Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
INSHORE - Good reports from the inshore anglers this week. We had a lot of action from the spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks that are in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and around the local bridges. These fish have been taking just about any kind of bait however the best has been a 1/4oz. silver spoon. The bottom fishing remains steady for snapper, black drum, sheepshead and the croakers are starting to show up. All of these fish can be caught on a live shrimp. The snook fishing has also been good around the lighted docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. The top bait has a been finger mullet. And, I did have reports of some flounder showing up around the sand bars along the Inlet. Try using a live shrimp or a finger mullet.
OFFSHORE - The offshore conditions are still not the best for the smaller boats but, the bigger sport fishing boats are reporting some sailfish action starting in 100 feet of water. Most of the fish were caught on a ballyhoo. I also had reports of several nice wahoo in the 30 to 40 pound range and they were caught in 210 feet of water on a split tail mullet. Also, a few kingfish in 80 feet of water and I had a handful of cobia reported around the buoy’s and wrecks.
TEEN ANGLERS - When we arrived at the Jaycee Park boat ramp this morning there was a very stiff breeze and a very high tide. All the Teen Anglers and their family members had to remove their shoes and roll up their pants legs and wade out to the finger piers. The good thing is that the wind did lay down some as the morning went on and it was a beautiful sunny day! We had a total of 14 Teen Anglers fishing and they caught a total of 17 fish.
In the Middle School Division
1st place - Dylora Kohler - Southern Oaks Middle - 3lb. 14oz. redfish
2nd place - Lane Burton - St. Andrews - 2lb. 10oz. sheepshead
Michael Williams - Palm Pointe - 2lb. 10oz. redfish
3rd place - DJ Markowski - Forest Grove Middle - 2lb. 7oz. redfish
In the High School Division
1st place - Shane Surrency - Lincoln Park Academy - 13 oz. mangrove snapper
2nd place - Tyler Serio - Lincoln Park Academy - 9oz. mangrove snapper
3rd place - there were no other fish weighed in for the High School Division
Biggest fish of the tournament trophy went to Dylora Kohler for her redfish.
For more info on being a boat volunteer or joining Teen Anglers 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 reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
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
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
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
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
OCTOBER 1, 2009
INSHORE - The inshore fishing has slowed down some this week. The trout bite went from red hot to only a few fish being reported. Most of the reports came from anglers fishing at Bear Point and at Harbor Branch. Soft plastic baits in the dark colors has been the best. There are some small redfish being caught and released around the docks along South Indian River Drive. Try a live shrimp or a small crab. The snook bite has been good for anglers fishing the lighted docks in the Ft. Pierce Inlet after dark and it seems that a finger mullet has been the bait of choice. The number of snapper being caught has gone down but the size of the fish has gone up. I had reports of snapper to 3 pounds coming from along the channel edges to the north of the North Bridge. A small live white bait has been the best bait with a live shrimp coming in second.
OFFSHORE - The offshore fishing has also been on the slow side this week. The best action has been the kingfish and they are taking a slow trolled live baits in 20 to 70 feet of water. Mixed in with the kingfish you will also find bonita, cuda’s and sharks. I am still getting reports of scattered dolphin in 100 to 300 feet of water. They have been taking ballyhoo. There has also been a good number of blackfin tuna in that same area but, they have been fairly small. The news on the sailfish has been the same — lots of free jumpers and only a few hook ups in 100 feet of water tot he south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and most are taking ballyhoo. Look for plenty of sea bass, triggerfish and snapper over the reefs and wrecks.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - This Saturday — October 3rd is the regular scheduled from shore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Junior Teen Anglers. The Juniors will fish from 9 to 11am and then we will award trophies and goodie bags. If your child is between the ages of 5 and 11 and you would like for them to fish with the Junior Teen Anglers you can call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org for more info.
BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail from Robert Kinchen stating that he took his kids out on Saturday and that his son — Robert, Jr. out fished them all. He caught three nice sized snapper. It seems that Robert, Jr. and his sister Helen also caught a few mangrove trees and a channel marker platform. Robert went our by himself on Sunday and had a lot of small trout hitting a 2 inch sliver spoon. He went down to Walton Road and on his first cast with a live finger mullet he had a snook slam it. It wrapped a piling and broke off. He also said there were a lot of redfish down there.
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 reach me on the we at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
INSHORE - Fishing has been good inshore for the anglers that were fishing between the rain storms — both in the morning and afternoon. Plenty of trout has been reported this week at just about any place you found schools of glass minnows. The bait of choice has been soft plastic baits in the dark colors. The snook fishing remains good in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Try drifting a live bait. Along the channel edges there is still a good snapper bite along with black drum and sheepshead. All of these fish are taking a live shrimp. Looking for a redfish with all the high tides has been hard. I did get a report of redfish up around the Queen’s Cove area on the low tide and the fish were taking small crabs.
OFFSHORE - The ocean conditions this week haven’t been the best but, the boats that are going are saying that the fishing has been pretty good. The kingfish are hitting on live baits in 30 to 70 feet of water. Most of the fish were under 30 pounds. Look for the dolphin to be scattered in 90 to 170 feet of water and they are taking live baits or a trolled ballyhoo. And, again this week there has been a lot of sailfish sighting to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet in 100 feet of water. Most of the hook ups are on ballyhoo. I have been getting reports of some small tuna — mostly under 5 pounds and taking ballyhoo in that same area as the sailfish. The bottom fishing has been a little tough with the sea conditions but still a few reports of snapper, sea bass and trigger fish. Fish over the reefs and wrecks in 50 to 90 feet of water. Look for spanish mackerel, jacks and sharks around the schools of bait fish along the beaches.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - The next from shore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Junior Teen Anglers is scheduled for Saturday — October 3rd at Harbour Point Park. The Juniors will fish from 9 to 11am and then we will award trophies and goodie bags. For more info on joining Junior Teen Anglers you can call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
BRAGGING BOARD - On Saturday - September 19th Maxwell Higgins had a good day of fishing. After catching and releasing 5 small snook and a redfish Maxwell caught a 5lb. 10oz. tripletail. He was fishing to the south of the power lines and using a 7ft.m/h rod with 20 pound mono and a 25 pound fluorocarbon leader with a jig head and a live shrimp. He said it was a great catch and even better dinner. Maxwell is a member of the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers.
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward1160@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
SEPTEMBER 17, 2009
INSHORE - There has been plenty of action around the flats with the start of the mullet run. Look for the snook, trout, jacks and ladyfish to all be feeding on the mullet. Try the west side of the river just south of the South Bridge. I m getting good reports of snook in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they are taking live baits — however most of the snook have been over the slot. The redfish bite is also improving at places like Queen;s Cove and Round Island. Try a gold spoon or a piece of cut up ladyfish for the best results. There has been plenty of snapper around both the North & South Bridges as well as along the channel edges of the Intercoastal. A live shrimp or a small greenie are working the best.
OFFSHORE - There are still a lot of kingfish around in 20 to 60 feet of water and most of the fish are in the 12 to 25 pound range and taking live baits. There are still some cobia being reported around the buoys and over the reefs and wrecks but, they have had a lot of pressure over the last two weeks. Looks for the rays. I did have a few wahoo reported this week in about 280 to 300 feet of water to the south of the power plant. I did get quite a few reports of sailfish free jumping but not eating a lot. They reported them in about 100 feet of water. The bottom fishing for snapper, grouper, aj’s and smaller reef fish has been good
when fishing over the reefs and wrecks.
TEEN ANGLERS - Last Sunday was the first inshore fishing tournament of the new season for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers. The Teen’s caught a variety of fish which included snapper, snook, trout and black drum.
Middle School Division
1st place - Austin Doyle - Renaissance Charter School - 7lb. 6oz. snook
2nd place - Ariel Vance - Charter School of Ft. Pierce - 3lb. 9oz. redfish
3rd place - Dylora Kohler - Southern Oaks Middle School - 3lb. 6oz. black drum
High School Division
1st place - Shane Surrency - Lincoln Park Academy - 2lb. 3oz. snapper
2nd place - Taylor Meding - St. Lucie West Centennial High - 1lb. 10oz. trout
3rd place - Austin Barnard - Vero Beach Freshman Learning Center - 14oz. snapper
Biggest fish of the tournament went to Austin Doyle for his snook.
The next inshore tournament is scheduled for Sunday — October 18th with the mandatory meeting on Saturday — October 17th. If you would like 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 reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
INSHORE - The first week of snook season was good for a lot of anglers with slot size snook coming from the Ft. Pierce Inlet and the local bridges. The finger mullet have started to show up and this has been the best bait this week. I also had reports of over the slot size fish coming from the same areas. Around the flats there are still plenty of trout being reported at Bear Point, Midway Road area and the old stand by — Harbor Branch. Most of the keeper trout were caught on a live shrimp. If you want to hook up with a big fish — try a live mullet and fish down at Big Mud Creek at daylight. There have been 100 pound tarpon there and they have been taking the live mullet. The bottom fishing along the channel edges has been good for snapper, sheepshead, black drum, jacks and ladyfish. All of these fish are taking live shrimp.
OFFSHORE - This past week it has been all about the cobia. With the big rays showing up — along comes the cobia. The area between 10 & 12A Buoys has been the hottest. The fish are hitting on live baits as well as artificial. Cobia to 60 pounds were reported but most of the fish were between 20 & 25 pounds. Still a lot of kingfish in the 40 to 60 foot range and they are also hitting on live baits. We did have one wahoo come into the docks on Sunday and it was a 40 pounder. It was caught in 280 feet of water. The bottom fishing remains good over the reefs and wrecks for sea bass, snapper and triggerfish. And as always there is plenty of sharks and bonita to keep you busy.
TEEN ANGLERS - This Sunday — September 13th will be the first inshore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers. They will have a mandatory meeting on Saturday and then fish on Sunday. There will be trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the middle and high school divisions. Also, a trophy for biggest fish of the tournament. For more info on Teen Anglers you can call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
BRAGGING BOARD - On Sunday Christopher King caught a 40 pound wahoo in 280 feet of water out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. On Friday Pam & Bill Lawson each caught a keeper snook. Pam’s was 29 inches and Bill’s was 31 & 1/2. Both were caught while fishing in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. On Sunday Pam, Brock & Bill Lawson each caught a cobia in 50 feet of water while fishing the manta rays out of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Brock’s cobia was a 35 pounder. The coba hit on live baits and also on a bucktail jig in the blue/white color and also in the yellow/red color. On Saturday Clifton Jenkins caught a 57 pound cobia in 40 foot of water while drifting a live mullet. On Monday Kaitlyn Ward - age 4 caught her 1st cobia with a little help from her dad - Rob Ward. They were fishing in 40 feet of water and using a live bait. Kaitlyn’s cobia weighed 20 pounds.CATCH OF THE WEEK - Congrats go out to Justin King & his family. While his parents — Christopher & Debbie King were here in Ft. Pierce catching a 40 pound wahoo — Justin was planning his engagement to Ruth George – he even send a pic of the ring to his parents. On Tuesday night Justin proposed and Ruth said yes! Justin & Ruth live in Indian Trails, NC. This was worth missing a fishing trip with his dad!
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call em at 772-201-5770. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’ River Charters
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
INSHORE - This week snook season opened and a lot of the reports were about the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Anglers who were drifting live baits in the Inlet on the tide changes are catching nice upper slot fish — 30 to 32 inches but, even more fish are over the slot — fish up to 40 inches. Along with the snook I did get reports of a good number of big redfish mixed in and taking live baits. Snook fishing around the bridges started off a little slow with most of the action coming from around the fenders of the North Bridge. Again, a live bait has worked the best. On the flats the docks along Indian River Drive have been producing some slot fish and a lot of under sized fish. A top water bait fished early in the morning has accounted for most of the fish. As for the rest of the inshore action – it has been about the same. The trout action remains good on the flats right after first light and the snapper bite along the channel edges remains steady. Also, a few tarpon around Big Mud Creek.
OFFSHORE - The dolphin action has been a little on the slow side. The fish that have been reported are coming from 200 to 400 feet of water and hitting ballyhoo. I am still getting reports of a few nice cobia around the buoys and over the reefs. Most f he fish were caught on a live bait or squid. There is a lot of kingfish, bonita and cuda’s in 30 to 90 feet of water and hitting ballyhoo a live baits. And, the bottom fishing has been steady over the reefs and wrecks.
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - Last Saturday - August 29th was the first from shore fishing tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Junior Teen Anglers. Most to everyone’s surprise it turned out to be a snapper and blue runner tournament.
In the 5 to 8 age group
1st place - Neeley Bankston - Allapattah Flats K - 8
2nd place Andrew Evans - Fairlawn Elementary
3rd place - Cash Roe - Samuel S. Gaines K - 8
In the 9 to 11 age group
1st place Thomas Roop - F.K. Sweet
2nd place - Laine Pruitt - Fairlawn Elementary
3rd place - Mikey Hazellief- Home Schooled
Biggest fish of the tournament — Mikey Hazellief
All Junior’s received a goodie bag. The next tournament will be on Oct. 3rd. For more info you can call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org.
BRAGGING BOARD - I got an e-mail and picture from Don Tatum. He was visiting here a couple of weeks ago and caught a 49 pound cobia in 25 feet of water. He was using a live bait.
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 reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
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Fishing Blog- Web Updates - Nov. 4, 2009
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- Shrimp Tease Review - Creme Lures
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