Fish , Fish Everywhere
The past few days have wound down the year in grand style with good catches of Pompano and some nice Redfish around the Mangroves as well as great numbers of ladyfish and a whole bunch of Spanish off the beaches ! The days are filled with plenty of action and some decent Quality with the Pompano and Reds !
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Offshore & Inshore Recent Catch Report
Monday, 12/15, on a cloudy morning in Estero Bay, I dodged a few rain sprinkles and fished with H.O. Brownback and Steve Aggunt. We did pretty well using live shrimp and caught five keeper-sheepshead to 16 inches and four keeper-mangrove snapper. We released smaller fish of both varieties. The rest of the week was pretty slow, as is typical in the lull before the holiday rush. I fished Estero Bay again on Saturday, 12/20, with Robert Haller, his wife, and his parents. We used shrimp to catch two keeper sheepshead to 15 inches, six keeper mangrove snapper, a 15 inch keeper black drum and a 14 inch keeper pompano. We released a trout, which is currently out of season. Monday, winds whipped in advance of a cold-front, but that didn’t bother us much fishing in lower Estero Bay. Bill Darkoch and his son, Justin, wanted to learn to fish the bay and scheduled a day of catch-and-release fishing. We used shrimp and released thirty sheepshead to 15 inches, twenty mangrove snapper, ladyfish and cravalle jack. With a small craft advisory in effect through Tuesday morning, I called my Tuesday anglers Monday night to let them know it would be rough offshore. But this hardy group of six from IL weren’t about to give up on their fishing plans. So I suggested we try the near-shore reefs, where seas would at least be tolerable. Paul & Celeste Luctenberg, son John, daughter Lindsay, and Bobby & Janet Cordoba withstood three to four foot seas even at the reefs all morning. But we had a good time using live shrimp to catch eighteen keeper mangrove snapper, all eleven and twelve inches, three twelve-inch lane snapper, and keeper triggerfish. We released lots of gag grouper shorts to 19 inches. Wednesday, Christmas Eve, I fished near-shore again, with winds still blowing pretty strong. Marshall and Connie Swain, their daughter Laura, and Laura’s fiancé, Ryan Shick, had a good time at the reefs catching snapper. We caught a dozen keeper lane snapper, eight keeper mangrove snapper to 12 inches, and a keeper triggerfish. We released gag grouper shorts to 21 inches (an inch less than legal-size) along with two goliath grouper estimated at 12 pounds and 17 pounds. December 25th and 26th were reserved for family events and, when I got back to fishing on Saturday, 12/27, winds were feisty once again. The bay was very shallow and not a very good option, so Jerry Spetzler and son, Andy, fished with me at the near-shore reefs, where the bite was finicky all morning. We caught mostly throw-backs, which included gag grouper shorts to 21 inches and small sheepshead and triggerfish. We managed a couple of keeper mangrove snapper and a couple of grunts. By the time I update this fishing report next weekend, I will be changing the dates to ’09 so happy New Year to all, in advance. The photo shown below is of angler Marvin Griescke with a 22 inch white margate, caught on a live shrimp on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter.
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
DECEMBER 24, 2008
INSHORE - The weekend weather was great and the fishing was the same. Lots of catch and release trout & snook being reported. As there was almost no wind and you could fish just about anywhere. Some of the best places were from Bear Point down to Middle Cove and from the Midway Road area down to the power lines Soft plastic baits in light colors worked the best. The sheepshead bite was great and they were being caught around any structure you could throw a shrimp at. Look around the Ft. Pierce Inlet for spanish mackerel, bluefish and plenty of jacks. If it’s redfish you are looking for then try the docks along north Indian River Drive around St. Lucie Village. Live shrimp or pieces of crabs will do the job. The anglers fishing from the catwalks of the South Bridge have been getting sandperch, snapper, sheepshead, black drum and a few croakers. These fish were caught on a live shrimp or a piece of fresh dead shrimp. The wins started blowing on Tuesday and hasn’t quit yet.
OFFSHORE - The same thing offshore and inshore — a good weekend of fishing. The sailfish bite has been in 100 feet of water to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they have been taking ballyhoo. Look for a good number of dolphin in 150 to 300 feet of water. Most of the dolphin were 15 pounds and under. I got a report from the angers on the boat Dropper that in that same area they got 2 wahoo to 40 pounds and several small tuna. The kingfish have been taking live bait just inside the Offshore Bar in 90 feet of water. The bottom fishing for snapper, grouper and a mix of other fish was good over the reefs and wrecks and both live and cut baits were working well. There is still plenty of spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks along the local beaches. Also, a good number of whiting have been reported but only a handful of pompano.
TEEN ANGLERS - After almost 3 months the Teen Anglers got to fish inshore on Sunday — 12-21-08. They caught a variety of fish and did bring back 16 fish for weigh in.
In the Middle School Division
1st place - Shane Surrency - Lincoln Park Academy - 2lb. 9oz. sheepshead
2nd place - Branson Troska - Lincoln Park Academy - 2lb. 2oz. sheepshead
3rd place - Helen Kinchen - Stuart Middle School - 1lb. 4oz. mangrove snapper
In the High School Division
1st place - Kalib Guettler - Westwood High - 3lb.8oz. sheepshead
2nd place - Tyler Moyher - Lincoln Park Academy - 1lb. 1oz. mangrove snapper
3rd - no fish weighed
Biggest fish of the tournament trophy went to Kalib Guettler for his sheepshead. The next inshore tournament for the Teen Anglers will be held on Jan. 25, 2009. If you would like more info on joining Teen Anglers or becoming a volunteer just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org Teen Anglers is a not for profit and everything is done by donations or volunteers.
BRAGGING BOARD - On Saturday Myles Tullis, his brother Bryce and their dad went out with me on a charter that Myles won at a recent Junior Teen Anglers tournament. Bryce caught his 1st redfish — a 24 incher and all three caught a good number of sheepshead. Myles caught the biggest one - 4lb. 3oz. They also caught a mix of other fish. Also, on Saturday I had a 2 boat charter and James Murray caught his 1st redfish. James and his brother Jack also caught a good number of sheepshead, a few snapper and the usual jacks and ladyfish. They were down from Michigan visiting their grandfather. Capt. Chris Nelson sent an e-mail stating that on Sunday while fishing near the Ft. Pierce Inlet he caught 2 flounder, spanish mackerel and bluefish. He went by the North Bridge and caught and released 3 gag grouper — all 18 inches and also 2 sheepshead. On Sunday I had Kalib Guettler on my boat for the Teen Anglers inshore tournament. Kalib caught 2 sheepshead and a redfish.
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call me at 772-2-10-5770. You can also reach e o the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
Winter Doings
Since the start of December we have seen the complete range of weather and the same with the fishing action.Numbers of Pompano and over 100 ladyfish every day if you wish to catch them. The wind has been up but the fish are there without regard to the cold or the wind.When the water gets cold the Pompano bite gets better and the ladyfish are simply lit up.Trout have been a little up and down but I have begun to see some Reds again. In addition the Sebastian river is full of Bass and some Tarpon and even some Snook if you spend the time and work a little with a DOA Shrimp
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
DECEMBER 19, 2008
INSHORE - The inshore fishing this week has improved along with the weather. There has been a lot of catch and release trout being caught from the Midway Road area down to the power lines. Top water baits have been working early in the morning and then switch to a soft plastic bait or a live shrimp as it gets later in the morning. Remember that snook season is closed until February 1st — but there has been good catch and release action being reported in the Ft. Pierce Inlet for anglers using live baits. I did have reports of a nice school of redfish just to the south of Bear Point on Tuesday morning. The only thing was that they were really feeding that much. The reds that were caught were feeding a pieces of cut up ladyfish. The action on the catwalks of the bridge has been good with sandperch, spanish mackerel, sheepshead and black drum in fairly good numbers and a few croakers and bluefish are in the mix. All of these fish were taking a live shrimp or a small greenie.
OFFSHORE - This is the time of year to catch that sailfish you have been waiting on. There has been a lot of action to the south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and starting in 95 feet of water. Most of the sails this week have been caught on ballyhoo. There are still plenty of dolphin being caught but, the action has been scattered from 65 to 300 feet of water. The dolphin have also been taking ballyhoo. The kingfish bite has been steady around the Offshore Bar for anglers trolling spoons or fishing a live bait. Most of the fish this week have been 15 to 25 pounds. The bottom fishing has also been good this week with snapper to 12 pounds being reported. Also, a few nice grouper to 25 pounds coming from the Bethel Shoals area. Along the beaches you can have all the fun you want playing with the spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks and pompano. Nothing is better than using light tackle for these fish.
TEEN ANGLERS - Once again after having to reschedule the inshore tournament for the Treasure Coast Teen Anglers we will try for this Sunday morning — December 21st. The Teen’s will meet at Jaycee Park in Ft. Pierce at 6;30am. Hopefully they will fish until noon and then have a weigh in. Look for the results next week. For more info on joining Teen Anglers or becoming a boat volunteer just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org Teen Anglers is a not for profit organization and everything is done by donation or by volunteers.
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
Happy Holidays!
Capt. Joe Ward
Cap. Joe’s River Charters
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Weather Tricky but Fishing Good
Another weather-front came through the area Sunday night, once again kicking up winds and seas. But, despite some choppy conditions, the fishing was good offshore Tuesday morning. I fished with Bill Story, Marvin Giescke and friends, Doc, Dave and Bernie, in 45 feet out of New Pass, using live shrimp. We caught twenty keeper mangrove snapper to 15 inches, five huge whitebone porgies to 18 inches, a 22 inch white margate and keeper triggerfish and porkfish. We released smaller triggerfish and lots of gags that were within ¼ inch of legal-size.
William Conklin, Dennis Baker and friends fished in 47 feet out of New Pass with me Wednesday. Winds were howling most of the day, but the worst of the next weather-front wasn’t on us yet. We had three to four foot seas most of the day. We did well with snapper again, catching nine keepers to 16 inches and releasing lots of smaller ones. We also caught a 20 inch pompano, a 14 inch hogfish, a couple keeper triggerfish, and also got into those big whitebone porgies again, catching eight of those to 17 inches. We used shrimp for all.
Thursday brought a new cold-front to the area, which was accompanied by steady rain and high winds. My planned inshore trip was rained out. The winds and rough seas persisted into Friday, and predictions for Saturday were somewhat better but still pretty rough offshore. I was concerned because I was scheduled to take a family fishing in the Gulf Saturday but, before the weather could officially cancel those plans, my clients called to say they were battling the flu and not coming down to visit this weekend. They were disappointed but I assured them that the weather would be far from ideal Saturday anyway—I hope that made them feel a little bit better. So, as it turns out, my four-trip week was reduced to two trips—I guess Mother Nature thought I needed a vacation.
The photo shown below is of angler Lynn Harned with a 17 inch mutton snapper, caught on a live shrimp on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter. 
South Indian River Fishing Report
December 12, 2008
INSHORE:
With all the cold and flu that goes around this time of year…..I finally got hit and it decked me out all week. No fishing….just bed and rest to try and shake this bug. And I am not one who enjoys just laying around! The fishing has been pretty good out there and anglers are catching a variety of fish. With the latest cold front upon us, the winds will be blowing most days this week.
Around the river, anglers are catching quite a few grouper while trolling along the channel edges north of Fort Pierce. Pompano fishing down around the power plant has remained consistent most days. The trout and redfish have continued to come in shallow as the sun warms up the water. We were finding them in one to three feet of water. Bridge anglers are still enjoying lots of sand perch, black drum and sheephead out on the catwalks. Ladyfish and jacks are everywhere! Mackerel, jacks and bluefish are around the inlet. I had some reports of snook catches, but most have been shorts of late with a few slots being taken. Remember……snook season CLOSES on December 15th and trout season won’t re-open until January 1st.
Tip of the Week: Windy Weather Fishing
We can expect some windy days so plan your trips around the direction of the wind and enjoy your adventure. Setting up your drifts by using the wind directions can give you more fishing time and less time worrying about keeping the boat positioned. Drifting a flat in a zigzag pattern can allow you to cover a larger area while letting mother nature assist you. Fish ahead of your drift or to either side of the boat. If using live bait, I like to use popping corks and fish them ahead and re-cast as you drift up on them. You can use a drift anchor to slow down or use a small mushroom anchor like I do. I drop the anchor and fish an area. After some casts, I lift the anchor and drift ahead a little and drop it again. When you start catching fish, just keep the anchor out and fish that area longer. Once you are finished with a drift, move back across the flat at an angle to give your next drift in waters that you have yet to fish. It’s an easy way to fish in windy conditions. Let the wind be your friend!
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
Clint Walker and myself with a couple recent trout catches on the Indian River flats…
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Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
DECEMBER 11, 2008
INSHORE - The inshore action has been okay this week which is usual for this time of year. The bridge fishermen are having a good time with plenty of sandperch, a few snapper, croakers and sheepshead. Most of these fish were caught on shrimp. The catch and release trout action has been good one day and slow the next — all depending on the wind. The spots to the south with the most reports this week were Bear Point, Big Mud Creek and the flats around Midway Road. To the north you will want to try around the spoil islands from the North Bridge to Round Island. Use a live shrimp or a soft plastic baits in light colors — these have been working the best. If you want to catch a snook before the season closes on the 15th try fishing in the Ft. Pierce Inlet on the out going tide with a live bait like a pinfish, pigfish or a mullet.
OFFSHORE - The offshore action has been good depending on the sea conditions — calm one day and rough the next. Lots of sailfish and dolphin being reported. The bite has been starting in 90 feet of water to both the north and south of the Ft, Pierce Inlet. The kingfish bite has also been steady in 50 to 70 feet of water anglers trolling Drone spoons. And, on the calm days the bottom fishing has been good for snapper, sea bass and a few grouper. Try the reefs in 90 feet of water with a piece of cut bait. And if you are just looking for a fun catch you will want to try the beaches along the Treasure Coast. They have been loaded with spanish mackerel and bluefish. These fish have been feeding on anything shiny like a small spoon. I have been getting reports of a few pompano along the beaches and they have been taking sand fleas.
BRAGGING BOARD - The Teen Angler of the Year - David Brashear of Vero Beach and his cousin - C.J. Swinford went offshore last week on the “B” with Capt. Al Bernetti. David caught his 1st dolphin and also released his 1st sailfish. C.J. also caught his 1st dolphin. They caught the dolphin in 100 feet of water and David caught his sailfish in 95 feet of water. David received this offshore trip as part of his prize package for winning the honor of Teen Angler of the Year.
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
SW FL-Bonita Beach: True Black Grouper & A Good Week of Fishing
A weather-front came through on Monday, 12/1, brought some rain, and left us with high winds and very rough seas. So Tuesday, Erwin and Millie Matusiak traded their offshore fishing plans for some backwater fishing in Estero Bay. We fished the shoreline with live shrimp and, while trying to stay sheltered from the cold north wind, we managed to catch seven keeper mangrove snapper and five nice sheepshead, the largest of which was 18 ½ inches. We also released a 16 inch redfish and a 20 inch snook. Wednesday morning, I fished a catch-and-release trip, along the edges of Estero Bay with David Hellberg and son, Matt. We had steady action all morning and released twenty-five sheepshead to 15 inches and twenty-five mangrove snapper, ten of which were keeper-size. We also released two 20 inch snook.
Rick Szymanski and Al Ortenzo fished offshore with me Thursday in calm waters (finally!) west of New Pass in 46 feet. We limited out on big mangrove snapper, catching twenty of those to 18 ¼ inches. We released gag and red grouper just short of legal size and some triggerfish. These bigger snapper are great fun to catch and great eating too.
Friday morning brought calm seas of less than one foot so, once anglers George Flanders and Mark Lyda heard about the good snapper-bite offshore, they changed their original plans to fish the backwaters and headed out about twenty miles with me. We fished in 47 feet with live shrimp and caught seventeen mangrove snapper to 17 inches, one keeper mutton snapper at 16 ½ inches, five keeper lane snapper measuring 11 and 12 inches, and a few whitebone porgies. We released lots of gag and red grouper shorts.
Leon Dargis and Bob Rose picked a great morning to fish offshore—it was smooth as glass Saturday morning in 47 feet, about 22 miles west of New Pass. 
We fished with live shrimp and caught our federal limit of twenty nice mangrove snapper (ten per angler), all between 14 and 18 inches. We released about thirty additional mangs. The big prize of the day was a keeper 23 inch true black grouper that weighed eight pounds. True blacks are a lot more unusual to catch around here than gag grouper are.
We had one gag grouper on the line too but, as we reeled it up, an eight-foot bull-shark bit it, leaving us with 18 inches of mangled gag grouper—I think it was a decent sized gag until the shark helped himself to more than his share. We also caught four keeper lane snapper to 13 inches, whitebone porgies to 14 inches, and released triggerfish and four mutton snapper up to 15 7/8 inches (just 1/8 inch short of keeper-size.) It was an excellent morning for offshore fishing.
The photo shown below is of angler Scott Kempfert with an 18 inch sheepshead, caught on a live shrimp on a recent inshore Fishbuster Charter.
South Indian River Fishing Report
December 5, 2008
INSHORE:
Fantastic weather and great fishing awaited anglers this week. Mild temperatures and winds provided us with some excitement on the water. In spite of cool water, the fish are out there feeding and it’s a great time of year to fish the Indian River.
Rich Dickerson was out with me this past week and we enjoyed lots of action early with ladyfish, trout and jacks and later in the day we chased redfish and Rich hooked a nice red until it got off. Josh Lukat, with brother, Kyle, and friend, Austin, came out to celebrate Josh’s Birthday. Once again we began the day with hoards of ladyfish, jacks and trout and the guys ended up their day with some nice trout and Kyle losing a slot redfish. Clint from the Fishing Center and I went out for a fun day of fishing. We found big reds and trout in the shallow water and boated several big trout to end up the day. There are some big fish out there on the flats!
Trout season is still close, but catch and release trout action has been hot lately. Big trout are in the shallow water as the sun warms things up. Redfish are also coming onto the flats as well. You can find them in one to three feet of water once things warm up out there. We used soft baits and MirrOLures to find some nice trout this week and even hook up with a few redfish. Snook are also patrolling the edges of the flats. Harbor Branch up north and any of the flats south towards the Power Plant have been good areas this week. Night anglers are still catching some slots and a good number of shorts this week. Don’t forget that snook season closes December 15th. You still have a few days to catch that slot!
If just fun is what you are looking for……there are large schools of ladyfish and jacks on the flats to keep your rod bending for hours. We have fished three to five feet of water when just wanting a little fun fishing this week. The inlet has held bluefish, mackerel and ladyfish in large numbers. Bridge anglers are still enjoying lots of sand perch, black drum, snapper and sheephead from the catwalks. Live or dead shrimp always get you some action around the bridges. Pompano have been along the surf and down by the power lines for those interested in some great table fare. Shrimp or sand fleas are the best baits for them. Not many reports of flounder yet, but everyone is anticipating their arrival. We had lots of exciting action out there!
Tip of the Week:
Jerk baits have been working great for us lately. Colors aren’t as important as working them properly. We have been slowly popping them along the bottom and letting them sit for a few seconds in between pops. Most hits have been of the drop or when it lies motionless on the bottom. DOA CAL jerk baits in rootbeer, silver mullet or green back colors have been our best producers this week. I use 1/16 or 1/8 oz. jig heads so they will easily work over the very shallow flats. Have some fun this week on the Indian River!
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
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Fishing Blog- Web Updates - Nov. 4, 2009
- Salmo Sting Review - Salmo Lures
- Salmo Chubby Darter Review - Salmo Lures
- Salmo Bullhead Review - Salmo Lures
- Salmo Hornet Review - Salmo Lures
- Shrimp Tease Review - Creme Lures
- Killer Diller Shrimp Review - Creme Lures
- Jerk N? Shrimp Review - Creme Lures
- Devil?s Tongue Review- Saltwater - Creme Lures
- Creme Shrimp Soft Plastic Lure Review - Creme Lures
