INSHORE - The flats have been active this week with plenty of trout being reported just after daylight and they have been taking top water baits. There has been some big trout in the 8 to 10 pound range being reported and they have been caught on live pigfish. The snapper bite along the channel edges has been up and down with most of the fish feeding on live shrimp. Look for the redfish in the shallow water around the Spoil Islands or around the docks. I did have a few reports of some nice sized tripletail showing up to the south of the Power Lines. Also, some big pompano in the 2 to 4 pound range have been up on the flats in that same area. The tarpon are showing up around the Ft. Pierce Inlet, in the Turning Basin and in the Intercoastal but they have been feeding very little.
OFFSHORE - The fishing has been steady until Tuesday when the ocean kicked back up with the seas running 3 to 5 and making it hard for the smaller boats to fish. Look for kingfish in the 40 to 70 foot range and they have been taking slow trolled live baits. The dolphin have been scattered in water as shallow as 45 feet and out as deep as 500 feet. I had reports of some nice size cobia in the 25 to 40 pound range being caught by anglers who were bottom fishing. The snapper and grouper bite has been good up around Bethel Shoals. Look for big jacks and tarpon along the beaches.
If you would like to report a catch, call me at 772-201-5770 or e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com.
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters