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