - Fairlawn Elem. - Ft. Pierce
3rd place - Andrew Evans - Fairlawn Elem. - Ft. Pierce
In the 9 to 11 age group
1st place - Thomas Roop - F. K. Sweet - Ft. Pierce
2nd place - Laine Pruitt - Fairlawn Elem. - Ft. Pierce
3rd place - Dylan Brewer - Parkway Elem. - Port. St. Lucie
Biggest fish of the tournament went to Robert Kinchen - Morningside Elem. - Port St. Lucie.
The next from shore tournament will be held on Saturday - December 5th at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. For more info call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
If you would like to report a catch you can -mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call me at 772-201-5770. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
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Fishing Blog- Web Updates - Nov. 4, 2009
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